Adding onboard 9v DC power to an amp: it's crazy talk, right?

[CoolBlueGlow]

Very interesting thread - Once again Peegoo has hit on a neat topic.

I would add one small comment - that the devil in the detail can be the ground loop issue, at least from a mfg's. perspective.

I have some experience with this issues as I have built in AC to DC power in Turtle, (Turtle is my main rig, which some of you have seen me post here on the forum). So Turtle has regulated 6V, 9V and 12V DC supplies - yes three of them, as I have multiple DC sources powering various things like relays, lamps and fans. But when I built Turtle I noticed in my somewhat complex perma-rig build that the devil was in the details with regard to avoiding ground loops and PSU hum on the audio side of things when using DC derived from an AC source.

Once it leaves the guitar, my audio signal stays inside Turtle's shell, but my control systems come out to switches and indicators and MIDI stuff and voltage control pedals (no audio - just control) via an 8 pin cable and a MIDI cable. In addition I have FOUR separate tube amps in this rig, a digital/analog audio interface, wireless receiver, and a computer with a switched mode power supply. So, lots of opportunity for ground loop issues.

So, in spite of the easy availability of DC converted from an AC suppiy in Turtle, I still went with rechargeable and swappable lithium ion batteries for my audio side pedals and pedalboard controls. It was just easier and more certain than trying to solve every ground loop interaction.

REASONS:

a.) I like how big lithium ion batteries sound, or rather DON'T sound. They are dead quiet. No ground loop ever.
b.) They have tons of current available and at a real steady voltage, 11.8 - 12.2v typically. One Li-ion battery will run my whole board for four hours straight, even with every pedal turned on and powering the lamp in my LDR volume pedal.
c.) They enjoy fast recharge via a robust fast charger. 20 minutes typical for a full charge.
d.) They are inexpensive - around $15 each for a China-sourced knock-off.
e.) There is virtually endless DC power availability via quick swap battery slots, just like a power tool (literally).
f.) I use Bosch 411 batteries, from Bosch's line of small handheld power tools. 2-3AH, small, inexpensive, easily available.


Works real good for me.

 

[Dostradamas]

Very interesting thread - Once again Peegoo has hit on a neat topic.

I would add one small comment - that the devil in the detail can be the ground loop issue, at least from a mfg's. perspective.

I have some experience with this issues as I have built in AC to DC power in Turtle, (Turtle is my main rig, which some of you have seen me post here on the forum). So Turtle has regulated 6V, 9V and 12V DC supplies - yes three of them, as I have multiple DC sources powering various things like relays, lamps and fans. But when I built Turtle I noticed in my somewhat complex perma-rig build that the devil was in the details with regard to avoiding ground loops and PSU hum on the audio side of things when using DC derived from an AC source.

Once it leaves the guitar, my audio signal stays inside Turtle's shell, but my control systems come out to switches and indicators and MIDI stuff and voltage control pedals (no audio - just control) via an 8 pin cable and a MIDI cable. In addition I have FOUR separate tube amps in this rig, a digital/analog audio interface, wireless receiver, and a computer with a switched mode power supply. So, lots of opportunity for ground loop issues.

So, in spite of the easy availability of DC converted from an AC suppiy in Turtle, I still went with rechargeable and swappable lithium ion batteries for my audio side pedals and pedalboard controls. It was just easier and more certain than trying to solve every ground loop interaction.

REASONS:

a.) I like how big lithium ion batteries sound, or rather DON'T sound. They are dead quiet. No ground loop ever.
b.) They have tons of current available and at a real steady voltage, 11.8 - 12.2v typically. One Li-ion battery will run my whole board for four hours straight, even with every pedal turned on and powering the lamp in my LDR volume pedal.
c.) They enjoy fast recharge via a robust fast charger. 20 minutes typical for a full charge.
d.) They are inexpensive - around $15 each for a China-sourced knock-off.
e.) There is virtually endless DC power availability via quick swap battery slots, just like a power tool (literally).
f.) I use Bosch 411 batteries, from Bosch's line of small handheld power tools. 2-3AH, small, inexpensive, easily available.


Works real good for me.

This Turtle sounds very interesting, any pics or threads?

 

[timbgtr]

By a miracle probably, I lived to tell this tale. Many years ago, I had a Music Man amp that I didn’t like the sound of. I also had a 6 band MXR equalizer. Thinking it’d be good to have it in there permanently, I got the schematic and found a place where the voltage was close to 9V. I pulled the chassis, somehow found that node and spliced in a connection to the battery terminal in the MXR. I connected the inside of the amp input jack to the MXR’s input, and the MXR’s output back to where that input Jack connected to the rest of the amp. I velcroed the MXR to the inside of the amp. Unbelievably, it worked.

 

[CoolBlueGlow]

This Turtle sounds very interesting, any pics or threads?

Yeah, there is a thread about it somewhere on the Forum. I didn't repost too much because everybody was tired of hearing me try to explain it. harhar.

Here's a pic with some highlight captions. Shows most of it. This is a slightly earlier iteration but the bones are the same. You get the idea. Quick roll up in a fixed installation. Sets up fast. Don't have to move from room to room...just from storage to stage. I have moved it from gig to gig a few times, before I got disabled by COVid.

 

[telemnemonics]

Makes even more sense if a pedal or two in the loop stays on.
Seems like Bogner has this in some models?
May be delusional…