Battery-Powered Event Lighting

When should you choose battery-powered fixtures?

A wireless light fixture runs on a built-in battery. It needs no socket nearby, which changes everything in some venues. At Palais Soleiman, the beams and columns severely limited the cabling options.

Battery-powered fixtures are particularly suited to these situations:

• palaces, riads and monuments, where you can neither drill nor fix anything;
• gardens and terraces, far from power sources;
• dinners where no cable may cross the walkways;
• quick set-ups, with little time before the guests arrive.

They often complement conventional lighting. Powerful fixtures stay on mains power, while ambient accents switch to batteries.

They are also valuable for short events, when full cabling would cost more than the evening itself. The question to ask is simple: where are the sockets, and can we reach them without damaging the venue?

Battery life, charging and control: plan ahead

Battery life is the key point. It varies with the model, the colour and the intensity chosen: full-power white light uses more energy than a soft tint. You therefore need to compare it with the real length of the event, set-up included.

• charge all batteries the day before and test them in the morning;
• allow a comfortable margin beyond the end time;
• programme colours and intensities before the doors open;
• keep a few charged spare fixtures.

During the evening, a technician monitors battery levels from the control desk or in the room. They can discreetly replace a fixture if needed.

To see this set-up in action, read our article on the gala dinner at Palais Soleiman and browse the photos of the IBGSA 2020 project. Our stage lighting rental in Marrakech service offers fixtures suited to every venue.