MY demo kit weighs...

7378 Views 66 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Mike M, Aug 13, 2008

David Gretzmier

Discussion Starter · Aug 8, 2008

I gotta tell you, I am developing a love/hate relationship with my demo kit. the more I use it, the more jobs I get, which i am thrilled to say i have picked up 3 landscape light jobs in the past week, after doing 6 demo's. after a dead time of a month, I am happy to be doing at least part time lighting work again before the big christmas light work starts September 15.

my love hate thing goes like this- I love having 4 75 ft runs of multi-plug cord, 20 brass mr-16 uplights, 5 deck lights with clamps, 2 600 watt trans, and a few paths and a few extension cords. really everything you need for a decent medium home demo.

my hate thing is weight. I have maxed out 2 very large ice chests on wheels w/ collapsable handles ( like luggage) , and I keep the paths and deck lights in a seperate box. each ice chest easily weighs 65-75 lbs, and I am tired of loading and unloading these things in the back of my truck.

I know that firefly does awesome demo's, and probably easily doubles the weight of mine, but I am also curious about the rest of you guys- what do you bring and how do you lug it around? how much time do you give yourself to setup, bid and load back up a demo? I am taking about 35-45 minutes to setup, 15-20 to write out and bid, and 20-25 minutes to load up and go home. all by myself. some demo's take longer if the customer wants me to move around lights, but a single demo typically takes me from 7:30 pm leave house time to around 9:30-10:30 get back home time at this time of year. February is much easier as you can get there at 4:30 pm and be back home by 6:30 pm. let me know if my experience is normal, or what you guys are doing different.

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TPnTX

· #61 · Aug 11, 2008

demo kit envy :drinkup:

irrig8r I can see you side for not spending your evenings making as much money as someone say like uh... the lighting geek. of course I've been wrong before.

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irrig8r

· #62 · Aug 12, 2008

Just came across this Stanley box while looking for other Stanley products on the HD website for $80.

FatMax Mobile Work Station
Model 20800R

This workstation is 4 storage solutions in one. It includes a toolbox, part bins, portable tray and an oversized lower bin for larger items.

The patented tier cantilever multi-level rolling system allows for easy access to all 4 storage areas at the same time.

The workstation is made out of durable structural foam construction and has a telescopic handle for easy maneuvering.

Large, heavy duty rubber-coated 7" wheels for maximum stability

See less See more

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irrig8r

· #63 · Aug 12, 2008

TPnTX said:
demo kit envy :drinkup:

irrig8r I can see you side for not spending your evenings making as much money as someone say like uh... the lighting geek. of course I've been wrong before.

I'll raise my glass in honor of Tommy's artistic, technical and revenue producing abilities....:drinkup:

However, there are two distinct sides to my business.... And I'm sure glad I don't need to go out and do nighttime demos for sprinkler repair, troubleshooting and upgrade work.... :laugh:

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Mike M

· #64 · Aug 12, 2008

Gregg,

I mentioned that Stanley upright thing. I have one; it makes good use of vertical storage in my truck, and it's awesome for being organized. I open that up on the job and I'm good to go.

One problem: Not at all weather-proof.

I also have a Stanley storage box, white/clear lids, that's opens butterfly style, and has several trays on the middle section. I use this for connectors, screws, anchors, etc.

Again, one problem: not weather-proof.

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irrig8r

· #65 · Aug 13, 2008

I thought you meant a different Stanley box Mike. I hadn't seen this kind before.

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irrig8r

· #66 · Aug 13, 2008

Got a private message asking about the 2 pole trailer connector , so I thought I'd answer it where anyone interested could see...

It's Napa part #755-1598. They call it a " 2-flat electrical connector loop -12"... "

Cut it in half and you have two 6" M x F ends that you can attach to your fixture leads or lengths of cable (I used NS quarter ace connectors).

They're a perfect fit with the Vista demo kit connectors.

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Mike M

· #67 · Aug 13, 2008

The quick connects that Unique uses are also a good idea, I bought 100 pairs from allspectrum.com; however, I find that I just revert back to the Tim method while setting up demo's. Just cut and nut with regular red twist-ons.

The product is called Anderson PowerPoles. The trick is in making a good connection, and I highly recommended buying the special tool for the job unless you feel like wiggling a lot of connections during your demo.

Unique sells all the stuff you need for this, including the special crimper, but Joey is telling us they will put all those connectors on for us. Their demo kit comes with them on the fixtures and the transformer. I think the Unique kit is a great starter kit and recommend it for that purpose.

Be forewarned--that power-pole crimper is expensive.

Mike

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