I have recently started operating a small lighting setup for an amateur dramatics group.
The setup comprises of a Betapack 2 (UK 15A sockets, fused) connected to a Level Plus Mk 1 dimmer board.
When the system was purchased, the intention was always to add more stage lights to the system, so the Level Plus was chosen as it has 12 channels, and a second Betapack could be added at a later date to allow more lights to be connected. (We currently use only 6 of the channels on the Level Plus.)
However, the second Betapack was never purchased, and now that I want to purchase one, they are now discontinued!
What I want to know is, is it possible to purchase a Betapack 2 from anywhere? Or will the Betapack 3 work with the dimmer board? Or can I use dimmers manufactured by other companies?
Please appreciate that the drama group work on an incredibly limited budget, and are in no position to purchase a complete new system, so an upgrade to what we have is the only option. The current dimmer and desk do everything that we need anyway; it's just that we need more channels! We are happy to buy a dimmer 2nd hand (as long as it will pass the PAT test, of course!).
One more thing:
The current Betapack 2 is powered with a huge blue plug (I think that it's 63 Amps, but I'm not sure. It measures about 8cm across). We have a socket fitted to the wall that we operate the lights from (presumably on a different phase to the other sockets). If we do manage to get a second dimmer, can we power it from the same socket somehow (With a twin socket adaptor? From the current dimmer?), or do we need to get another wall socket fitted?
