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Helpful thread: Power Supplies for unusual voltage requirements (15v, specifically)

soundsupport1

soundsupport1

Aug 17, 2017
928
2,699
#1
Hi all,
I had a look here and there doesn't seem to be a thread that lists power supplies for unusual voltages.
This came up because I use two Eden pedals, which are centre-positive 15v pedals. Along with six 'normal' 9v pedals.
It took AAAAGES to find a selection of power supplies that would meet that need.
So perhaps to save some people some time, here are the options I found. Anyone who knows of others, feel free to add.

Palmer PWT-12 Mk 2: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
8 9v outputs, 4 outputs variable between 9-18v. This is the one I ended up buying.

MXR M 238 Iso Brick: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
6 9v outputs, 2 18v outputs, 2 outputs variable between 6-15v.

Cioks 'Cioks 8': Invalid Link Removed
4 9v outputs, 4 variable outputs between 9-18v. Not yet for sale, as far as I can see. NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH THE CIOKS DC8!

Cioks 'Ciokolate': https://www.thomannmusic.com/cioks_ciokolate.htm?ref=search_prv_6
3 9v outputs, 1 variable 4-15v, 1 variable 18/24v, 4 variable 9/12v, 4 variable 9-15v, 3 variable 9-16v AC. Pricey, but probably the most comprehensive power supply out there!

Those are power supplies, there are also power converters:

Radial Stagebug SB-15: StageBug SB-15 - Radial Engineering
A buffer that also takes two 9v inputs and converts them into 1 15v output.

Best value is the Xotic XVD-1 Voltage Doubler: Takes a 9v input and converts it to either 15v or 18v output: https://www.thomannmusic.com/xotic_voltage_doubler_xvd_1.htm?ref=search_prv_14

If you go for the GigRig system, there is also a 9v to 15v converter (the 'El Paso'): High Current Power Adapter

Hope this helps!
 
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#3
Johno Dunn said:
I have a GlowPlug, and would LOVE to eliminate the wall wart. With the Xotic, do I need a special cable from my power supply, or will the standard cable work?
Click to expand...

The Eden pedals are, unusually, center-positive. You'll need a polarity converter: fortunately, they're avaliable very cheaply. I use a Rockboard Power Ace Polarity Converter: https://www.thomannmusic.com/rockboard_power_ace_polarity_converter.htm (it does say $33 for shipping though, but I can't search US shopping results on Google!)

Other brands are avaliable: I think T-Rex makes one too. Sweetwater has one from TrueTone, but the reviews seem to be pretty hit-or-miss whether it works or not.

Guitar Center also has the Truetone, as well as this: Invalid Link Removed

So you'll be going power supply - cable - xotic power converter - polarity converter - Glowplug.

Hope that helps! BTW, I'm not sure what the current draw is for the Eden Pedals, the wall wart is rated 400mA but that might not mean anything. But best to make sure your power supply is nice and meaty.

Peace,
SoundSupport
 
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#4
soundsupport1 said:
Hi all,
I had a look here and there doesn't seem to be a thread that lists power supplies for unusual voltages.
This came up because I use two Eden pedals, which are centre-positive 15v pedals. Along with six 'normal' 9v pedals.
It took AAAAGES to find a selection of power supplies that would meet that need.
So perhaps to save some people some time, here are the options I found. Anyone who knows of others, feel free to add.

Palmer PWT-12 Mk 2: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
8 9v outputs, 4 outputs variable between 9-18v. This is the one I ended up buying.


Best value is the Xotic XVD-1 Voltage Doubler: Takes a 9v input and converts it to either 15v or 18v output: https://www.thomannmusic.com/xotic_voltage_doubler_xvd_1.htm?ref=search_prv_14


Hope this helps!
Click to expand...

Did the Palmer work? I bought a Caline, didn't work with my 15v equipment. Also, have you tried the voltage doubler? Does it reverse the polarity as well?
 
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#5
The Palmer works just fine. Didn't try anything else; I needed a new power supply anyway, so just went for the Palmer. The nice thing about the Palmer is that it has indicator lights for each output. If it's green, all is well. If it's red, there's a fault with that particular pedal/cable/output. Lets you isolate faults pretty fast.

Also, Palmer is the house brand for a much bigger pro audio company, Adam Hall: Adam Hall Group
So they know what they're doing. The Harley-Benton branded pedalboards from Thomann are just rebranded Palmers.

As to reverse polarity, see my reply to johno dunn, above.

