| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
cyberpunk409
Bronze Member
Australia
56 Posts |
 Posted - 04/17/2007 : 18:03:37
|
sorry for starting my 3rd thread within one week... im still learning about effect pedals, not having really used them all that much until now.
is it ok to permanently have a jack inserted into the INPUT socket of older BOSS pedals while hooked up to a power adapter? I only ask because this essentially means the pedal is ON all the time right? I mean, if i had a 9v battery in there and had the INPUT connected to a guitar then the battery would drain even when the pedal was not in use (i.e. not engaged).
Basically, what im asking is... as soon as you plug a jack into the input socket of a pedal the pedal goes on (regardless of whether or not effect is engaged and LED light is on or not), so can a 27 year old circuit board handle being "ON" all the time? is it bad for the pedal and should i disconnect the jack from the input socket when not playing?
If so, this would become a hassle for people with 20 pedals no? or do they simply unplug the power adapter when not playing, hence turning "OFF" all 20 pedals? What's the protocol for this people, im new to the world of compact effect pedals, i've been using a ME-50 until now... my other pedal is a 29 yr old MXR distortion+ and I'm concerned for it as well.
cheers guys. |
|
|
ChristoMephisto
Platinum Member
Canada
1288 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 18:59:42
|
You right in your assumption. With a battery in, and jack in the input the pedal is on, and consuming power. LED on is engadged 'really on'.
Most people breakdown and get a daisychain as its a big hassle to plug and unplug pedals. Options are the one spot in five, meaning one end connects to the adapter and has five power outputs. There is also the boss chain that connects via the tu2,ns2,pms5,ls2 that gives you eight outputs.
hth |
 |
|
|
cyberpunk409
Bronze Member
Australia
56 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 20:13:23
|
| yeah, i get that bit. my question however was, if an older pedal was continuously connected to a power source (daisy chain or not), with a cable in the INPUT jack (essentially making it ALWAYS ON), could it cause damage to an almost 3 decade old circuitboard?? does it need to rest and be OFF, i.e. power adapter unlpugged OR input jack taken out? |
Edited by - cyberpunk409 on 04/17/2007 20:17:12 |
|
|
|
Big Boss Man
Gold Member
USA
564 Posts |
Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:27:28
|
| I have never heard of leaving pedals plugged in causing damage. I always keep my pedal power supply and amp hooked up to a surge suppressor and turn off the surge suppressor when I am not playing. I also unplug everything completely from the wall when there is a thunderstorm or power outage. I think you are much more likely to suffer electrical damage from a power surge or lightning strike. |
|
|
|
FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/18/2007 : 18:48:47
|
i agree with big boss man.... i don't think it would be a problem i leave mine in all the time... i just unplug the power when i'm finished using them as the adapters can get fairly warm...but i leave the pedals all hooked on my board...... |
|
|
|
ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 01:54:26
|
I'm with the others. I just unplug mine when I'm done.
Mind you I like the extent Big Boss Man goes to with surge protection and everything. I never really thought about that!  |
|
|
|
cyberpunk409
Bronze Member
Australia
56 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 03:56:11
|
so far i have all of you unplugging your power adapters for various reasons. essentially, this is eliminating any power going through your pedals during prolonged times of no usage.
I feel i haven't been clear in my question, so I apologise and will try to word it differently one last time:
- Would you guys feel comfortable leaving your power adapters plugged in (and switched ON at powerpoint), connected to your pedals, with a cable going into the INPUT jack of your pedal... which means the pedal has a current running through it 100% of the time, engaged or not, LED light on or not.
- Would it be ok to leave a vintage pedal in this sort of "standby" state for years? Could it handle being ON all the time, even considering it would NOT be engaged (LED light = OFF) for about 95% of the time, or should i unplug my adapter for the sake of my pedals (i dont really care about the adapter overheating and dying - its easily replaced)???
|
|
|
|
DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 05:09:59
|
I *hope* leaving pedals powered is ok as my RC-2 is always on with the AC adapter plugged in. The best solution is as mentioned, run everything through a surge-protector. That way you only have one switch to powerdown.
