Should I send it back?

zuma · Jan 25, 2008

I was looking for a power supply for my Trace Elliot SMX Compressor pedal so I bought this Dunlop unit from AMS. In between shipping and arrival someone here on TB offered to sell me an original (NOS) Trace adapter at about triple the price of the Dunlop. My main question is: Will the Dunlop work?

From the SMX manual:

An AC mains adaptor is available for the SMX PEDAL, this is a special 18V
regulated DC unit and is available from TRACE ELLIOT as an optional extra.

Supply
Internal 18v from 2, 9 v
batteries (MN1604)
Average load 6.5mA
Max load 10mA
Average life 75 hours
External supply 18v DC adaptor.
Centre pin negative.

Please see attached scans of the Dunlop box. I don't want to fry my pedal! The whole AC/DC thing still confuses me when it comes to pedals. Some pedals are AC, some DC...I'm just a numbskull with that stuff. :crying:

I don't mind spending the $ on the Trace pedal but hey, if it works for $20 why spend $60?

deaf pea · Jan 25, 2008

It looks like the "Jim Dunlop" branded adapter has the right specs . . .

Please let me know (via PM) if it works OK for you . . . I've got a few of those T E SMX Dual Comp pedals, but only I power supply . . . If I could use that Dunlop one, it would be much simpler to leave 1 SMX Dual Comp pedal with my "travel light" SVT-Pro Preamp (at the studio where I work)) and another one with the SVT-3Pro's (at our rehearsal space/equipment storage place) . . .

I have to always think ahead (to have the T E power supply in the place needed) . . .

zuma · Jan 25, 2008

OK,

I'll grow some and plug it in. I'll let you know what happens. Besides, if I fry it, you'll just sell me one of yours right?!

deaf pea · Jan 25, 2008

zuma said:
OK,

I'll grow some and plug it in. I'll let you know what happens. Besides, if I fry it, you'll just sell me one of yours right?!

Huh?

DavidRavenMoon · Jan 25, 2008

The Dunlop is 10 mA, and the TE is 150 mA. Seems to me the TE puts out more current which might be needed by the pedal. Also the TE is regulated, which might not be the case with the Dunlop.

newfuture · Jan 25, 2008

zuma said:
My main question is: Will the Dunlop work?

An AC mains adaptor is available for the SMX PEDAL, this is a special 18V
regulated DC unit and is available from TRACE ELLIOT as an optional extra.

Supply
Internal 18v from 2, 9 v
batteries (MN1604)
Average load 6.5mA
Max load 10mA
Average life 75 hours
External supply 18v DC adaptor.
Centre pin negative.

Please see attached scans of the Dunlop box. I don't want to fry my pedal! The whole AC/DC thing still confuses me when it comes to pedals. Some pedals are AC, some DC...I'm just a numbskull with that stuff.

It looks like the TE pedal has a max draw of 10mA. From your pic, the dunlop provides an output of 150mA, and is the correct polarity, so you should be fine. As davidravenmoon says, the regulation could be important. If you find the smx hums a lot more on the dunlop than on batteries, you should find a regulated PS...but $60 for a wall-wart is kinda insane.

edit: just saw that the Dunlop is regulated. It should work just fine.

12bass · Jan 25, 2008

According to the Trace SMX manual, the compressor draws 10 mA maximum current. Thus, the 150 mA Dunlop adapter will have more than enough current to power the pedal. What remains to be seen is how well regulated the DC output is, and whether it will produce hum....

DavidRavenMoon · Jan 25, 2008

12bass said:
According to the Trace SMX manual, the compressor draws 10 mA maximum current. Thus, the 150 mA Dunlop adapter will have more than enough current to power the pedal. What remains to be seen is how well regulated the DC output is, and whether it will produce hum....

I just realized both pictures are the Dunlop....