Peace,
SoundSupport
 
Last edited:
#6
Since the rule here is pics or it didn't happen:
20190725_102835.jpg
The pedalboard from above.
20190725_102936.jpg
The Palmer, showing that all is well. The yellow light is the power input.
20190725_102910.jpg
The polarity converters into the Eden pedals.

Hope this helps!
Peace,
SoundSupport
 
#8
I should pick up a SB-15 for my radial device, but that also means that I need to get the proper cable for my Rat and then get another power supply to have enough nodes. I guess I could just get the X4 voodoo extender, it would give me enough to add the others that I'm still using the plug/batteries for.

Right now though, I'm just using a Voodoo 4x4. Really I'd need 7 minimum nodes to plug in to, and the OneSpot never worked right for me.
 
#9
Johno Dunn said:
Do you know how much amperage the GlowPlug needs?
Click to expand...

As mentioned above, there is no information anywhere about what amperage the GlowPlug needs. The nearest info I could find is the sticker on the original plug, which states that the plug is rated to 400mA. How much of that 400mA the GlowPlug actually draws is not availiable, and I haven't been able to find a customer support email address where I can ask. Maybe you can find out somehow.

That's one of the reasons I went for the Palmer over the MXR: the Palmer outputs are rated to 500mA, the MXR 15v outputs are only 250mA. I was worried about the WTDI and the GlowPlug not being able to draw enough current.

Hope that helps a bit.

Peace,
SoundSupport
 
#11
Johno Dunn said:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/de...-12-output-isolated-guitar-pedal-power-supply
Would the last outlet on this work with the voltage converter to power the Glowplug?
Click to expand...

The final output on that is a 9v AC. That wouldn't work: the Eden pedals are DC.
However, the two beside it on the far right - 9v DC 500mA, when combined with a voltage converter to 15v and a cable to reverse the polarity, would work just fine.

EDIT: Just seen that it includes a cable to reverse the polarity. So you'd just need to buy the voltage converter from 9v to 15v.

Hope that helps,
Peace,
SoundSupport
 
Last edited:
#12
soundsupport1 said:
The final output on that is a 9v AC. That wouldn't work: the Eden pedals are DC.
However, the two beside it on the far right - 9v DC 500mA, when combined with a voltage converter to 15v and a cable to reverse the polarity, would work just fine.

EDIT: Just seen that it includes a cable to reverse the polarity. So you'd just need to buy the voltage converter from 9v to 15v.

Hope that helps,
Peace,
SoundSupport
Click to expand...
It does! Thanks.
 
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#15
Johno Dunn said:
Okay, so on a lark, I tried powering the Glowplug with the 18v, 100ma port on the CS-12 using the center + adapter, and it works fine. Don’t know if that is kosher, or if I stand to damage the pedal or the power supply, but it seems to be working fine. Please advise!
Click to expand...

I'm not sure about the Glowplug, but I know the Tonebone will take an 18v insert instead of the 15v that it suggests. Radial says "it will reduce the expected lifetime from 20 years to 18 by doing so."
 
#17
Johno Dunn said:
I’ll be lucky to see another 18 years, so I’m going to assume I’m fine running it this way.
Click to expand...

Mind you, you're running a genuine tube 'hot' that way: I'd consider drilling a few holes in the casing, because the Glowplug has no ventilation and electrical fires are no fun.
That being said, even touching Eden kit automatically voids the warranty.

I don't know enough about electronics to advise you further, sorry!
Here's a picture of what the Glowplug internals look like, might help if you're planning to ventilate the pedal - you can see the tube running above the dials:
eden-glowplug-interior-0bc87551.jpg

As I say, I'm not an expert. Increased voltage decreases the lifespan of electrical components, but i have no idea what it does to valve-based technology!

Peace,
SoundSupport
 
#20
soundsupport1 said:
Mind you, you're running a genuine tube 'hot' that way: I'd consider drilling a few holes in the casing, because the Glowplug has no ventilation and electrical fires are no fun.
That being said, even touching Eden kit automatically voids the warranty.

I don't know enough about electronics to advise you further, sorry!
Here's a picture of what the Glowplug internals look like, might help if you're planning to ventilate the pedal - you can see the tube running above the dials:View attachment 3505208
As I say, I'm not an expert. Increased voltage decreases the lifespan of electrical components, but i have no idea what it does to valve-based technology!

Peace,
SoundSupport
Click to expand...
I've been checking, and nothing is running hot at all. I'll keep an eye on it, but everything seems Kosher so far.
 
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