Digitech BSW LED Flashes 3 times but pedal doesn't work

Disco_Gee · #1 04-27-2009, 07:56 AM

I have a Digitech BSW that I've had for about 10 months. I haven't used it much at all in that time. I plugged it in tonight and started playing, but after about 5 minutes the pedal shut off and went into bypass mode. It won't switch back on. Now, when I pull the cable out of the input jack, and plug it back in, the LED flashes 3 times, but I can't switch the unit on. The battery has plenty of juice left in it.

I opened the battery house and tried pushing the switch manually with my finger but it still won't switch on. I've searched high and low for information regarding the LED flashing 3 times and I can't find anything. I'm hoping maybe someone here can help? Does anyone know what the problem is?

**grygrx** · #2 04-27-2009, 08:04 AM

Why are you sure the battery has plenty of juice? Tongue test?

sonic assassin · #3 04-27-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grygrx

Why are you sure the battery has plenty of juice? Tongue test?

so glad im not the only one who does that...

shaolinwhat · #4 04-27-2009, 12:15 PM

pretty sure thats what digitech x series pedals do when the battery is dying

MatticusMania · #5 04-27-2009, 12:26 PM

Try using a power adapter. Batteries drain pretty quickly in pedals, especially in you leave your leads plugged into it.

whoatherechunk · #6 04-27-2009, 03:36 PM

And use the right power adapter at that.

Steveaux · #7 04-27-2009, 04:26 PM

10 months ????

There is enough conductivity in the air to drain a battery after 10 months.

The manual says average battery life is 4 hours of continuous use.

Jimbob Jones · #8 04-27-2009, 04:58 PM

The light flashes three times when the pedal first recieves power (it happens when I switch my pedalboard on)

I would try changing the battery, and check the PCB to see if anything is obviously toasted...although it's all surface-mounted inside those X-series pedals, so a repair may be impossible

If all else fails, it's not too expensive to buy a new one.

rratajski · #9 04-27-2009, 06:19 PM

Batteries are booty. Just use a proper power supply.
Get back to us after you try that...

Disco_Gee · #10 04-27-2009, 06:51 PM

Thanks for the replies. It appears that it was the battery. Don't I feel stupid!

I only just put the battery in. I thought it was a fresh one but apparently it's not. Digital effects behave strangely when the battery power if low - do they just turn off rather than slowly stop working? Plus, every piece of Digitech documentation I could find completely neglected to mention the "3 flashes" as part of the normal power on procedure. That's a bit annoying.

Oh well, I should have checked the battery properly.

whoatherechunk · #11 04-27-2009, 07:14 PM

no worries. now you must do a disco groove with the bsw!

Steveaux · #12 04-27-2009, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whoatherechunk

no worries. now you must do a disco groove with the bsw!

Harsh penance, man.

voodoobassist · #13 04-27-2009, 07:59 PM

I got my BSW a few months ago on closeout at GC, $48.99, I believe, and have discovered that if FLIES through batteries. I don't have a digitech adaptor, but my old boss adaptor seems to work fine. I put a brand new duracell in this weekend, played two one hour sets, and it was dead the following night. Have had the same scenario each time I've used it. No, didn't leave it plugged in till the next night, used it once throughout the entire evening. This thing seems to suck the life right out of 9 volts in a heartbeat. Still a cool little pedal for the money though I guess.

rratajski · #14 04-28-2009, 04:20 AM

Any pedal that sounds like Pac Man will do that to batteries every time.