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One-Way
Bronze Member
New Zealand
104 Posts |
 Posted - 08/26/2007 : 05:37:05
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A question for those of us that use batteries to power our pedals.
As I only use a EQ and OD1 pedal I haven't bothered with a power supply as yet.
What is the recommended battery for stomp pedals? I have been using Eveready Energisers in mine, but I know in some things like smoke alarms they aren't recommended. Is it an overkill to use a high draw battery on a low draw device?
How much power draw is there with the pedal plugged in without being switched on? Im guessing it very small figure? |
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ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2007 : 06:09:19
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Under the home page, for the description of the pedals is the specs for your pedals. The OD-1 is 3.5mA, and teh GE-7 is 7mA. The current draw is the same wiether its on or off.
Not sure about the slow draw batteries, but sounds good
maybe someone has more info on this topic. I only use batteries when I pack my bcb-3 to go out to a friends, I have way too many pedals to be using batteries |
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pedals 4 pv
Platinum Member
Canada
1351 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2007 : 11:24:56
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| Energizers won't hurt your pedals. The worst is a cheap battery that leaks. That will hurt your pedal. Pedals work best with a consistant voltage supply and that is best supplied by the proper ac adaptor for your pedal. When I used batteries I would forget to unplug the guitar cord and the battery would be always dead. My advice to you would be to go for the ac adaptor and daisy chain, they will pay for themselves in no time. Read the asa-psa discussion elsewhere on this site. Your od-1 is an asa pedal and probably won't work properly stand alone on a psa adaptor. If your ge-7 is an asa pedal you need an asa adaptor which may not be readily available, or you need a third pedal one that is a psa pedal in your chain to allow you to use the psa adaptor.A bcb-30 daisy chain will run three pedals and plug directly in to the psa adaptor. Don't let the guy at the music store give you the B.S. that you need one of the power pedals like a tuner or line selector. Any psa pedal will do the trick. If your ge-7 is a psa pedal you're stylin' you just need a bcb-30 daisy chain and a psa adaptor. I have also seen these three pedal daisy chains sold under the Ibanez label. |
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ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2007 : 15:28:46
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I've read before that alkaline batteries hold their voltage steady as long as they can and then they die. With heavy duty batteries they tend to slowly die and their voltage drops as they die.
This is likely to change the sound from the pedals too. I've heard of some people running their pedals using voltage switchable power supplies and deliverately running them at 6v or lower because it actually gets sound they really like!
If you don't use your pedals for a while you really should take the battery out as it will leak, only a matter of when, so best not to ruin your pedal that way.
Hope that helps!  |
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Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2007 : 15:29:19
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Hi One-Way, pedals 4 pv & Guys
I agree with, pedals 4 pv, get good quaility BRAND NAME batteries that are less likely to leak inside your pedal.
It's a known fact, that Alkaline batteries have the most stable/constant terminal voltage, over their life span.
Which for low current draw pedals, is a good thing, and even better if you power your Vintage Wah.
Not to mention that your vintage OD-1 probably won't let you down in the middle of a live gig. 
Just remember to unplug the input lead, the on-off power switch, works when you plug in the
input lead, the bypass pedal, just bypasses the effect, but as Christo mentioned, the effect is always on. while the input is plugged in.
I once had a brand name carbon zinc battery in my vintage wah for more than 10 years.
Yes it was flat, I had placed it into storage & forgot to check/remove the battery; But no leaks.
But I do keep a few name brand, carbon zinc batteries in the gig case
I find that these are sometimes on special for $2 to $3au.
I tend to use these on the Fender Acoustic with the Fishman & pre-amp tuner.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
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StratoSphere
Double Platinum Member
Canada
2232 Posts |
Posted - 08/26/2007 : 16:13:57
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ya i agree that you should use quality brand names. i dont think a 99 cent battery leaking inside your OD-1 would be good.
plus quality batteries last longer and are less likely to crap out on you in the middle of that sha-redding solo!!
plus your GE-7 and OD-1 both have pretty low draw. (i think the OD-1 is like 4 mA) so a battery will last you a loooong time just as long as you remember to unplug the cord from your input jack when the pedal is not in use. |
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Batteries for pedals
