Exploding gear?
 

I ordered a Behringer BDI21 effect pedal from amazon and got it today. Plugged it in and it started smoking. Accidentally inhaled some and now my lungs hurt a bit and I have to send it back.

Who else has had mishaps like this?

Were you using a 9v adapter? I'm not sure of the science, but they run on different levels and also on positive and negative. Using the wrong mAh (something like that) or wrong polarity will fry the pedal.

Behringer?

Always stand back when you plug one in.

Haha, brilliant. That quote is signature-worthy :D

I have a Behringer compressor pedal, and it's never gave me a problem. It's an old, probably discontinued model. I can't be bothered to dig it out and look at the model number :bassist:

I wouldn't trust there amps though. They look like they've been made out of melted action men and scrap metal.

And let's not have another discussion about them ripping off other people's hard work :ninja:

Really? For example:
http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/...z/P1010228.jpg

http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/...z/P1010232.jpg

http://i1070.photobucket.com/albums/...z/P1010231.jpg

Looks like standard power amp construction to me (Behringer EPQ900).

Kinda like how Marshall ripped fender off, they all do it

The OP is a lie. There was no explosion.

The OP questioned whether there was an explosion.
Based on what else was written I'd say probably not.

He said the pedal smoked.
Smoking is bad for your health and can cause premature demise.

I have seen all kinds of gear stop working. A buddy's pre leaked DC voltage into his power amp and it went poof. (FYI, it was a Peavey)

My Behringer BDI21 has been working for the last 2 years flawelessly. Just picked up a BSY600 and a VP1. We'll see if either of those "explode" ;)

Sorry to hear about this man.

Odds are you plugged in a 9volt alternating current (AC). AC is what comes out of the wall.

The pedals takes a 9volt direct current (DC), like a battery.

The two are NOT inter changeable. Plugging DC into an AC circuit will not coause damage in most cases. AC into a DC circuit and you get, well, you know.

Most healthy people will not be hurt by the fumes of burrning circuits, unless it prolonged and consentrated. If you have lung issues like bad asthma, then you may have an adverse reaction.

You're main problem is going to be getting them to cover it. There are no warrentees that cover user error like useing the wrong power supply.

mA (Milliamps) is not an issue. The pedal will only draw what it needs to function. If you have an old style wall wart power supply this "extra" mA is converted to heat. It's wasting electricity and apossible fire hazzard if you cover the power supply but it will not hurt the pedal in anyway.

"mAh" is used for batteries and describes the average life of a battery. This is simplified but you get the idea. It has nothing to do with the pedal or power supply, just the battery itself.

Useing wrong polarity should not hurt the pedal at all unless you leave it plugged in for a long time. By then you've already unpluged the pedal because it's not working.

Polarity has to do with the actual power input jack. The standard polarity is "center negative". This has been standardedized since the '60's or so. Every major pedal manufacturer uses this polarity for their 9volt DC pedals (i.e. also takes a 9volt battery).

If you ever see a polrity change, say to center positive, there's a reason this was done. Look at the pwoer supply close, I bet the it's AC output.

Hmm. I have one of those as a DI just in case I need it - never used it yet. Could be in for some fun if and when I do use it.

Exploding pedals for New Years!
What is the best metal for exploding?

I call BS.

Using the wrong mAh won't hurt it as long as the voltage and polarity are correct.

If it's center positive, it's not AC. Polarity is irrelevant for AC.