power jack wiring

[CyaNitrate]

So I just got a vintage DOD Phasor 490, and it sounds awesome, but I wanna update it.

First is a true bypass switch and LED, which is simple to do.

My question is with the power jack, which looks like a mini 1/4" jack, but bigger than a 1/8", which happens to be wired center positive.

Its a switching jack, with a battery clip. My question is, Can I omit the battery clip an use a standard Boss style jack, which i have on hand, wired as normal (positive barrel, center neg)? I believe yes, since power will still go where it needs to once it gets past the jack itself.

Thoughts?

[crochambeau]

Thoughts?

Center positive is handy with metal jacks that are installed directly into the enclosure (to prevent short circuit through signal ground), if your 2.1 mm barrel connector will be insulated electrically from the enclosure, there's no reason not to enter the 21st Century on it.

I have seen metal frame barrel jacks though, just make sure yours is plastic or you have a sleeve washer.

[CyaNitrate]

Excellent! And that totally makes sense. This was just the first I'd seen of its kind. The jacket is plastic, so I shouldn't have a problem.

[SoaringTortoise]

Wanting true bypass I can understand (especially with vintage DOD products) but I wouldn't add an LED or replace the power jack. Doing so will devalue the pedal. Why not just get a center negative barrel connector to center positive mini phone jack adapter cable like the ones supplied with the One Spot (and similar brand) daisy chains? This would allow you to power your pedal with almost any boss style power supply without modification.

[CyaNitrate]

Ordinarily I'd agree, but
A) I already drilled (oops)
B) this thing is beat cosmetically. Like, it still looks cool and charming and vintage, but some owner before me scrawled his name and address into the side of it with a dremmel,deeply, not just in the paint, and there are three random holes in the bottom cover of the enclosure(that I originally was going to use for a battery snap adapter ...soooo, I figure I'll just make it more user friendly.

[SoaringTortoise]

I that case I will say go ahead and modify to your hearts content. Good luck and have fun.

[CyaNitrate]

So I got it all wired up today. New jacks, boss power jack, true bypass, LED, and new wired to the board, cause one broke(old brittle single strand 18-ish ga).

It..is..glorious.