Yeah, should work then.

zuma · Jan 26, 2008

I'm going to try it tomorrow and I'll report back. Thanks everyone.

bongomania · Jan 26, 2008

The specs on the box are all great, but I wonder if the plug will match. IIRC the center pin of the TE jack is 2.5mm, not 2.1. If it fits you should be all good.

JanusZarate · Jan 26, 2008

The Dunlop adapter is 2.1mm - it's what their 18VDC pedals and the DC Brick use. They don't make a pedal with a 2.5mm barrel jack, IIRC. :hmm:

So if the TE comp is indeed 2.5mm... you're out of luck with this one.

zuma · Jan 26, 2008

You beat me to it MysticBoo...

Now that's a buzzkill...I just tried it and the Dunlop's jack is most definitely too small for the Trace SMX pedal. Back it goes!

So, for the record, if you have a Trace SMX compressor pedal like me this Dunlop adapter doesn't fit.

Thanks all.

5stringwonder · Jan 27, 2008

Wouldn't attaching one of the L6 Adaptors for the 1 Spot / Godlyke adaptors solve the problem?

zuma · Jan 27, 2008

Can you elaborate on this?

zuma · Jan 27, 2008

OK, I looked into both the 1 spot and the Godlyke cables and it seems like a great option...are you saying that the "Line 6" adapters fit a 2.5mm plug like the trace unit has? I am assuming the other end would plug right in to the 2.1mm Dunlop side.

zuma · Jan 27, 2008

From the Godlyke distributing site:

http://www.godlyke.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=60&thiscat=51&frompage=Online_Store&page_num=1&=SID

This is the part that concerns me:

The Cable-Green features a reverse-polarity barrel connector with a larger internal diameter designed specifically for use w/Line-6 Modelers.

Does reverse-polarity have something to do with the center pin being negative? Do you guys think it would work? It would be great if we could have a cheap solution in place for owners of these Trace pedals.

Trevor.A · Jan 27, 2008

zuma said:
From the Godlyke distributing site:

http://www.godlyke.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=60&thiscat=51&frompage=Online_Store&page_num=1&=SID

This is the part that concerns me:

The Cable-Green features a reverse-polarity barrel connector with a larger internal diameter designed specifically for use w/Line-6 Modelers.

Does reverse-polarity have something to do with the center pin being negative? Do you guys think it would work? It would be great if we could have a cheap solution in place for owners of these Trace pedals.

Reverse polarity is no good, however I think they have another adapter that switches the polarity

It would be kinda ridiculous, but I think it would work.

zuma · Jan 27, 2008

Trevor.A said:
Reverse polarity is no good, however I think they have another adapter that switches the polarity It would be kinda ridiculous, but I think it would work.

Yeah, I could see that "chain" of plugs being really fragile for one thing.

I'm assuming this plug does the same (you have to scroll down the page): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

At the moment it seems we're back to square one with this thing.

Trevor.A · Jan 27, 2008

zuma said:
Yeah, I could see that "chain" of plugs being really fragile for one thing.

I'm assuming this plug does the same (you have to scroll down the page): [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

At the moment it seems we're back to square one with this thing.

From what I've seen, the adapters hold together pretty securely, I couldn't imagine them just coming apart. It also might be possible to buy a 2.5mm tip and replace the original, if your OK with that. Or I think all the Line 6 adapter does to reverse the polarity is switch the - and + wires. You could get the Line 6 adapter, cut it in half and switch them back. I'm just looking to give you some options rather than spending another $40 on a power supply...

theshadow2001 · Jan 27, 2008

zuma said:
From the SMX manual:

An AC mains adaptor is available for the SMX PEDAL, this is a special 18V
regulated DC unit and is available from TRACE ELLIOT as an optional extra.

Supply
Internal 18v from 2, 9 v
batteries (MN1604)
Average load 6.5mA
Max load 10mA
Average life 75 hours
External supply 18v DC adaptor.
Centre pin negative.

Does anyone else find that the average life of the unit being 75 hours really really crap? Or have I mis-interpreted this spec.

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