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Leeroyfunk
Silver Member
United Kingdom
400 Posts |
 Posted - 05/04/2006 : 13:39:54
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I recently purchased a PH-2 from ebay, described as "mint" condition. The pedal looks perfect, and works perfectly with a battery. However, when using an adaptor, the LED does not light up (or rather it gives a glow so faint as to be invisible): It still effects the sound as with the battery, but the LED problem will make it tricky for stage use.
I should perhaps add that the power supply is regulated, and produces no problems with any of my other 6 Boss pedals, but is not a Boss adaptor. I could of course use a batteryt, but I really want to use the power supply - Has anyone else had this problem? |
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bossarea
Forum Admin
United Kingdom
3652 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 14:57:18
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Sounds like the ACA/PSA pedal problem. Is it an old PH-2 that wants an ACA adapter? If that's the case it wants 12V instead of 9V.
Some more info here: http://www.bossarea.com/other/aca.asp |
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Leeroyfunk
Silver Member
United Kingdom
400 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 18:22:39
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Ok. Further developments (Apologies for the following long-winded post...)
Having read the information in the link above, I have a much better idea about what's going on. I had a look at the back of all of my pedals and, sure enough, some of the the older ones demand an ACA adaptor (specifically the SD-1, OC-2, and CE-2).
The solution is to use a daisy chain and plug in
another pedal designed for the newer ACA or PSA adapter.
The lead between the two pedals will short the resistor
diode pair and the pedal will receive full power.
I remember noticing that the CE-2 would not light up until my OD-3 was connected - I assumed this was just some strange quirk (which it is... in a way) and forgetting about it. However, this is not a problem with the SD-1 or the OC-2 - They both light up fine when used on their own with a PSA-style adaptor.
Also, the "daisy-chain" solution does not work with the PH-2: The LED still stubbornly refuses to light up with any combination of daisy-chained pedals: Do I have to resign myself to either purchasing a separate ACA to run it (making four different adaptors on my board) or biting the bullet and buying batteries? I would rather not use batteries because I want to have all my pedals on a pedal-board and leave the patch leads connected, which would obviously drain the batteries.
Does anyone have a solution that would allow me to run all of my Boss pedals from one adaptor, without splashing out on a new power supply?
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LuminaryJCP
Bronze Member
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 20:31:48
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My PH-2 Also does the same thing, i'm not sure about with batteries, but with an AC it lights up very faintly. It might just be an inherent problem with the old PH-2s, because mine is one of the old ones.
-Joe |
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jack
Platinum Member
USA
1418 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 20:36:38
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| Sort of related, I have noticed that the LEDs in the 2 MIJ label pedals I have (DF-2 & NF-1) do not seem to light up as bright as LEDs from MIT labelled pedals I have (MT-2, DS-1, & NS-2), whether running off of an adaptor or batteries. |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 20:50:06
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Once again I think the question is what are you using to power these pedals?
MIT Pedals generally require a Boss PSA Adapter, while most older MIJ ones require a Boss ACA Adapter.
My first experience with an MIJ pedal was a Boss CE-3, and I read the label (by the power socket) that said it required an ACA Adapter, and part of me thought I could just try to run it on PSA but I was more worried that it would damage the unit, and I loved how warm that chorus sounded compared to my CH-1 or my CE-5. So I bought the ACA Adapter that Guitar Center was selling. For what's it's worth that adapter was an ACA-120G which I didn't think much of at the time, but later on after reading many discussions about the power matter I realized that the original power supplies used to power most MIJ Boss pedals were the Boss ACA-120. Notice the lack of the G at the end of the number. The old power supplies were an unregulated 12v's which adequately powered most of the MIJ units, and I didnt think some of my pedals were being accurately powered on the ACA-120G model, so I went out and bought 2 of the old Boss ACA-120 adapters. Well I'll tell you it didn't really make a difference but I felt a little bit better knowing I was using the same power source that Boss originally intended for operating these pedals.
