DO IT!!! Just make sure you video it and throw it on YouTube so we can goof on you later 
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18v into 9v OD Pedal
- Thread starter Being and Bass
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- 18v 9v bass pedal od
Unless the applied voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of components in the device, in which case it will then draw all of the available current or none depending on the mode of the component failure. But I speak only in general terms.
I'd especially be wary of going outside the manufacturer's published operating specs even if twenty people are saying they've done it.
Pedal builders will sometimes change a design or the components they're using due to availability or in an attempt to lower their costs. So just because using a higher voltage is working with someone else's pedal doesn't automatically mean it's going to work with yours. Under the hood your pedals may be very different.
Not too long ago while rushing around, I inadvertently plugged a fairly expensive 9V pedal into an 18V supply. Things worked fine for about three minutes. And then it died.
Lesson learned: Don't. And even if you don't, double check it before you plug it in.
Pedal builders will sometimes change a design or the components they're using due to availability or in an attempt to lower their costs. So just because using a higher voltage is working with someone else's pedal doesn't automatically mean it's going to work with yours. Under the hood your pedals may be very different.
Not too long ago while rushing around, I inadvertently plugged a fairly expensive 9V pedal into an 18V supply. Things worked fine for about three minutes. And then it died.
Lesson learned: Don't. And even if you don't, double check it before you plug it in.
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You mean the Crayon overdrive, not the Canyon delay, right? I assume this since you mention it's in the Hot Wax in the next comment.
I have the EHX Glove, and it has an internal switch that will let you run it at 18v instead of 9v, exactly for this purpose of more headroom. The Crayon manual doesn't mention anything like this in the design (Hot Wax manual doesn't seem to be on the site yet), so I personally wouldn't experiment and risk losing both the Crayon and the Hot Tubes in one instant. I've fried a pedal with wrong polarity before...different issue but same heart sinking feeling.
Don't do it unless the manufacturers say it's ok.
Extra voltage will get dissipated (if you are lucky) as heat with no benefit.
All electronics contain smoke. It's important to keep the smoke inside them.
Letting it out is very bad.
Extra voltage will get dissipated (if you are lucky) as heat with no benefit.
All electronics contain smoke. It's important to keep the smoke inside them.
Letting it out is very bad.
There is no "unless". The definition of current and voltage don't change. Also, you can't just look at component ratings. The circuit might have a voltage pump inside.
I get that you are using the correct definition but others were not and had to be corrected.
It was a sad attempt at a philosophy joke.
As someone who studied philosophy I thought it rather good and had a solid laugh. Thanks.
I bought a Nocturne pedal and it says right in the instructions not to use more than 9 volts.
DO IT!!! Just make sure you video it and throw it on YouTube so we can goof on you later
This.
I would appreciate then if you would correct those you feel are in error directly so they know who they are.
Thank you.
Then don't start your reply with unless which would indicate that there was an exception that would somehow vindicate what I was trying to correct. You know, if we are going to try and be technically correct.
I believe sir, that you misunderstood me. I was not correcting you. I merely was adding to your comment which I also happen to agree with.
Take both comments in context of each other and see if you can see my intent.
"Generally speaking, electronic circuits DRAW power. Power isn't PUSHED into them. So the pedal will only take what it wants." "Unless the applied voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of components in the device, in which case it will draw all of the available current or none depending on the mode of the component failure. But I speak only in general terms."
We both spoke about this in general terms. I added the comment about voltage to your comment about current. They both go hand in hand. I was not correcting anything you said. Nor was there any intent on my part to vindicate a statement that you opposed. If you read my comment as being in opposition to your's then I am sorry. That was not my intent.
If you believe that my statement is in error, then I am open to hearing your explanation of why that is. You know, if we're going to be technically correct.
Thank you.
It was a sad attempt at a philosophy joke.
I have been thinking lately that people always say "tone is in the fingers" when really it's all in our ears
This isn't correct when talking about voltage...
Devices are forced to operate at whatever voltage you supply it. While some circuits are pretty lenient with voltage or even designed to accept a wide range of input voltage, this is not always the case. Current is a different story, it's perfectly fine to have a bit of overhead since the device will only draw the amount it needs.
That being said, you could probably boost the voltage of your average pedal a bit. Doubling it might be taking it too far unless it was designed for it.
Is that 9.6 unloaded terminal voltage?
Would the actual in-use voltage be something less?
This is a regulated supply of 9.6V:
There are a lot more manufacturers with 9.6V regulated supplies.
-Frank
Generally speaking, electronic circuits DRAW power. Power isn't PUSHED into them. So the pedal will only take what it wants.
I think I did read that one of the high-end LPF/HPF/Pre pedals (maybe Broughton?) gained headroom from higher voltage to a point. But I don't think that is very common.
So while there may be some pedals that benefit from higher voltage, if I had to bet I would say the Crayon isn't one if them.
If you want it to have more headroom, I suggest boosting signal in front of it, not voltage.
Keep in mind that I do repair electronic equipment for a living, but I'm new to pedals. So there's a chance I'm FOS.
They will only draw as much current as they require, but if you feed it a higher voltage than designed it's not like it will only use up 9 of those 18V. It will suck up those 18V and some components could potentially pop if they aren't rated for it. Your average transistor gain stage will have less distortion and more headroom at a higher voltage though, as far as I know this applies to most pedals. I've tried numerous overdrive/fuzz pedals at higher voltages and they all made a (subtle) difference.
And boosting the signal in front of it would give you less headroom, not more!
Adamixoye
A PT Pro is cool for worship, right?
- Apr 9, 2012
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