Running 9v Pedals at 18v?

[MK1]

I'm having a hard time finding any info on this subject, but if it has been covered already please feel free to direct me to any threads pertaining to the subject.

Is it safe to run most pedals at higher voltages than is suggested? I've read quite a few pedal descriptions from boutique pedal builders stating you can run the pedals at 18v instead of 9v for added headroom. I thought I also read somewhere that the only reason pedal companies recommend using a 9v power supply is simply because that is what voltage a 9v battery supplies.

I'm asking this because I've been using my Pork Loin with my Mustang bass and I love using the low gain just to fatten up my signal going into a DI. But I just had a Dark Star put into it and now the pedal breaks up more than I want. Can I run the PL at 18v and get some of my headroom back?

Thanks for any help.

[Slackerprince]

I posted this once and was told it would fry the pedal.
Let's see what you get.


S.

[MK1]

The Pork Loin specifically? or the pedal you asked about?

[AwkwardLoudness]

9v to 18v does increase headroom in some pedals, but not all pedals have components that handle the increased voltage. I'm not sure if the Way Huge Pork Loin can take the voltage or not, so contact the manufacturer to be certain before attempting this.

[bongomania]

Originally Posted by AwkwardLoudness

9v to 18v does increase headroom in some pedals, but not all pedals have components that handle the increased voltage. I'm not sure if the Way Huge Pork Loin can take the voltage or not, so contact the manufacturer to be certain before attempting this.

+1 exactly.

[MooseLumps]

Only run a 9 volter at 18 if you hear form a reliable source that it can run 18volts. Digital pedals will most likely blow a component. Some 9 volters actually have a device known as a charge pump that takes 9 volts and doubles it so the pedal actually is running at 18 volts. If it's not in the official literature, not modified to perform with 18, or you can't find a reliable source that will set you straight either way, I'd avoid it.

[MK1]

I just got confirmation from Dunlop customer support that the Pork Loin can be run at 18v.

[fokof]

A fried pork loin is very good , just ate that ....

[Headless Llama]

Originally Posted by MK1

I just got confirmation from Dunlop customer support that the Pork Loin can be run at 18v.

Does it sound any better/different?

[kjs]

Depends on what the capacitors are rated at. A lot of pedals use 12v caps.

The rule of thumb is: make sure your components can handle at least double the normal voltage. (in this case, even 12 isn't following the rule)

With that said, sometimes you can and sometimes you cannot (without smelly consequences).

[MK1]

Originally Posted by Headless Llama

Does it sound any better/different?

There is a lot more headroom now. I can turn the gain up to about 10 or 11:00 before it really starts to break up.

[aledeville]

Let me get this straight, you buy an overdrive pedal, then double the voltage that it doesn't overdrive too much...

What's headroom in a pedal anyway?

[synaesthesia]

Originally Posted by kjs

Depends on what the capacitors are rated at. A lot of pedals use 12v caps.

The rule of thumb is: make sure your components can handle at least double the normal voltage. (in this case, even 12 isn't following the rule)

With that said, sometimes you can and sometimes you cannot (without smelly consequences).

Not really, the capacitors do not determine the operating voltage of a circuit; each circuit is different; and each circuit has a range of voltage that would be optimum for performance. Some have regulators and will regulate it to a fixed voltage within. A typical IC will have an operating voltage, below which it will not work and above which it will fry.

[kjs]

Originally Posted by synaesthesia

Not really, the capacitors do not determine the operating voltage of a circuit; each circuit is different; and each circuit has a range of voltage that would be optimum for performance. Some have regulators and will regulate it to a fixed voltage within. A typical IC will have an operating voltage, below which it will not work and above which it will fry.

Yes, there are exceptions and of course capacitors don't determine the operating voltage, but they do determine how much voltage a pedal can handle (among other components). If you run a pedal at 18v with capacitors that are rated at 12v, you run the risk of damaging the capacitors. edit-> (unless the circuit has a voltage regulator zzzzzzz)

So no, just because the components can handle 18v doesn't mean that it is worth running the circuit with that high of voltage.

[MK1]

Originally Posted by aledeville

Let me get this straight, you buy an overdrive pedal, then double the voltage that it doesn't overdrive too much...

What's headroom in a pedal anyway?

I wanted a light overdrive not everyone wants full on saturation. Which is what I was getting with the original pickup. When I installed a dark star in my mustang all I could get was heavy OD to distortion. So I doubled the voltage so I could get that light OD again.

It is possible to overload a pedal by putting too much signal into it. Sometimes adding more voltage can increase how much signal it can handle.

[aledeville]

Thanks for the enlightenment. Didn't know that.

[Eric Scholz]

I don't really know the answer, but I had a Boss TR-2 a while ago, and anytime it was engaged i would get a significant volume drop, so I tried it at 18v and it actually gave a slight volume boost. I ran it that way for about 6 months (before upgrading), and never had a problem with it. Boss says it's pedals can only run 9v but w/e. I wouldn't try it on any of my nicer pedals though.

[kenstee]

FWIW, all the Analogman Choruses can be run at 9v, 12v or 18v. In fact, they sound better IMHO at 18v. More headroom. Deeper bass. No adjustments or switches to fool with to make it happen. Just plug it in a let her rip.