Here's How To Isolate Outputs on a Standard Daisy Chain!

4StringsEnough · #1 07-01-2008, 02:22 PM

Just found this:

http://www.effectpowersupplies.com/v...tery-110-p.asp

I was chatting with them about various things and they recommended the virtual battery to me to enable me to daisy chain my Nano Clone. The 'battery' simply plugs onto the end of one your daisy chain power tips on your one spot or whatever and it isolates the output, just as the (mega-expensive) voodoo labs power supply does. The other end of the 'battery' has a standard 2.1mm plug to go into your pedal.

It also allows you to put two together for 18V power off a 9V daisy chain (which could never be done with standard battery clip adaptors off the same daisy chain).

So all those complaining about the new EHX pedals not being able to be daisy chained need to take a close look at these Virtual Batteries - seems the answer to all those problems of daisy-chaining.

Daisy-chaining always seems to work in 90% of cases, but this seems ideal for those 10% of cases where it doesn't work - some of the EHX pedals, Line 6 pedals etc. I was never gonna chuck a load of cash at a pedal power so this is an ideal solution for me!

bongomania · #2 07-01-2008, 02:34 PM

Interesting!

JanusZarate · #3 07-01-2008, 02:41 PM

I've seen these around and never had the luxury of testing one out for myself. I could've sworn there have been a few threads on this before... but definitely very few.

Certainly promising, though, if all you need to do is isolate a 9VDC pedal.

BTW, I'd chuck the Nano Clone regardless if I were you... it's seriously not worth it. I normally avoid bashing pedals to death online if I can (because musicians' tastes vary), but that one is seriously awful - high noise, big volume drop, etc.

Unless they improved it recently and I haven't been aware of it...

dannybuoy · #4 07-01-2008, 04:09 PM

Only problem is that at £30 one of those costs more than my power supply & daisy chain!

niftydog · #5 07-01-2008, 04:57 PM

For now I'm filing this next to the EH Hum Debugger under 'G' for Gnomes.

They make absolutely no attempt to describe the fundamental operation of the device, which makes me very sceptical.

JanusZarate · #6 07-01-2008, 05:02 PM

I thought it was elves?

niftydog · #7 07-01-2008, 05:14 PM

Yes, there was some debate at the time.

Gnelves...?

Jazz Ad · #8 07-01-2008, 05:41 PM

If you buy a BBE Supacharger (for the price of 3 of these things) you get 8 isolated outputs. Doesn't seem too interesting unless you need only a couple of them.
As for the Hum Debugger, I suspect a low pass filter.

chicago_mike · #9 07-01-2008, 05:48 PM

some one told me once the hum debugger is a humbucker style pup inside..

anybody tear one of these open yet?

Higgie · #10 07-01-2008, 06:00 PM

I have 2 of these in my Musitronics Mutron 3, and it allows me to power it perfectly, from a 9v boss jack output on my burkey. It could be daisy changed too. Very good unit. The GigRig guys are great.

Toasted · #11 07-02-2008, 01:55 AM

These seem a bit of snake oil to me. It's nor possible for them to give "isolated" outputs to a daisy chain, because the grounds are still joined.

dannybuoy · #12 07-02-2008, 02:01 AM

Could it convert to AC, use a transformer, then go back to DC perhaps?

Or it could contain a kind of rechargeable battery with separated electrodes for charging and power supply.

4StringsEnough · #13 07-02-2008, 02:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toasted

These seem a bit of snake oil to me. It's nor possible for them to give "isolated" outputs to a daisy chain, because the grounds are still joined.

I don't know how they do it and, as the idea is patent pending, I'm guessing they're gonna be vague about the exact operation. They'll only isolate the output(s) they're connected to - not the whole daisy chain. Unless you really need 6 or 8 isolated outputs then this seems a far simpler and cheaper way to sort out noisy or difficult pedals. The twin pack is £50 so that's £25 each. Maybe we could all buy them together to get a cheaper price?!!

Toasted · #14 07-02-2008, 03:06 AM

Is this the Accu-switch of the TBFX forum?

I already use a Pedal Power 2, but I'd be happy to go halves with you just so I can take one apart and see how it works :P

4StringsEnough · #15 07-02-2008, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toasted

I'd be happy to go halves with you just so I can take one apart and see how it works

I'm going to contact them about setting up a Talkbass discount if there's a bit of interest here. Let's see if we can get them for £25 each. I'll keep you posted...

Higgie · #16 07-02-2008, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4StringsEnough

I'm going to contact them about setting up a Talkbass discount if there's a bit of interest here. Let's see if we can get them for £25 each. I'll keep you posted...

Tell em James with the Mutron III sent ya!

niftydog · #17 07-02-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chicago_mike

some one told me once the hum debugger is a humbucker style pup inside..

That wouldn't work at all - just think about what a pickup actually is and how the signal is created and you'll see that whoever told you that has no clue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannybuoy

Could it convert to AC, use a transformer, then go back to DC perhaps?

Or it could contain a kind of rechargeable battery with separated electrodes for charging and power supply.

It is likely nothing more than a DC-DC converter, for those playing at home. The fact of the matter remains that this is just another guitar-pedal-industry-bastardisation of a sound engineering concept. I concede that it may work for the odd cantankerous pedal, but you could buy three wall warts for the price of one of these so...

bassbmx · #18 07-02-2008, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toasted

Is this the Accu-switch of the TBFX forum?

Haha

Seems like an interesting idea but considering the exchange rate I just can't see myself getting one instead of a PP2 or Flatliner.

speak_onion · #19 07-03-2008, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by niftydog

It is likely nothing more than a DC-DC converter, for those playing at home.

What type of DC-DC and how would that help? I'm curious, as I suspected (as Toasted did) an actual battery inside the thing. I know you have the tru EE skillz, though.

niftydog · #20 07-03-2008, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speak_onion

What type of DC-DC and how would that help?

It could be something like an isolated flyback converter. It literally does isolate the input from the output via a transformer.

There's several unanswered questions about this product. It doesn't make any attempt to describe the problem for which it supposedly provides a solution - this is a massive marketing faux pas that is normally seen in late night infommercials that target the gullible.

I don't claim to know what causes some pedals to not play nice with other pedals, but if I were trying to sell a device that fixes this problem then I would certainly back up my claims with some technical rationale.