My Powerall is fading away...need advice on a replacement.

Sabu · #1 06-09-2009, 06:10 PM

My Godlyke Powerall is causing noise in my effects pedals. As far as I know it wasn't there when I bought it as I've only noticed it in the past month (bought it in January).

Is it possible for these digital switching wall-warts to crap out after awhile? I usually use it 2-4 times a week, depending on how many gigs I have.

My pedalboard has a Digitech Bass Squeeze, Bass Synth Wah, Bass Chorus and Bass Driver, as well as a SansAmp Bass Driver and a Planetwaves tuner. I think in total they draw 1500mA and the Powerall is rated at 1700mA. My pedals are never always all on anyway.

I have a Gator pedalboard and was thinking of getting their G-Bus-8 power supply:

http://www.gatorcases.com/productsde...LID=18&PID=171

My local dealer can get it in but I haven't heard much about the supply. All I want is no noise, or at least very, very quiet. When using my pedals with batteries or their stock wallwarts, they run very quiet...any noise is from the amp itself.

Has anyone used a G-Bus-8? Is it quiet? are the supplies isolated?

Any help is appreciated!

I'm also thinking of a Voodoo Labs Pedal Power 2 but it's twice as much and the closest dealer is about an hour away.

Thanks!

bongomania · #2 06-09-2009, 07:32 PM

The Gator's outlets are definitely not isolated. You may be able to find the isolated supplies by BBE or T-Rex for a bit less money than the PPII.

I wouldn't think there was any regular tendency for the Godlykes to "go bad", but certainly it can happen.

kevteop · #3 06-09-2009, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabu

Has anyone used a G-Bus-8? Is it quiet? are the supplies isolated?

I've got one. It's quiet, but the outputs aren't isolated. The 18v output would be useful if I still had my Blowtorch but I don't, or if I had a MuTron III, which I don't.

To be honest I think well-regulated, high-current 9v daisy chains are much more useful, and I use the one I've got more than I use the G-BUS.

Sabu · #4 06-10-2009, 03:19 AM

Thanks for your replies! I'll see if Godlyke will honour their "lifetime warranty" before deciding on a different replacement. Thanks again.

shinobi · #5 06-10-2009, 07:54 AM

godlyke released a new device:

http://godlyke.com/shopping/pgm-more...age_num=1&=SID

Using proprietary technology, the GH-1 Ground Hound creates an isolated ground connection for any effect unit that is powered off the PA-9 Power-All.

besides, yours is the older 1700mA power-all, while the current version puts out 2000mA.

you're probably due for an upgrade

CrispyDelicious · #6 06-10-2009, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinobi

godlyke released a new device:

http://godlyke.com/shopping/pgm-more...age_num=1&=SID

Using proprietary technology, the GH-1 Ground Hound creates an isolated ground connection for any effect unit that is powered off the PA-9 Power-All.

besides, yours is the older 1700mA power-all, while the current version puts out 2000mA.

you're probably due for an upgrade

As a godlyke user, I am interested. Thank you. Could anyone elaborate on this in laymen's terms?

shinobi · #7 06-10-2009, 08:13 AM

i don't know how to translate that. but i THINK it's supposed to give your daisy chain isolated outputs

very little info other than what godlyke has provided, and there doesn't even seem to be any pics floating around

CrispyDelicious · #8 06-10-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shinobi

i don't know how to translate that. but i THINK it's supposed to give your daisy chain isolated outputs

very little info other than what godlyke has provided, and there doesn't even seem to be any pics floating around

Yeah, so far that's what I'm guessing. Looks like we will have to wait for more info.

CrispyDelicious · #9 06-10-2009, 08:21 AM

My local guitar shop has them on order. If nobody else gets a chance, I will check them out iin detail when they arrive (a week or so). Isolated outputs on a daisy chain could be nifty, rather than dropping $200 for a big box of power supply.

bongomania · #10 06-10-2009, 08:51 AM

Even I (a diehard daisy-chain hater) would jump onboard if their isolated-ground thing actually works well. The one thing I hate about the big isolated bricks is their low available amperage per outlet, and there are some pedals that need big amperage.