As an aside, if you leave a power adapter plugged in, you'll notice it very warm which can lead to premature ejacu-failure. Heat is the enemy of all electronics. |
|
|
|
nosi0
Gold Member
Netherlands
511 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 12:28:13
|
I think I understand the question. I would not leave the pedal on all the time. as different parts of the pedal have different life-expectancy's. once the life expectancy is over it is likely to break. the parts can also brake long before as life-expectancy is just an estimate. So if you leave it on after a long time(not sure how long the life expectancy's are of the components)then one component would die. either making the pedal disfunctional or making it sound different/wrong. so if your comfortable opening the pedal and replacing the piece. after you spent ages identifying what's wrong. then there should be no problem. but if you aren't to sure about things like me. then i would leave it off most of the time. Pedals alwayz brake at some point, boss ones just live longer  |
|
|
|
Dr. Bob
Moderator
Australia
6593 Posts |
Posted - 04/19/2007 : 13:02:23
|
quote:
Originally posted by DeFrag
I *hope* leaving pedals powered is ok as my RC-2 is always on with the AC adapter plugged in. The best solution is as mentioned, run everything through a surge-protector. That way you only have one switch to powerdown.
As an aside, if you leave a power adapter plugged in, you'll notice it very warm which can lead to premature ejacu-failure. Heat is the enemy of all electronics.
Hi Defrag & Guys
HEAT is the enemy of Electrolytic Capacitors.
It dries out the electrolyte, & raises the ESR (Equivalent Series Resistance) of the capacitor, which causes the cap to fail, or gas out.
You need a special instrument to measure the ESR of an electro. cap.
Electrolytic capacitors, also hate high ripple currents, unless they have been designed for such a purpose.
But in the voltages, that we have in our various branded pedals, we don't tend to see any high ripple currents.
Also running electrolytic caps at Near or Over, their specified working Voltage, will also, cause premature failure.
Regards Dr. Bob  |
|
|
|
ronster
Gold Member
Australia
645 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 01:28:05
|
Sorry, cyberpink I didn't answer your question the first time.
I guess NO I wouldn't leave my setup plugged in. I'm not sure about the technical reasons for this but to me it leaves electrical current running in things that might heat up/over heat and may (i say may becuase I don't know for sure) damage my pedals or power supply.
So, just to be sure I just unplug everything. It's only one plug anyway!
Hope that helps |
|
|
|
FRANZONI
Double Platinum Member
Ireland
3543 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 14:07:52
|
i wouldn't leave any appliance that uses an adapter plugged in all the time...here in ireland the fire service have ad's on the television about switching things off at night in case of fire... the adapter burning out might be the least of you worries..... if you don't mind me asking why would you want to leave them on all the time....??...we had an electrical storm here a couple of years ago and all the tellys in the house went bang so i always unplug my amps and effects(don't want this to happen to my old valve amps)and especially with my kids around who think that daddy's pedalboard and amps are part of their toys.... ..... |
|
|
|
strat714
Silver Member
USA
156 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 15:42:21
|
| With the power adapters plugged into the pedals the ONLY time there is current running through the pedals is when the pedals have power applied to them. If you unplug the power there will be no current running through the pedals. Unplug the wallwart (power supply) and leave everyting else plugged in and you will be fine. The wqll wart itself will get warm and wear out quickly if you leave it plugged in. If you have batteries in your pedals they will drain very slowly because they are not being used when a power jack is inserted into the pedal. Inserting a power jack into the pedal switches the battery out of the circuit. |
|
|
|
DeFrag
Moderator
USA
3409 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 15:54:07
|
quote:
Originally posted by strat714
If you have batteries in your pedals they will drain very slowly because they are not being used when a power jack is inserted into the pedal.
Good point. |
|
|
|
mattoqua
Silver Member
Canada
438 Posts |
Posted - 04/20/2007 : 19:14:04
|
| like most of the others, i plug everything into a power bar so its just 1 switch to turn off when im done. For a while, there werent enough plugs on it, so i needed 1 adaptor to run from the wall directly, and i left whatever was connected to that on all the time. It felt wierd, but i dont think it can cause any damage. |
|
|
|
cyberpunk409
Bronze Member
Australia
56 Posts |
Posted - 04/22/2007 : 13:28:42
|
| thanks for all your replies guys :) i will be unplugging the power adapter when im not playing from now on. cheers again. |
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Query about older pedals and power adapters
