Battery Life

[tommym1]

I just bought a new amp and am in need of some distortion. I don't really use effects & rely on tube distortion. I broke out my 1980's MXR (unused for about 20+ years), and purchased a used Ibanez tube screamer(MIJ), & Boss Super Overdrive SD-1. All got new batteries. I left them for a week unused, but plugged in together. Tried them last night and the MXR batteries are fine but the other 2 were dead.
Is this common or are the new/used pedals bad???

[Hiker]

Since I've got an active bass, or three, everything generally gets unplugged at the end of every practice session. Amps, guitars, basses, and pedals with batteries inside...

[tommym1]

No amp or guitar connected. Just pedals connected together like in an unused pedalboard...

[CoachJM]

Tommy,

Most battery-powered pedals engage the battery when a cord is inserted into the input jack. This will drain the battery as long as the cord is in, even if no guitar is connected and the effect is not engaged.

I'm guessing the MXR is first in the chain?

JM

[Seasicksailor]

But he said that the guitar was not plugged in... that's a weird one. Could be faulty batteries?
I had forgotten about a pedal for two years with the 9V battery still in. I tried it last week and it's still working after a week's use! :-)

[refin]

Well,the guitar might not be plugged in.....but if the cable that comes FROM the guitar is plugged in to the first pedal,it will drain.

[Seasicksailor]

Originally Posted by refin

Well,the guitar might not be plugged in.....but if the cable that comes FROM the guitar is plugged in to the first pedal,it will drain.

Good point... I assumed that no guitar meant no cable.

This happened to me with my first pedal actually. I stepped on it assuming it will switch off, but it hadn't. I was quite puzzled the next day!

[CoachJM]

Seasick & Refin,

He said the GUITAR was not plugged in, but the pedal chain was still CONNECTED.

The guitar only connects to the FIRST pedal in the chain. If the guitar is not connected to pedal 1's "in, but pedal 1's "out" is connected to pedal 2's "in", and pedal 2's "out" is connected to pedal 3's "in", then pedal 2 and pedal 3 are going to drain their batteries, while pedal 1's battery will not be drained.

He said 2 pedals had dead batteries and one didn't. Hmmmmm....

JM

[Seasicksailor]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

Seasick & Refin,

He said the GUITAR was not plugged in, but the pedal chain was still CONNECTED.

The guitar only connects to the FIRST pedal in the chain. If the guitar is not connected to pedal 1's "in, but pedal 1's "out" is connected to pedal 2's "in", and pedal 2's "out" is connected to pedal 3's "in", then pedal 2 and pedal 3 are going to drain their batteries, while pedal 1's battery will not be drained.

He said 2 pedals had dead batteries and one didn't. Hmmmmm....

JM

That makes perfect sense... but it's just too simple. I want more mystery! :-P

[tommym1]

Thanks for the help! Only the pedals were connected to each other.
I didn't realize pedals draw voltage when plugged in and switched off.
Thinking about getting a Dunlop Brick power supply and just unplugging the MXR.