Pedals that can run 9, 12, 18 volts?

[megatrav]

Hello, this is a newbie question.
I have only built a couple pedals but I have owned many (as I am sure we all have). Some of the pedal I have owned like Fulltone, Barber, etc can be ran at 9, 12, and sometimes 18 volts. I always assumed this was for more headroom.
But I was wondering if this can be done to any pedal?
If so, what mods would need to be done?

Thanks in advance. I appreciate your patience with my ignorance.

 

[Robert]

No, not any pedal... but some are fine.

You have to know the maximum voltage rating of the semiconductors used (transistors, ICs, etc) and you have to size the electrolytic caps appropriately. If there is a charge pump (TC1044, ICL7660) involved you definitely shouldn't run it on more than 9V, with the exception of one upcoming project.

Some circuits just wont behave as expected running on higher voltage than they were designed for. Higher voltages will affect biasing, clipping thresholds, etc. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it results in less than inspiring results.

 

[Coda]

I can’t add to much regarding running all pedals at higher voltages, but I just hooked my Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret at 18v, and the difference is night and day. It’s like a completely different pedal...

 

[megatrav]

No, not any pedal... but some are fine.

You have to know the maximum voltage rating of the semiconductors used (transistors, ICs, etc) and you have to size the electrolytic caps appropriately. If there is a charge pump (TC1044, ICL7660) involved you definitely shouldn't run it on more than 9V, with the exception of one upcoming project.

Some circuits just wont behave as expected running on higher voltage than they were designed for. Higher voltages will affect biasing, clipping thresholds, etc. Sometimes that's a good thing, sometimes it results in less than inspiring results.

Excited to see the new project. My experience with drive pedals has been less compression and slightly more output. Thanks for the response and information!

I can’t add to much regarding running all pedals at higher voltages, but I just hooked my Catalinbread Dirty Little Secret at 18v, and the difference is night and day. It’s like a completely different pedal...

I have heard that most Catalinbread pedals are that way. Makes them very versatile!

 

[megatrav]

Does anyone know how Pettyjohn steps up their internal voltages to 35 volts?
Also, is this related to the power itself or how clipping and compression happen?
Sorry if this is a dumb question or has been covered elsewhere.

 

[cooder]

Does anyone know how Pettyjohn steps up their internal voltages to 35 volts?
Also, is this related to the power itself or how clipping and compression happen?
Sorry if this is a dumb question or has been covered elsewhere.

Not that I know for sure how Pettyjohn does it exactly but it may be similar to the voltage step up in Duocast and TC integral preamp that you find schematics of here.