Adding a DC plug.

[BassCarver]

I know I have read a forum entry on this subject before, but it's become lost in the Talkbass maelstrom.

I have an effects unit, a Boss FA-1, that runs on battery power only. How does one wire a DC plug to it? Properly? No shortcuts? I've installed the plug, now for the wiring.

[Jazz Ad]

Just solder the wires from the battery plug onto the DC plug, negative pin.

[BassCarver]

I did and I picked up FM radio. I'd like to know how it's done as in a production pedal. Merci beaucoup anyway.

[JanusZarate]

That's pretty much how it's done, AFAIK. Your noise issue isn't exactly uncommon with pedals built to be battery-only... I know other have mentioned noise problems with the Sovtek Big Muff (another old pedal without a DC jack).

Maybe someone else can chime in with some help? I think it's probably going to be more than adding some parts... it'll likely be changing some. I'm admittedly not very useful for this sort of mod when something goes haywire.

[niftydog]

Maybe try increasing the filter cap. Find the biggest capacitor and replace it with one double the value or something.

Check your soldering. The reason you pick up radio is because there's what's called a "diode detector" in the circuit (a primitive radio receiver.) Poor soldering or corrosion can create a diode "action" within a joint.