How to Build Your Own Guitar Pedal Power Supply
Typical guitar pedals, such as those made by Boss, have a 9-volt power supply. Some larger pedals require a 12-volt power supply. Guitar pedals typically accept external IEC power supplies and batteries. Using batteries is fine for home use, but a dead battery during a live performance can cause big problems. Using a power supply that draws current from the wall to power all units mitigates the risk of power shortage during performance. It's a safer and more professional approach. If you have a pedal board, mount your power supply alongside your pedals to make setup quicker.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Blank turret board
- 9-volt - 12-volt power transformer
- Voltage regulators
- IEC power supply socket
- Power output jacks
- Heat sink
- Boss TU-3 pedal (optional)
- Daisy-chain power adapter cable
- Soldering iron
- Solder
- Phillips screwdriver
Instructions
-
-
1
Acquire the parts. You can purchase a self-assembly kit, which include all compatible parts, or individual parts, which offer a greater scope for customization.
-
2
Assemble the turret board, which is where the power supply circuit is located. The voltage regulators, resistors, heat sink and output jacks are located on the board. Push each component into the correct turret so that the connector legs poke through the base of the board. Once you've filled the board, gently place it face down, and solder the connector legs to the metal strip that runs along the base.
-
-
3
Install the IEC power supply unit. Screw the unit into the pre-drilled holes on the chassis. Solder the red wire to the positive eyelet on the circuit board and the black wire to the negative eyelet on the turret board.
-
4
Install the power transformer, which adds voltage to the alternating current so that it can effectively power an external device, such as a speaker or a pedal. Solder the primary winding into the turret board.
-
5
Fit the power outputs, which are the connectors that power each pedal unit. Solder them to the turret board. They are located directly after the power transformer. The amount of power outputs you need depends on the amount and configuration of your pedals. It is possible to use one output to power many pedals by using a daisy-chain configuration. Effects units, such as the Boss TU-3, can power a collection of 9-volt pedals. To only power the TU-3, connect the daisy-chain cable to the power output on the pedal, and connect it to the rest of the pedals in sequence.
-
6
Enclose the chassis. Screw down the chassis lid to enclose the board-mounted components.
-
7
Attach a plug to the IEC adapter socket. Connect the power output to the first pedal in the chain.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Use a soldering iron to melt away any solder drip from the board.
Only solder in a well-ventilated area.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