CrispyDelicious · #11 06-10-2009, 09:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Even I (a diehard daisy-chain hater) would jump onboard if their isolated-ground thing actually works well. The one thing I hate about the big isolated bricks is their low available amperage per outlet, and there are some pedals that need big amperage.

That's always baffled me. Huge supples like t-rex that can only do 500 mA on all 8 9v outlets, whereas a $40 godlyke can do 2000mA. Silly. I'm definitely going to report back with news when I get my hands on one.

shinobi · #12 06-10-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CrispyDelicious

My local guitar shop has them on order. If nobody else gets a chance, I will check them out iin detail when they arrive (a week or so). Isolated outputs on a daisy chain could be nifty, rather than dropping $200 for a big box of power supply.

my local shop has.... nothing on order. awesome.

the low amperage of power supplies is a pain as it puts alot of limitations on daisy chaining.

i used to have a t-rex fueltank jr. but immediately sold it when it caused my ehx stereo electric mistress to hum, despite its isolated outputs (ironically the SEM subsequently got sold as well)

godlyke's claims seem ambitious to say the least. but if it works, how awesome would that be?

CrispyDelicious · #13 06-10-2009, 10:52 AM

Very awesome.

mikeboth · #14 06-10-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabu

I think in total they draw 1500mA and the Powerall is rated at 1700mA. My pedals are never always all on anyway.

All pedals are 'on' (in terms of current draw) as soon as you have a DC power supply and input (or sometimes output) 1/4" plug stuck into them.

Have you tried only one pedal connected to the p/s? Does the noise also occur then?

Sabu · #15 06-10-2009, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeboth

All pedals are 'on' (in terms of current draw) as soon as you have a DC power supply and input (or sometimes output) 1/4" plug stuck into them.

Have you tried only one pedal connected to the p/s? Does the noise also occur then?

Yes, I tried every variable I could think of (although it's certainly possible I forgot one).

I took my pedals off the board and tried each individually:

w/Battery power: no hum

w/Dedicated power supply (e.g. Tech 21 100mA PSU for SansAmp): no hum

w/Godlyke Powerall: hum

I tried the amp and Powerall in separate outlets across the room from each other, both in the same outlet (via an extension cord w/multiple outlets) etc.

The common result every time was that the Powerall caused noticeable hum while the other options did not.

I've read on some other threads that filtering could be an issue, moreso than isolation - any thoughts?

Again, thanks everyone for your help!

mikeboth · #16 06-10-2009, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sabu

Yes, I tried every variable I could think of (although it's certainly possible I forgot one).

Sounds like you've explored pretty much every combination. If the behaviour with the Godlyke p/s has changed, then it does seem to indicate something has happened with the unit.

BTW it can be useful to differentiate 'noise' (high-pitched unwanted artificats like hissing etc) from 'hum' (generally at the line frequency of the electricity supply, caused by ground loops etc) as they have different causes and hence also solutions. Switching power supplies can cause strange 'noise' issues (eg with some Line 6 pedals) that have their own internal 'switching' system, but it doesn't sound like that is the case with what is happening there.

Good luck getting it sorted out!

Sabu · #17 06-10-2009, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeboth

Sounds like you've explored pretty much every combination. If the behaviour with the Godlyke p/s has changed, then it does seem to indicate something has happened with the unit.

BTW it can be useful to differentiate 'noise' (high-pitched unwanted artificats like hissing etc) from 'hum' (generally at the line frequency of the electricity supply, caused by ground loops etc) as they have different causes and hence also solutions. Switching power supplies can cause strange 'noise' issues (eg with some Line 6 pedals) that have their own internal 'switching' system, but it doesn't sound like that is the case with what is happening there.

Good luck getting it sorted out!

I think it's more of a hissing but it sounds different from the usual hissing that cranking the treble control might cause. I guess you'd have to hear it personally as my bad description isn't helping

If I drop the high mids on the amp completely the hiss/hum is gone...but I don't want to play without mids.

So I went to the local music shop. The guys there are really helpful and they let me try out a Gator G-Bus-8 with my pedals...same result as the Godlyke

I think I might look into getting some analog effects...!

Thanks again for your help.