FX pedals using batteries

hotpickups

Until I decide on a power supply I'm powering my few pedals by Batteries. I remember rwading ages ago that to stop using the battery power unnecessarily I should disconnect from the jacks cos even though the pedal is off (red light off) it is still using the battery. Is this still true?

allicio

Unless the pedal has a battery cutoff switch of some sort then you do need to disconnect the input jack yeah

hotpickups

allicio said:

Unless the pedal has a battery cutoff switch of some sort then you do need to disconnect the input jack yeah

How can I check? 

not_the_dj

hotpickups said:

allicio said:

Unless the pedal has a battery cutoff switch of some sort then you do need to disconnect the input jack yeah

How can I check? 

Tell us which pedals they are

hotpickups

not_the_dj said:

hotpickups said:

allicio said:

Unless the pedal has a battery cutoff switch of some sort then you do need to disconnect the input jack yeah

How can I check? 

Tell us which pedals they are

Boss TU 2

EHX Memory Toy

EHX Soulfood

not_the_dj

Yes AFAIK they'll all drain the battery if you leave the input jack connected.

hotpickups

not_the_dj said:

Yes AFAIK they'll all drain the battery if you leave the input jack connected.

Design fault there then but I guess I realise they are the cheaper end of pedals etc. I'll just have to be careful then

ThePrettyDamned

For about 20 quid, or less even, you could get a one spot or something similar.

A tiny bit more and an isolated harley benton power plant junior could be yours. It'll save money on batteries in the long run, and you don't have any complex power requirements

hotpickups

ThePrettyDamned said:

For about 20 quid, or less even, you could get a one spot or something similar.

A tiny bit more and an isolated harley benton power plant junior could be yours. It'll save money on batteries in the long run, and you don't have any complex power requirements

Yes I know of the various power supplies. It's just that Im holding out for the updated version of the Cioks Adam Link which is being launched in March 2015. Just using batteries in the meantime. 

ICBM

hotpickups said:

Design fault there then

It's not a design fault, it's intentional and good design. The purpose is to make it impossible to drain the battery by leaving the pedal switched on with no lead connected. There are very few pedals which don't use this scheme, for a good reason… because it's correct.

If you want to leave the leads connected (eg on a pedalboard) but still with batteries in, putting a plug into the power jack usually shuts off the battery.

hotpickups

ICBM said:

hotpickups said:

Design fault there then

It's not a design fault, it's intentional and good design. The purpose is to make it impossible to drain the battery by leaving the pedal switched on with no lead connected. There are very few pedals which don't use this scheme, for a good reason… because it's correct.

If you want to leave the leads connected (eg on a pedalboard) but still with batteries in, putting a plug into the power jack usually shuts off the battery.

Can one buy just the plugs then @ICBM?

not_the_dj

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-x-55mm-dc-power-plug-hh60q

hotpickups

not_the_dj said:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-21-x-55mm-dc-power-plug-hh60q

Great for that money I'll go and pick some up at my local branch. Thanks

ICBM

hotpickups said:

Can one buy just the plugs then @ICBM?

Yes. There are a very few that don't - the Zoom G3 is one, it takes power from either the power supply or the battery when both are connected - I suppose I can see the logic, since it means if the power supply fails your sound doesn't cut out if you've kept batteries in it - but it will work with most compact pedals.

Just check once you've put the power plug in that turning the pedal on and off doesn't make the LED come on and you're good.

hotpickups

Sorry @ICBM for maybe sounding a bit dim but I DO want the light to go on when the pedal IS on?

ICBM;448067" said:

hotpickups said:Can one buy just the plugs then @ICBM?Yes. There are a very few that don't - the Zoom G3 is one, it takes power from either the power supply or the battery when both are connected - I suppose I can see the logic, since it means if the power supply fails your sound doesn't cut out if you've kept batteries in it - but it will work with most compact pedals.



Just check once you've put the power plug in that turning the pedal on and off doesn't make the LED come on and you're good.

ThePrettyDamned

hotpickups;448087" said:

Sorry @ICBM for maybe sounding a bit dim but I DO want the light to go on when the pedal IS on?

[quote="ICBM;448067"]hotpickups said:Can one buy just the plugs then @ICBM?Yes. There are a very few that don't - the Zoom G3 is one, it takes power from either the power supply or the battery when both are connected - I suppose I can see the logic, since it means if the power supply fails your sound doesn't cut out if you've kept batteries in it - but it will work with most compact pedals.



Just check once you've put the power plug in that turning the pedal on and off doesn't make the LED come on and you're good.

[/quote]

But if you put a psu plug in, it should cut out the battery - hence not switch on for storage.

hotpickups

Ah so I put the plugs in after I've used them. Now I get it

Thanks

hotpickups

Just tried it and yes it shuts the battery off when the plug is in.

Thanks for the help