Of course there is the aforementioned Daisy Chain method, but I'll tell you that you sometimes get odd results unless you have every link of the Daisy Chain plugged in or at least the first & the last. I believe I was having odd results on a CS-2 in combination with a DM-3 and a TU-2 powering them. I think the Daisy Chain works best with every link used though. Regardless I do not have enough expensive Monster Cables to power a Daisy Chain's worth right now so I'm holding off. For refrence the Monster Cables I'm using are $25 a piece for the short 1 foot cables that go inbetween pedals, and those really start to add up especially when you want enough to use an LS-2 and a stereo setup.
And for those that are interested here are pics of an original ACA-120 Adapter notice the sloping, beveled kind of edges on it compared to the very square ACA-120G
Download Attachment:  BOSSadp1.jpg
73.66�KB |
Edited by - Dingus on 05/04/2006 21:52:42 |
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Leeroyfunk
Silver Member
United Kingdom
400 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 21:19:25
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MIT Pedals generally require a Boss PSA Adapter, while most older MIJ ones require a Boss ACA Adapter.
I hear what you're saying, but my PH-2 is definitely MIT, but says it requires a ACA on the back... |
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Dingus
Silver Member
USA
472 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 21:29:37
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| Right and that's possible, there are various exceptions. Do you have an ACA Adapter that you've tried it with? |
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Leeroyfunk
Silver Member
United Kingdom
400 Posts |
Posted - 05/04/2006 : 22:06:19
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Not a Boss ACA, no. I have now tried it with a regulated switchable adaptor set to 12volts, and the LED comes on fine...
I suppose I'll have to decide whether to run with an extra (12v) adaptor on the pedal board, or go for batteries. I assume that the adaptor jack disconnects the battery - Is this correct? If so, can I leave a battery in the pedal, with the patch leads plugged in, and plug an adaptor in to prevent the battery draining when not in use? |
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1964
Copper Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2006 : 01:27:59
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| I just got a 1980�s Arion SAD-1 delay. The LED lights up strongly with a battery. But if I use my 1 Spot power supply plugged in to the power jack of the SAD-1, it lights the LED rather dimly. However, if I apply the power of 1 Spot via a battery adapter, the LED lights up as strongly as with a battery. Though I have cleaned the power jack as best I can, I suspect the jack connection is either dirty or corroded. |
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phostenix
Gold Member
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2006 : 02:18:14
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I suspect the Arion pedals put a diode in series with the external power jack to protect against reverse polarity adapters. You'll lose .5-.6V with the diode that you won't lose by connecting to the battery clip. I've never looked that closely at the power circuit on the Arion pedals. I'll have to do that now....
Grace and peace,
Steve
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1964
Copper Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2006 : 03:28:00
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> " I suspect the Arion pedals put a diode in series with the external power jack to protect against reverse polarity adapters. You'll lose .5-.6V with the diode that you won't lose by connecting to the battery clip."
Interesting!
> "I've never looked that closely at the power circuit on the Arion pedals. I'll have to do that now....
Hey, thanks!! |
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1964
Copper Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2006 : 11:09:47
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| phostenix: Did you by any chance have a look at an Arion power circuit? |
Edited by - 1964 on 05/15/2006 14:57:01 |
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phostenix
Gold Member
USA
754 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 16:25:13
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Sorry, I've been tied up with other projects recently. I'll try to have a look at it this week. Remind me again if I haven't posted by the weekend.
Grace and peace,
Steve
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1964
Copper Member
39 Posts |
Posted - 05/15/2006 : 22:51:48
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| That's cool. Thanks! |
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tocs100
Copper Member
USA
1 Posts |
Posted - 05/20/2006 : 04:20:03
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 I bought a uses FT-2 Dynamic Filter. And besides the dim LED (with batteries or PSA), the effect isn't strong enough. Anyone notice this too, or is it broken? (Or should I get an ASA/12v adapter? as it recommends?) |
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LED - problem?
BOSSadp1.jpg