Power Strip or Batteries

tb420 · #1 01-30-2010, 04:26 PM

Whats your preference?
I'm making a pedal board so i can easy make a space for a power strip but I would think the wires would get pretty obnoxious. A clean board of just the pedals with batteries would be a easier IMO.

Swift713 · #2 01-30-2010, 04:30 PM

I use a One Spot http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ter?sku=151686

tb420 · #3 01-30-2010, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

I use a One Spot http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ter?sku=151686

Ok your gonna have to explain that to me

Swift713 · #4 01-30-2010, 04:43 PM

It's a 9 volt adapter with a daisy chain that will power 5 pedals.

Swift713 · #5 01-30-2010, 04:44 PM

here,
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ack?sku=150373

tb420 · #6 01-30-2010, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swift713

here,
http://accessories.musiciansfriend.c...ack?sku=150373

Ok now it makes sense, didn't understand how it would power more than one pedal.

That certainly seems convenient and would make up the cost of batteries in a short time.....

Kromwarp · #7 01-30-2010, 04:56 PM

Batteries are definatley not easier, IMHO. Cords are a little messier, but save you money in the long run. Try the One Spot, as mentioned above, other good alternatives are power supplys like the Dunlop Brick, or Voodoo Lab Pedal Power

SoonerMatt · #8 01-30-2010, 05:25 PM

The cheaper derivatives that (from what I've seen) work just as well are the Artec Power Brick and the BBE Supa Charger, respectively.

NKBassman · #9 01-30-2010, 05:30 PM

Definitely not batteries. Get yourself a multi power supply for sure.

**jmattbassplaya** · #10 01-30-2010, 05:35 PM

There`s really no advantage from using batteries. Get a 1Spot power supply if you`re using 5 or less pedals. Get a DC Brick of Voodoo Labs for more than 5.

walker rosewood · #11 01-30-2010, 05:39 PM

the 1spot also has an 8 link daisy chain. You can also link daisy chains together. It has 1700 mA of power, so as long as you don't exceed that you can power as many pedals as you want. Analog pedals use much less power, for example a BDDI is about 7mA. Digital pedals are usually a bit more, around 200mA.

tb420 · #12 01-30-2010, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmattbassplaya

There`s really no advantage from using batteries. Get a 1Spot power supply if you`re using 5 or less pedals. Get a DC Brick of Voodoo Labs for more than 5.

Hmmm. The schematics of my board make the Brick or PP2+ seem like the better option but with only a few pedals I don't know that it would be worth it....Back to the drawing board I suppose.

Thanks for the insight

Unrepresented · #13 01-30-2010, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tb420

Hmmm. The schematics of my board make the Brick or PP2+ seem like the better option but with only a few pedals I don't know that it would be worth it....Back to the drawing board I suppose.

Thanks for the insight

I have never yet had an issue where I've cursed about having too many options available for powering pedals. Realistically, you're not going to keep the same pedals, the same number of pedals, or the same powered pedals that you currently have. Flexibility is advantageous.

Frettage · #14 01-31-2010, 12:50 AM

Will this work with EHX pedals? I was told that using the wrong power supply can fry them.

rratajski · #15 01-31-2010, 07:08 AM

Batteries are bad for the environment, so I do my part.
Give a hoot, don't pollute.

Step · #16 01-31-2010, 08:08 AM

I have a question about 1-spot adapters, they are sold here in holland, but only in combination with 5-spot daisy chain cables, I have 8 analog pedals so I think I won't exceed the Ma draw.

would it be possible to buy 2 5-spot cables and connect them to each other or would this be dangerous? or is it easy or possible to solder these cables? I went to a local electronics shop and they didn't know how easy it was to solder it

thanks in advance

lowfreq33 · #17 01-31-2010, 08:19 AM

One Spots aren't always a good idea. They don't supply enough power for some pedals (EHX for example), and they can cause ground issues. The DC Brick isn't much better, it's basically a daisy chained power supply in a chassis. The Voodoo Labs is the only power supply I'd recommend, it's transformer isolated, so no ground issues, and has plenty of power. I'm running 9 pedals off of mine (there's a 3 prong outlet on the back), and that's with a few big power hogs. It also has you covered if you have any 12 or 18 volt pedals, and there's a "sag" feature on 2 outputs that simulates a dying battery if you're into that sort of thing.

Ric5 · #18 01-31-2010, 08:36 AM

batteries suck

fivestringgecko · #19 01-31-2010, 08:39 AM

Agreed, batteries are a pain.

I currently use Dunlop Brick(s) for my board(s), but have been thinking about building new boards and switching to 1-spots. I've never had any power issues with the Brick, which supplies up to 1000mA in a combination of 9V/18V, and I've had sometimes 2 or 3 EHX pedals on a board at the same time. The 1-spot supplies even more power, up to 1700mA, and the combo pack will power 8 pedals (here in the States anyway). It doesn't look like it will power 18V pedals, but I've only got a couple of those and I don't really use them that often anyway.

Step, I'm certainly not an electronics expert, but right on the Visual Sound 1-spot website, it says "Connects to additional cables to power more pedals," (8th bullet at the bottom of the page, in feature section) and it looks like no soldering would be required. Not saying I would personally DO that, but as long as you don't exceed the max current draw, I'd think you'd be okay? Anyone else know for sure?

5sg.

gjbassist · #20 01-31-2010, 08:40 AM

I just finished a new pedal board with five pedals on it. All powered by a One Spot power supply. I drilled holes in the board where the plug connects to each pedal. All the wires for the One Spot run underneath the board so they are not visible from the top. Don't use batteries. It will cost much more over time and create more waste!