Powering options

[Coma]

Are there any benefits to using a power brick with non-isolated connectors over using a standard single connector DC adapter and then daisy chaining your pedals, besides overloading?

From what I've understood, the main reason for using a power brick such as a Fuel Tank is that the isolated connectors eliminate the risk of ground loops. But if the brick doesn't use isolated connectors (Gator Power bus and similar), and you're not exceeding say 200 mA, is there any reason for owning one?

 

[SlyFoxx]

Re: Powering options

Either can work...as long as you have enough juice. But I've had two Boss delays destroyed while using a "One Spot" power supply. Don't know why and no other pedals were injured in the process but I will NEVER use a daisy chain "One Spot" type deal ever again. And I used a one spot on a six pedal board for more than six years w/o incident..but two fried pedals ....'nuff said.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Powering options

digital effects use more current than analog (distortions)
reverbs and chorus effects need half an amp or more to work
lower than that causes the temp inside to increase, damaging the devices

if using a brick, it has two or three high amp outputs
use these for digital effects
distortions, flangers, phasers, etc
can use the .2 amp that most outputs are

if you run out of high output ports on the brick
you'll need another wall wart

 

[Mincer]

Re: Powering options

The Godlyke Power-All seems to be able to handle some of the bigger Line6 digital effects with a few analog pedals without melting and causing noise. I tend to like it over the OneSpot. I wouldn't invest in a brick without some isolation (and a lot more than 200 mA). I can't imagine those lower-cost bricks having ANY advantage over a PowerAll.

 

[DeadandBuried]

Re: Powering options

As mentioned above as long as you have enough power to run to the pedals it should be fine, check the mA draw for each pedal. I myself don't use a lot of pedals but I have the T-Rex Fuel Tank Junior which has 5 isolated outputs. I use a TU-2 tuner, an ISP decimator and a tubescreamer. No hum, groundloops or issues, for about 6 years now. Of couse if I used more pedals like choruses/delays etc I'd probably get the full size Fuel Tank.

I used to own the Diago Micropower which was decent but very brittle in terms of build and quality. It got tot he stage where the pedals would cut out as the connector by the mains adaptor was fraying due to wear, however this hasn't got much to do with the power draw.