Power Supply recommendations? (Anything inexpensive and reliable?)
- Thread starter xefned
- Start date
eh là bas ma
Well-known member
I'm using the ENGL power tap, couldn't be happier. Only downside is that there is only one 500mA output, and i have a couple of circuits with real tubes now, so one more 500mA would have been nice, but it's a great power tap at a reasonable price with lots of outputs, including 9V, 18V and 12V.
www.thomann.de
Engl Power Tap
Multi Power Adapter for Effect Pedals 7x 9 V DC outputs 100 mA, 1x 9 V DC output 500 mA, 1x 12 V DC output 100 mA, 1x 18 V DC output 100 mA, Isolated outputs, filtered and short-circuit proof, Polarity: Negative pole inside, Switches: LED lighting...
www.thomann.de
eh là bas ma
Well-known member
I bought mine in 2020, never had any issues with it. I use it almost every days and unplugg it from the wall outlet once i am done playing music. Sometimes it stays plugged and powered on all day.
I always use every outputs for my endless pedal train, although i don't switch everything on at the same time.
xefned
Well-known member
That would be my first thought, except that the bottom of the ENGL says “Designed in Germany.”
xefned
Well-known member
I bought this $27 cheapie. [Hiree brand] I know I'll have to buy a proper quality one eventually.
The fact that it comes with 10 DC power cables makes it somewhat worthwhile even if it doesn't have a long lifespan. (Or it could be used for a secondary pedal board.)
The fact that it comes with 10 DC power cables makes it somewhat worthwhile even if it doesn't have a long lifespan. (Or it could be used for a secondary pedal board.)
Nostradoomus
Well-known member
mzy12
Active member
The unfortunate reality is that a lot of power supplies suck. And they have gotten a lot more expensive of the past couple of years, unreasonably so compared to inflation. Daisy chaining will sometimes work, until it doesn't.
My board is rather complex and requires a decent amount of mA, so i need a good, powerful power supply. About three years ago, i got the palmer PWT 12 mkii and it worked really well! Until i got to the variable voltage taps, then it made pedals with inverters squeal like hell. I'm overrall still very happy with it though, it just requires a consious effort to route things properly.
I recently purchases a half broken CS12 power supply because i needed more outputs hahah. I know the issue with it and am just waiting on an SMD diode from mouser to get it back to full health. I'm pretty sure every complaint online you see of a CS 12 with half of its outputs not working is the fault of one blown diode. It might be worth taking a look at them if you feel comfortable repairing SMD stuff. And are familiar enough with switching power supplies that you won't, like, die when you poke around them.
My board is rather complex and requires a decent amount of mA, so i need a good, powerful power supply. About three years ago, i got the palmer PWT 12 mkii and it worked really well! Until i got to the variable voltage taps, then it made pedals with inverters squeal like hell. I'm overrall still very happy with it though, it just requires a consious effort to route things properly.
I recently purchases a half broken CS12 power supply because i needed more outputs hahah. I know the issue with it and am just waiting on an SMD diode from mouser to get it back to full health. I'm pretty sure every complaint online you see of a CS 12 with half of its outputs not working is the fault of one blown diode. It might be worth taking a look at them if you feel comfortable repairing SMD stuff. And are familiar enough with switching power supplies that you won't, like, die when you poke around them.
I have a pretty straight forward rig but a Nova Delay at 12v (I think) and a Line6 MM4. Everything else is normal stuff. I've been using the Dunlop supply and it's done me really solid for years now and it's fairly small with an outboard wall wart (which is a pro or a con depending on your needs).
Fama
Well-known member
Wait, can you elaborate on that? Possibly in DM or https://forum.pedalpcb.com/threads/is-it-worth-trying-to-fix-a-power-supply.21487 so we don't derail this thread more. I've got a half broken CS12 around.I recently purchases a half broken CS12 power supply because i needed more outputs hahah. I know the issue with it and am just waiting on an SMD diode from mouser to get it back to full health. I'm pretty sure every complaint online you see of a CS 12 with half of its outputs not working is the fault of one blown diode. It might be worth taking a look at them if you feel comfortable repairing SMD stuff. And are familiar enough with switching power supplies that you won't, like, die when you poke around them.
I did buy a EBS Runsten to replace it already, but if I can fix it I can sell one of them off, possibly. The Runsten has been fine so far and has a ton of juice available. I have noticed my Clandestine Preamp is noisier than I remember, but it was just as noisy with a Boss power supply, so either it's unrelated to the Runsten, or having the Runsten plugged in causes the noise for other power supplies too (I noticed having a LED strip plugged in causes noise in pedals too, although LED lights might be noisy in general? Or I have "noisy electricity" which I'm 90% sure is the correct technical term). It's also very nice and small compared to the CS12 because it uses an external power supply.
mzy12
Active member
Yeah no bother mate! If it's a similar problem to mine, it'll be an easy fix (fingers crossed). I'll put the details on that thread when i get home. I think the reason you don't see any documented fixes for it online is that Truetone seems to be good for warranty reapairs.
jwyles90
Well-known member
Honestly yes. Maybe it doesn't have to be one of those brands specifically, but I think with power supplies it really is worth it to buy something that is a higher quality and to not try to cut corners budget wise. I use CIOKS to power all my stuff and have never had any issues (both with the supplies themselves or with having enough power to run whatever I want to throw at them). It's definitely more of an investment upfront, but I don't think I'll ever have to worry about a power supply again.
KR Sound
Well-known member
Exactly. Especially after investing thousands of dollars in pedals or parts, why cheap out on the PS that they all plug in to?
Locrian99
Well-known member
I have one of those. I have no issues. That polarity awitching cord has came in handy as well.
I look at power supplies as the cheapest you can get doe tour needs. I play at home in my music room. My power is fine, so i can go cheap. If i played out and was playing bars built a century ago that originally had knob and tube. Id probably splurge.