Battery Drain with Active P'ups Forgetting to unplug

[foulmouthbass]

I always forget to unplug my bass with active electronics which kills the 9v battery. If I were to remember to use it, would a circuit breaker cable, like the link below, prevent the battery from dying?

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Guitar-Cable-Circuit-Straight/dp/B0002GMGV8

I can hear people now saying "if you can't remember to unplug it you wont remember to use the switch." But, I think I would get used to it if using it as a mute switch while taking breaks etc.

Anyway, concerns about my memory aside, would it actually stop the draw on the battery? My brain says it would NOT because contact is still made but I have little knowledge of these things. Pic for attention.

 

[Lobster11]

No, that won't solve your problem.

Besides, I have a feeling that now that you've become so concerned about it, and have written a post about it, you will remember to unplug from now on.

 

[Killing Floor]

No, that won't solve your problem.

Besides, I have a feeling that now that you've become so concerned about it, and have written a post about it, you will remember to unplug from now on.

Posting is the first step.

 

[bholder]

I have to wonder how hard it would be to design a little onboard gadget that says "if there's been no signal for x minutes, cut the power"...

 

[Snert]

I have to wonder how hard it would be to design a little onboard gadget that says "if there's been no signal for x minutes, cut the power"...

Not difficult, but it's always going to have to draw power so that it can monitor when in the OFF state so that when you go to use it again, it will turn back on, or else you're going to need a switch to turn it back on. It will also be using current to monitor when the bass is in use, reducing battery life. Also, what if the monitor circuit goes faulty mid gig and turns off your bass? Won't simply having it be anxiety inducing for some here?

I really don't get people not being able to perform such a simple task as unplugging a bass when not in use, yet still being (relatively) functional in the world to take care of kids, dogs, turning off their car when in the garage, applying the park brake on an incline etc.

 

[Raenil]

I had a bass technician remove the active circuit from my bass for the same reason.
Never used it anyway.

 

[johnh89]

I had a bass technician remove the active circuit from my bass for the same reason.
Never used it anyway.

Why did you buy an active bass then ?​

 

[Jazzdogg]

I really don't get people not being able to perform such a simple task as unplugging a bass when not in use, yet still being (relatively) functional in the world to take care of kids, dogs, turning off their car when in the garage, applying the park brake on an incline etc.

After playing nothing but passive basses during my first 30 years as a bassist, learning the ins and outs of active basses took a little while. That's one answer to your question.

 

[geeza]

Who leaves their bass always plugged in? That's just asking for problems regardless of the electronics

 

[39-Bassist]

Could just put a on/off toggle switch to the jack wires...pretty simple

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I always forget to unplug my bass with active electronics which kills the 9v battery. If I were to remember to use it, would a circuit breaker cable, like the link below, prevent the battery from dying?

https://www.amazon.com/DAddario-Guitar-Cable-Circuit-Straight/dp/B0002GMGV8

I can hear people now saying "if you can't remember to unplug it you wont remember to use the switch." But, I think I would get used to it if using it as a mute switch while taking breaks etc.

Anyway, concerns about my memory aside, would it actually stop the draw on the battery? My brain says it would NOT because contact is still made but I have little knowledge of these things. Pic for attention.

On/off switch connected between the battery ground, and the tip pin. Simple. The battery ground is already soldered to the output jack. Just cut it, and hook it up to a switch

 

[Neil Folkard]

I've done this before too, and am a bit surprised at how many have responded negatively to it. I'm just not programmed to automatically unplug a bass at home. I rehearse/practice and then turn off my amp. Never really though much about unplugging my bass until one day I got a bass that's draws power when it's plugged in.

It's happened enough now, that I hope that I'm over it and will remember in the future.

 

[Warpeg]

Instead of using a switch or remembering to unplug you cable, you could just get in the habit of removing and reinstalling your battery each time.

 

[kevrex]

leave your dead batteries on top of your amp. you'll remember to unplug after they start to stack up.

 

[Nebadon2000]

I have had my moments too: but I am getting use to the Unplugging

My Bass is Active/Passive so I am always covered.

You would think if there is a easy solution
A Product of some sort would be available
or a thread here with instructions considering the multi dozens of post complaining about Active Basses and their batteries

 

[metron]

The rack where I put my bass after Im done playing is on the other side of the room from my amp. The cable doesn’t reach so I never forget to unplug.

 

[kgbeast]

I just use rechargeable batteries. If they die, put a charged one in a the dead on the charger.

 

[bobcruz]

I just use rechargeable batteries. If they die, put a charged one in a the dead on the charger.

I tried using rechargeable Li-ion batteries and they were noisy as heck, so I went back to nonrechargeable alkalines. The rechargeables had internal circuitry for the charging function and also a SMPS to increase internal cell voltage to 9V, which injected noise.

 

[rojo412]

Who leaves their bass always plugged in? That's just asking for problems regardless of the electronics

How DARE you kink-shame me!?!

All kidding aside though, yeah... that's just an invitation for more trouble.
A 9V battery is expensive to replace these days, sure. But trip over the cable on a plugged in bass on a stand... watch it fall over... it breaks the jack out of the body, neck smacks against the ground, maybe breaks off a headstock...

These are the reasons to NOT leave a bass plugged in. It's a free world and you can do what you wish, but this is why I unplug.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

Just unplug your bass, that’s the easiest solution.