1-Spot - Fault or Feature?

jg919 · #1 06-02-2011, 07:03 AM

Hi Everyone,

I have a question about an anomaly encountered recently with my 1-Spot power adaptor...

My usual gig-rig effects chain comprises a DOD Milk Box compressor, Boss Bass Overdrive, Dunlop 105Q Bass Wah, and an 80's Ibanez Stereo Chorus, all powered by a single 1-Spot and 5-way 1-Spot daisy-chain cable.

...When reconfiguring the effects using only the compressor and overdrive (powered still by the 1-Spot and 5-way cable)for a weekend tour, I noticed a 'staticish' noise coming from the amp, and found it was the effects producing the noise.

When I fiddled with the daisy-chain cable to see if there was a loose connection, the unused connections would briefly touch the pedal chassis of the Boss Bass Overdrive - and this would cause both pedal's power to temporarily cut off (for less than 1 second each time), and a huge "POK" pulse sound to come through the amp.

...My question is: Does anyone know why this happens?
Is this a fault with my 1-Spot/pedal, or is it perhaps a security feature on the 1-Spot (like maybe a kill-switch/power surge function)?

Thanks! Any help would be appreciated!

JOHN

cheapbasslovin · #2 06-02-2011, 07:13 AM

You're grounding out the positive lead to the pedal. It is not really a design flaw because that configuration is necessary to make the pedals work, but it will shut down your audio right quick if you ground it out. You could throw some heat shrink or some sort of insulating material over the unused leads and that should alleviate the problem. I don't recommend using electrical tape, it will leave a residue and really piss you off when you need to add another pedal later.

JimInMO · #3 06-02-2011, 07:33 AM

Had the same problem. Solved with some neoprene tubing from an auto parts store. I'ts about 3/8 inside diameter, I think, and fits snugly over the barrel. Cut pieces long enough to cover the unused tips and keep a bunch of spares in my gig bag.

Mark Olson · #4 06-02-2011, 07:42 AM

Electrical tape works too.

vivifiction · #5 06-02-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cheapbasslovin

I don't recommend using electrical tape, it will leave a residue and really piss you off when you need to add another pedal later.

I thought electrical tape didn't leave residue?

lbwdog · #6 06-02-2011, 09:03 AM

My One Spot came with little tips to cover the exposed plug ends..........(I Think!)

TheVoiceless · #7 06-02-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

My One Spot came with little tips to cover the exposed plug ends..........(I Think!)

LOL, just got a Onespot in the mail two seconds ago. And YES it does come with nipples to cover the unused ports with. So I think as long as you have them covered this should resolve the issue.

cheapbasslovin · #8 06-02-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vivifiction

I thought electrical tape didn't leave residue?

If you leave it on long enough it will leave a residue. Trust me on this. It's not bad if you put it on for a day or even a few weeks under the right circumstances, but if it stays on indefinitely, you'll have some gunk to clean off when you finally need it.

Taylor Livingston · #9 06-02-2011, 11:35 AM

This is a feature. When the positive terminal of one of the daisy chain plugs touches the grounded chassis of a pedal, you are connecting ground directly to the positive voltage rail. Normally, massive current would begin to be pulled through the supply which would kill it. Instead, the 1 spot will shut itself off if it's being asked to supply more current than it can, wait for a bit, and try again.