pedals and batteries

[vernplum]

Hi

How long will a 9v battery last in a pedal that is plugged in (i.e. 'on') but not in use?

I suppose I could test it but anyone done this already?

 

[j_m_s]

it depends on how much current a pedal will draw =)

For a boss digital delay(sucks the life outta batteries like funfair).

Boss overdrive(uber long)

 

[vernplum]

In your example of a Boss Digital Delay, if the light is off then is the main circuitry still active? I find this a bit surprising. Ok - fair enough if there is some low current draw while it's standing by but to draw full power? Are you sure?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

if the pedal is not "on/activated", but power up, the circuit is already receiving the power. The action of jack plugged in complete the electricity flow from the power jack to circuit and to ground

The on/off is just routing the guitar signal into the circuit for processing or straight from input to ouput(bypassed) plus led on/off

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

oh, one more thing, if the pedal has got a dc chain connected to it, but not power up, even with the guitar cable plugged into the pedal , there will not be any battery draining.

The dc chain plugged in will disconnect the battery flowing path internally at the power jack of the pedal so no wastage from battery even if forget to unplug the guitar cable

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

here's a tip... please save ur money and stop using alkaline 9v batteries...

get rechargeable 9v's... no not those 8.4v's one offered by GP, but those japanese 9v's.. if i remember correctly luther musicworks sells them for quite cheap... and that's save ur money if u insist on using batteries...

if not, get a 1-spot for $35 and a daisy chain or 2 for $5ea

 

[j_m_s]

15 each, not 5 each =)

 

[nysk]

the one spot daisy chains are 15, but the weird brand ones are 5-6

i use one spot but i only found out about the battery drain when off thing a few days ago, too late, my pedals probably have no more battery alr haha!

 

[vernplum]

I'm actually using a one spot already,but I suffer fom terrible ground loop hum. I've tried alternatives such as the Dunlop DC brick, but I still get a lot of hum which is why I am switching to batteries.

Interested to know, since plugging in an ac adapter will cause the battery not to be drained - does it matter if the adapter is actually plugged in?

 

[theblueark]

No surprise as the dc brick is basically a daisy chain built to look like a box. What you'll need are isolated outputs on the hum causing effects.

The battery connection to the circuit is closed when you plug in the cable, which is why it will start draining. Putting in the d/c jack will open the circuit as well, which is another way of stopping your batteries from draining.

This is on most pedals by the way, not necessarily all, but most makers cater to this standard.

 

[nysk]

ohhh so as long as my daisy chain with adaptor is plugged into the my pedals dc jack, if i leave the cable in the input jack the bat wont drain rite?

must the adaptor be on for this to happen (circuit to open)?

 

[theblueark]

Yep as long as it's plugged in, it physically breaks the live wire of the battery from the circuit. No need to leave the adapter on.

It's a good way of saving battery power without removing the input plug, I'm surprised I never thought of it earlier.

 

[Gr3y]

blueark.. genius...

 

[vernplum]

I believe I deserve partial credit .....just kidding - thanks everybody for providing their expertise here.

Cheers

Vern

 

[nysk]

omg that explains y my pedals still work despite having cables in their input jack for over a week

thanks ark!

 

[ngjingming]

looks like im in the market for a 1spot... just got a dd3

 

[theblueark]

Haha no problem, now I have a great answer to the pedalboard/battery powered question that I never really put thought into.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

i don't recommend wasting that extra $10 for the visualsound daisy chain... the price of that thing is so rip off out of this world... it really costs $5 man!

haha i dun care if its L-shaped plug or straight plug, what works, works...

 

[ngjingming]

when you buy a 1spot it only can only power one pedal right? must buy daisy chain to power more pedals?

 

[PatheinRaindropMoe]

one 1sport is a class A ward, service one patient. With the dc chain, it will become like a class C ward, many patients sharing the same space.