Pedal Power Supply Question

[Jaji]

Please forgive this question, as it's likely one of those "wtf are you stupid?" kinds of things. Every power supply I've used on my pedal boards has multiple outputs for mA. Pretty much all my pedals need only 100 mA. If I use a 500 mA tap, does that overload the pedal? Or will the pedal only consume the mA it needs? I am bright enough to not use higher voltage, but the amperage question has me wondering if I am running the risk of damaging pedals.

 

[Boudoir Guitar]

Please forgive this question, as it's likely one of those "wtf are you stupid?" kinds of things. Every power supply I've used on my pedal boards has multiple outputs for mA. Pretty much all my pedals need only 100 mA. If I use a 500 mA tap, does that overload the pedal? Or will the pedal only consume the mA it needs? I am bright enough to not use higher voltage, but the amperage question has me wondering if I am running the risk of damaging pedals.

It’s just a ceiling of how much current it CAN supply. As long as the pedal’s current demand does not exceed that, the power supply will just deliver current demanded by pedal. You are correct on not crossing voltage streams…that’s another ball of wax.

 

[Orvillain]

Pedal will try to draw what it needs. You won't blow anything by plugging in a 100ma pedal into a 500ma output.

Bear in mind that digital pedals really do require an isolated output these days. Don't share them with anything else on the same output, you'll just get crappy clocking noises and extra noise.

I can really recommend the Cioks or Strymon power supplies, but there are cheaper isolated solutions too.

 

[newpedals]

Please forgive this question, as it's likely one of those "wtf are you stupid?" kinds of things. Every power supply I've used on my pedal boards has multiple outputs for mA. Pretty much all my pedals need only 100 mA. If I use a 500 mA tap, does that overload the pedal? Or will the pedal only consume the mA it needs? I am bright enough to not use higher voltage, but the amperage question has me wondering if I am running the risk of damaging pedals.

I was educated about this after I almost fried a friend's pedal which was supposed to be supplied only 9v but I had plugged a 18v power supply into it. I hadn't switched it on yet, which is why the pedal survived.

Pedals run on DC kind of voltage (which is why they can run on batteries). Even if they are supplied with 1000 mA, they only draw enough current essential to run them (provided the voltage is correct).

Your pedal will not malfunction in the scenario you have stated above. Never provide more voltage to them though.

Also be careful about polarity. Most pedals run on center negative power supplies, but some old pedals (specially vintage ones) run on center positive ones.

All of us were newbies/ beginners sometime earlier. It's all right to ask questions.

Best wishes.

 

[LeftyLoungeLizard]

https://voodoolab.com/product/pedal-power-4x4/

(18V operation and currents up to 800mA using optional doubler cables; reverse polarity cables also available)

https://voodoolab.com/cables/

 

[Jaji]

It’s just a ceiling of how much current it CAN supply. As long as the pedal’s current demand does not exceed that, the power supply will just deliver current demanded by pedal. You are correct on not crossing voltage streams…that’s another ball of wax.

That was what I thought, but I'm certainly no expert when it comes to that line of thought. Thank you SO much for the clarification!

 

[newpedals]

https://voodoolab.com/product/pedal-power-4x4/

(18V operation and currents up to 800mA using optional doubler cables; reverse polarity cables also available)

https://voodoolab.com/cables/

I haven't had any problems with my daisy chain. I only have a tuner and 2 overdrive pedals anyay. If I decide to buy more pedals, I will surely think of something like this. Thank you.

 

[Zodiac]

I've powered my board with a Palmer PWT12 Mk2 for the last 6 years, worked perfectly, no noise issues either.
12 isolated outputs... 8 x 300 mA 4 x 500 mA.
The four 500 mA outlets also have various voltage options from 6 to 18 v.
Reasonably priced also.