Powering multiple effects in one enclosure

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soldersqueeze
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Powering multiple effects in one enclosure

Post by soldersqueeze »

OK, I'm already regretting posting this because I know the answer is already floating around somewhere, but I just can't find it.

I'm going to build 4 effects into one unit, all of which are centre-negative 9v pedals. I want to power all four from one boss-style barrel jack power input. If I just connect the +9v of each pcb to this jack, is something going to melt and/or explode? The current draw of the pedals won't exceed the adaptor output, and with all PCBs sharing a ground anyway I'm not sure how this differs from using a daisy chain to power four individual effects. I remember seeing a layout which took each unit's power feed through a resistor / cap / diode arrangement but I can't find it now and don't really understand the theory behind this anyway :?:

Any advice very much appreciated.
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greyscales
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Re: Powering multiple effects in one enclosure

Post by greyscales »

It'll be fine. If you want to make wiring the DC jack a little easier, use a small piece of veroboard/stripboard to make all of your 9v and ground connections. Then you won't be trying to thread four (or more) wires into the jack.
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McSpunckle
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Re: Powering multiple effects in one enclosure

Post by McSpunckle »

soldersqueeze wrote:OK, I'm already regretting posting this because I know the answer is already floating around somewhere, but I just can't find it.

I'm going to build 4 effects into one unit, all of which are centre-negative 9v pedals. I want to power all four from one boss-style barrel jack power input. If I just connect the +9v of each pcb to this jack, is something going to melt and/or explode? The current draw of the pedals won't exceed the adaptor output, and with all PCBs sharing a ground anyway I'm not sure how this differs from using a daisy chain to power four individual effects. I remember seeing a layout which took each unit's power feed through a resistor / cap / diode arrangement but I can't find it now and don't really understand the theory behind this anyway :?:

Any advice very much appreciated.


It's exactly the same as using a daisy chain. It's totally fine.

The extra parts were probably just standard noise reduction and protection parts just repeated on each circuit as if they were individual pedals. You could do that, but it almost certainly wouldn't do anything.

If the pedal draws a lot of power with all the circuits on, you COULD exceed the current rating of the jack, but that's pretty unlikely.
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Re: Powering multiple effects in one enclosure

Post by soldersqueeze »

Many thanks, that's the first of what I'm sure will be numerous problems sorted :)
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