Wiktor Wise
There are several ways to run a pedal without electricity. One way is to use batteries, which can be a convenient option as they allow for flexible positioning of pedals without the need for power cables. However, batteries have limitations, including the possibility of dying during performances and the cumulative costs of constant replacements. Another option is to use power bricks, which can distribute multiple power lines specifically designed for pedals. Additionally, pedal-powered generators are an innovative, eco-friendly, and cost-effective alternative to traditional electricity generation. These generators can be attached to the back wheel of a bicycle, harnessing the rotational energy to produce electricity. It is important to carefully match the voltage requirements of pedals to avoid potential damage and ensure proper functionality.
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What You'll Learn
Using batteries
One advantage of using batteries is that they are quiet and reliable, without the noise and power surges that can sometimes occur with wall power. However, batteries will eventually die, which can be inconvenient during a performance. Additionally, constantly replacing drained batteries can be costly and environmentally unfriendly. Some pedals also require unscrewing the backplate with a screwdriver to change the batteries, which is not ideal when playing live.
If you only have one pedal, using a battery might be a good option. However, for multiple pedals, it is recommended to use a power supply and daisy chain the pedals together. Alternatively, you can use a power brick that has multiple power outlet cables to plug into several pedals.
USB power banks, also known as USB batteries, offer a rechargeable alternative to traditional single-use batteries. These lithium-ion batteries have USB outputs and can be used with a power converter to power your pedals. While they may be more expensive upfront, they eliminate the need for constantly replacing single-use batteries.
In summary, using batteries to power your guitar pedals offers flexibility in pedal placement and can be reliable, but it is important to consider the potential drawbacks of battery life and environmental impact. For multiple pedals, a power supply or power brick might be a more suitable option.
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Power bricks
Most pedals require 9v DC power and have a low current requirement. However, some powerful digital pedals, such as the Strymon or Eventide pedals, have high power requirements due to their advanced sound processing capabilities. Therefore, it is important to ensure that the power brick can provide the necessary power to each pedal.
When using a power brick, it is crucial to match the voltage and current requirements of the pedals to the power output of the brick. Providing the wrong voltage can potentially damage the pedals. Current, measured in Amps (A), refers to the flow of electricity in a circuit, and most guitar pedals draw a small amount of current. While it is essential to ensure that the power supply provides enough current, it does not matter if it provides more current than the pedal requires, as long as it is not less.
Some guitarists prefer to use batteries to power their pedals, as it offers the freedom to position the pedals without being restricted by power cables. However, batteries eventually die, which can be inconvenient during live performances. Additionally, constantly replacing drained batteries can be costly.
It is worth noting that leaving a power brick plugged in for extended periods may not cause damage, but it may not be the best practice for electronics longevity. While some people prefer to unplug their power bricks between uses, others feel better leaving them on for days, especially for solid-state gear. Additionally, if pedals have batteries, it is recommended to remove them when not in use to prevent corrosion and potential damage to the pedals.
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Pedal-powered generators
Pedal power generators can be used for indoor or outdoor emergency power and off-grid power. They are a great way to teach students about energy, sustainability, and engineering in a fun and interactive way.
These generators can be used to power small devices like blenders and phone chargers. A standard phone charger takes about 20 watt-hours to fully charge a phone. Pedalling a bike at a reasonable pace generates about 100 watts of power, and a trained cyclist can sustain 400 watts for a more extended period.
The Bigfoot is a popular personal-use system, a 500-watt dual roller generator. Other options include 300-watt models, such as the Belt Drive.
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Isolated power supply
An isolated power supply is any device that creates a one-to-one, unshared electrical connection between a power source and a device drawing from that source. In other words, the source of power is "isolated" and not shared, preventing crossover between multiple sources of power.
Isolated power supplies are used to power guitar pedals. A good isolated power supply will provide convenient, clean, and reliable power to several pedals at once, using only a single power outlet. This can be achieved by mounting the power supply on or under the pedalboard, permanently hooking it up to all the pedals, and keeping everything tidy.
There are two main types of power supplies: Switch Mode and Toroidal (or Linear). Switch Mode supplies are often criticised for adding unwanted noise to the signal path. However, this is only true for cheap, poorly built Switch Mode supplies. If you buy a high-quality Switch Mode supply, you will hardly find any unwanted power-related noise in your signal path.
Some examples of isolated power supplies include the Voodoo Lab ISO 5, which can power up to five devices, all isolated, at one time. Another example is the Engine Room LVL8, which features eight independent and isolated pedal power outlets, six of which are high-current 9V outlets offering 500mA of current apiece, and the remaining two are switchable between 9V, 12V, and 18V.
Other affordable options for isolated power supplies include the Supa-Charger, which has been praised by users for its performance and price, and the Vitoos, which is a cheap alternative to the CIOKS isolated power supply.
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Current doubler
A current doubler is a simple DC cable that combines the current of two outputs to power a single pedal. It is commonly used to combine two 9V, 500mA outlets on a power supply to double the current to 1000mA, while the voltage stays the same (9V). This is useful when a pedal requires more current than any of your individual outlets can supply, for example, the Line6 HX Stomp.
The current doubler is similar to a splitter, and the two can be interchanged. However, it is important to note that the voltage of the two outputs needs to be the same, or the higher voltage output will attempt to push voltage into the lower voltage one, which can be dangerous. For example, to get to 24vDC, you need two (isolated) 12vDC outputs with a voltage doubler cable.
The current doubler adapter features two black 2.1mm barrel plugs that combine to a single green 2.1mm jack, which can be used with any standard power cable with a 2.1mm plug. It is important to note that this adapter will not combine the voltages of the original outputs, only the current supply will be combined.
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Frequently asked questions
One way to run a pedal without electricity is to use batteries. Some pedals accept both batteries and external power, while others require only one of the two. Another way to run a pedal without electricity is to use a power brick, which takes one plug from the wall or strip and distributes multiple power lines specifically for pedals.
It is important to match the voltage the pedal accepts with the voltage of the power supply. Providing the wrong voltage to a pedal can potentially damage it. It is also important to keep in mind that batteries die, which can be a problem during live performances.
It is important to make sure that the power brick has enough current to power the pedal. Additionally, if you are daisy-chaining pedals, make sure that they require the voltage that the outlet is set to, and that the sum of their current draw does not exceed that of the isolated power outlet.
