Ok, building a "flash" appearance using lights instead of a flash pot. Slightly embarrassing since I got my degree in electrical engineering - but I NEVER used it (I did computer programming when I was working in the industry). Anyway, I got a question related to electrical work.

I need high wattage lights for the appearance. I've used a 300 or 400 watt bulb on stage before for a shadow tent illusion and that worked well. My question is related to the flash appearance though. I imagine I'll have 6-8 bulbs connected around my illusion and they should flash together for only a second before the girl appears inside my cabinet. So the questions are:

1) Is there some sort of existing "chain" that will allow me to connect these in series or will I need to make one?
2) If they are all connected in series, do I risk tripping the theater's breaker when trying to turn on 6-8 at a shot?

Any help is appreciated. Specifically looking for builders who've done this in the past.

Why would you not go with LED photo flash units instead and save yourself a lot of grief?

You may also buy surplus flash units (scrapped from cameras) at about $2 each.
They would run off of batteries and, as a collective. make a very intense flash.
No cables.
Low voltage.
Easy wiring.
and CHEAP!
I can hook you up with a web link if needed.
that's what I would do

Actually you would connect the bulbs in parallel. Eight 400 watt bulbs would pull about 29 amps. I would go with 300 watts if you can. That would be 22 amps. Make sure you have at least a 30 amp circuit with not to many other thing connected to it.

A 400 watt bulb pulls 3.6 amps. A 300 watt bulb pulls 2.7 amps.

If you could cut it down to six bulbs that would be better.

Eldon, any wire harness that you know of that already has this ready to go or will I need to construct one?

No pre-made harness comes to mind. You will probably have to make it.

Thanks everyone!

Matt, you're not alone. I also got an Electrical Engineering degree and never used it and don't remember much of it. The electrical stuff I actually do is all stuff I learned from dad who learned in the Navy.

Most of my electrical knowledge came from 4-H projects and it serves me well enough to do most basic things.

Richard

Are incandescent bulbs going to continue to be available?
30 amps is a lot and may only be available in professional theaters - but not many other places (admittedly I'm not an expert in this area).
Cabling would need to be sized sufficiently to carry that current also. A household extension cord probably won't cut it.
You may want to seriously consider what others mention about flash units.

Well, this will be plan B - plan A is to use a very bright spot on top of the structure. They already had it in house so we will try that first. If it's not good, we'll try something else last minute. ...welcome to high school theater...sigh