Running pedals on higher voltages?

[Nightburst]

I was reading some stuff on the fulltone website and found an article about being able to run some of their pedals on 18V.

Running the OCD, Fulldrive2, Bassdrive and FatBoost on 18 volts DC!

Won't that hurt them?

No, not at all, just make sure that the polarity is correct...meaning that the center pin gets the Negative (-) just like the 9volt adapter you'd use with it.

What will it sound like?

Quite different actually....the FD2 gets much more dynamic, a little brighter and a lot less compressed, more articulate, more amp-like, with more of the strings coming through....very nice!. The "Comp-Cut" mode gets a serious increase in headroom without distorting. Using 18volts DC, The FatBoost gets tons more Clean headroom, doesn't distort at all, and can get upwards of 30db of crystal clear gain. The Bassdrive just MUCH better for Bass guitar with the extra headroom and clarity.

WARNING !

Do NOT try this on any other pedals by any other manufacturers without first determining whether they have components with high enough tolerances or the result may be fire and/or serious injury to you and perhaps your pedal. The FD2, Bassdrive, and Fat Boost are over-engineered to withstand the higher Voltage.

Soooo after reading that I looked at my TS-9 and SD-1 and started thinking... What if I'd run those in a higher voltage? I have an adapter that is switchable between voltages up to 12V.
Would certain components burn down? I thought that parts are always rated lower than they can take.
Before I start experimenting I'd like to know if ayone ever tried it? Good results, bad results?

 

[Liquid]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

Hmm well I know that when I use a power supply to test my electronics and sometimes the the voltage is lower then it should be and if its low enough it just wont work. I dont think it would hurt it but I wouldnt try it cause you just never know.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

bump

 

[ErikH]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

For any pedal, Boss or otherwise, ALL components need to be rated higher than the voltage you plan on using. Boss units should handle 12 but no more than that. Some of the capacitors in them are rated at 16v simply because they are cheaper to use than 35v or 50v caps. Open the pedal up first and check the voltage rating of them first. The opamp chips should be fine. I think the 4558 in them can handle 18-24, 24 being the max.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

The Fulltone pedals are all overbuilt with higher wattage components. If you try the same thing with mass produced pedals, you'll just fry them, especially if they have microchips.

I've thought of running a couple of my OD's a little hotter, but I don't for two reasons.......My higher voltage outlets are powering my Line 6 pedals, and I don't want to risk any damage to my OD pedals. They sound fine as it is.

 

[drew_half_empty]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

i'd love to run a ts9 at 18 volts

man, can you imagine the ammount of boost you'd get? if i remember right, the manual said they already give you like a 30db boost

 

[B2D]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

The Fulltone pedals are all overbuilt with higher wattage components. If you try the same thing with mass produced pedals, you'll just fry them, especially if they have microchips.

I've thought of running a couple of my OD's a little hotter, but I don't for two reasons.......My higher voltage outlets are powering my Line 6 pedals, and I don't want to risk any damage to my OD pedals. They sound fine as it is.

My OCD is actually designed to run on 9 or 18V. Fuller described the difference between 9 and 18 volts on that pedal as similar to the tonal and feel differences of a 50 and 100W Marshall head.

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

Mr. Spina? Your SD1 mod? :fingersx:

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

For any pedal, Boss or otherwise, ALL components need to be rated higher than the voltage you plan on using. Boss units should handle 12 but no more than that.

+1
the original boss power supplies were all rated at 12V, so there shouldn't be any problem running them at that level.

 

[Nightburst]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

Thanks guys, I'll check it out but it would suck to fry a perfectly good pedal. Anyone ever actually tried it for real?

 

[Brow]

Re: Running pedals on higher voltages?

As GuitarStv said above, older BOSS pedals were made to be powered by either a 9v battery or a 12v power supply. I wouldn't try it with other pedals though, you'll probably just fry them.