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Post by andy on Sept 19, 2008 9:46:58 GMT -5
This was almost posted in the Effects Units topic, but I guess this is better here-
I have been looking for a cable to run from a Boss-type barrel plug on my 5-pedal power supply to a mini-jack to plug in a Rat or Electro Harmonix pedal. Unless anyone can point me to somewhere in the UK which definitely sells them, has anyone had any luck in making one of these? Is it just a case of wiring the two sides to the appropriate sides at the other end, or is there some reason why this might not work? It does seem a little odd that on countless websites and catalogues (yes, with a 'U' !) such a simple connector is not present.
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Post by newey on Sept 19, 2008 12:39:21 GMT -5
Andy-
Well, your post is about wiring so I'll leave it be. The "effects" board says it's supposed to be about discussion of pedals, but wiring and modifications thereto seem to comprise most of the posts there. So probably appropriate either place.
So, is what you need a female -to-male patch cord, or male-to-male? Wasn't clear to me which way this went.
I've never seen such a thing but it should be easy enough to make one out two pieces of cable, each with one of the needed jacks or plugs on it. Just splice the two together, making sure that + and - are matched correctly, and also first verifying that your power supply is going to be delivering the requisite voltage to your non-Boss pedal, whatever it turns out to be.
Be aware that some of the barrel jack-type plugs are wired with + to the sleeve instead of to the tip. Usually there is a little graphic to show you which way it goes. Since this is DC, it definitely does matter!
Alternatively, you can just go to the battery clip on the non-Boss pedal, as has been discussed on the effects forum.
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Post by ashcatlt on Sept 19, 2008 13:18:02 GMT -5
Most pedal power-supply boxes come with an assortment of these cables. Know anybody who's got a spare?
Now, when you say miniplug, you're wanting to plug into an 1/8" phone jack? It really is about as easy as wiring a guitar cable. Can't help you with suppliers, but the connectors are easy to find over here. Maybe you've got some cables or old walwarts you can "re-purpose" for this. Make sure your 1/8" is a "mono" TS plug, TRS may not work properly. Most of these things use shielded cable, with the - on the shield. With DC and proper filtering in the pedal it's not necessary, but not a bad idea either.
As newey said, it is essential that you don't mix up the polarity. Unless it's just too early for my brain, I believe that Boss usually has the + on sleeve. Don't ask me why. It should be marked on the power supply. If not, look at one of your boss pedals to make sure. I'm pretty sure the tip of the TS end will want to be +. This can be verified by taking apart the Rat and looking to see how the battery clip connects to this jack.
Most pedals have a diode wired backwards across the DC in jack. It only conducts if you connect the wrong polarity. Theoretically, this shorts the power-supply at a point where it can't cause damage to the ICs inside. It also generally makes the diode explode, leaving a huge mess of diode guts all over the interior of the pedal, and sometimes causing damage to the traces on the board in that area. Not sure what a short at the output would do to your power-supply, but I'd try to avoid it.
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Post by andy on Sept 19, 2008 19:43:01 GMT -5
Thanks guys.
Newey, it would be a male to male cable, as the outputs on the power supply are similar to the inputs on a boss pedal, and the Rat accepts the jack 'female fashion'.
It sounds like I'll have to do my homework on this one, as I don't fancy frying an otherwise fine pedal, but so long as it is possible, thats the main thing. And I guess I'll just keep an eye out for any knocking about- I'm still quite surprised that I haven't come across any. Perhaps I should have a word with ProCo or Electro Harmonix who still insist on using those mini jacks!
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