Using a general power supply in pedalboard

[HumpZiZ]

This might be a stupid question but what is the problem of using a general power supply to power a pedalboard? Like this: 12V 5A switching power supply ID: 352 - $24.95 : Adafruit Industries, Unique & fun DIY electronics and kits

I have some pedals which needs together something like 1700mA 12V DC power and I thought if I could just buy a general power supply and power the pedals with a daisy chain cable. Will that kind of connecting cause some problems?

 

[Crater]

Will that kind of connecting cause some problems?

It can and sometimes does. The main problem is that daisy-chain power supplies create a ground loop - there will be two separate ground paths: one through the signal cables' shielding, and the other through the power supply's return (-) line. However, plenty of people use daisy-chain power supplies with no issues. It's hard to know ahead of time, you'll just have to try it and see how it works.

Daisy chain supplies seem to work fine if you have only have a few pedals and those pedals are newer more modern pedals What pedals are you wanting to power from this supply? That power supply appears to be a laptop power supply, I don't know how well it will work for an audio equipment application.

 

[HumpZiZ]

It can and sometimes does. The main problem is that daisy-chain power supplies create a ground loop - there will be two separate ground paths: one through the signal cables' shielding, and the other through the power supply's return (-) line. However, plenty of people use daisy-chain power supplies with no issues. It's hard to know ahead of time, you'll just have to try it and see how it works.

Daisy chain supplies seem to work fine if you have only have a few pedals and those pedals are newer more modern pedals What pedals are you wanting to power from this supply? That power supply appears to be a laptop power supply, I don't know how well it will work for an audio equipment application.

Thank you for your answer.

I'm planning to power markbass super synth, compressore and chorus/flanger. The reason why I'm considering this powering option is that I know just one pedal power supply that has enough power for my use (I have other pedals too) and it costs ovet 400 so this laptop supply is an intresting option.

At the moment I have one pedal power supply for the other pedals and every markbass pedals is powered by their own supply.

 

[ak56]

Things you need to watch out for going that route:

1. Power supplies that are not designed for audio use may have poor filtering and may be very noisy.

2. Is the output connector the right size for your pedals?

3. Do your pedals require a center positive or center negative connector.

 

[thedovewarlord]

There are several options for isolated power, all around $150.

Check out Walrus Audio's Aetos, MXR DC Brick, Voodoo Lab. They're not cheap, but if avoiding noise/hum/grounding problems is important to you.
Then figure out which is the best product option for you. Take every pedal you own and locate the manual and note the connection type, voltage & draw each pedal requires. Example: my XO BASS MICRO SYNTH requires 55mA at 9VDC. The polarity of the power jack is center negative. Each product has variations in availble ports.

 

[TedH]

If you have multiple pedals, especially compression and distortion/drive/fuzz, get an iso power supply. Worth the money vs. the non-isolated. I have the Cioks 5 and it is quiet as a church mouse with a Keeley compressor, Darkglass, and chorus. The non-iso are cheaper for a reason.

 

[Bassmike62]

If you have multiple pedals, especially compression and distortion/drive/fuzz, get an iso power supply. Worth the money vs. the non-isolated.

This. I went for the newer MXR IsoBrick myself. Personally I wouldn't use something not designed for powering pedals... It would just kill me to fry them.