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Post new topic Power adapter 500mA vs 830mA
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Author Topic:  Power adapter 500mA vs 830mA
Ollin Landers


From:
Willow Springs, NC
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 6:27 am    
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I ordered a power adapter for my Zoom MS 50G. The one I received was the correct 9V 500mA adapter (cheap). It doesn't work. I tested a 9v 830mA adapter I have and it works so it's the adapter and not the unit.

Is the difference in mA going to do anything bad to the Pedal?
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.

I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields
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Mike Wheeler


From:
Delaware, Ohio, USA
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 6:37 am    
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No, you're fine. The pedal will only draw the current (ma's) it needs.
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Best regards,
Mike
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 7:24 am    
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What Mike said. You can almost think of electricity being like hydraulic systems (I can picture Tim and Brad screaming "oversimplification!!").
Voltage is like pressure and current is flow.
Your power supply needs to have the right voltage: too low and it won't work right, too high and you can fry things.
But your pump can be rated for 1000 GPM, but if you only run a garden hose, it'll only pump what the hose can use.
But DON'T get one rated for less than your box needs, it'll starve.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects
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Keith Hilton

 

From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:23 am    
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Make sure the plug tip is the correct polarity--PLUS or MINUS.
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Ollin Landers


From:
Willow Springs, NC
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:28 am    
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I tried the 9V 830mA and it appears to work just fine.

If the polarity is wrong it will not work but not cause a problem correct?
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.

I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields
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Keith Hilton

 

From:
248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:33 am    
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If the polarity is wrong the unit will not work. Plugging in the wrong polarity could ruin something--if the manufacturer has not protected against that mistake. When I design something I always take into account: That people may be plugging in the power in the dark. People may be in a hurry. People may be drinking or doping. People might might not realize they could cause damage.
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:34 am    
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Wrong polarity definitely can fry the unit. Take care.
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:35 am    
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If you've already tried it and it does work, I think it is safe to say that you are ok.
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Ollin Landers


From:
Willow Springs, NC
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:36 am    
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How can I check polarity without a meter? nothing on the PS indicates the tip polarity.
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.

I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields
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Ollin Landers


From:
Willow Springs, NC
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 8:40 am    
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Mike, Lane, Keith, Jon,

Thank you.

It works so I'm going to assume (scary I know) that the PS will work with this unit and not cause any issues.
_________________
Zum SD-12 Black, Zum SD-12 Burly Elm Several B-Bender Tele's and a lot of other gear I can't play.

I spent half my money on gambling, alcohol and wild women. The other half I wasted. W.C. Fields
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Jon Light


From:
Saugerties, NY
Post  Posted 17 Jan 2014 9:02 am    
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Rare to find nothing at all to indicate polarity.
This is the common graphic for tip negative:


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Willie Sims

 

From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2014 9:15 am    
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If polarity is your only problem, cut the wires. A couple of inches from the plug and reverse the wires. Just be sure you have the right milliamps. I have done it many times, it always works.
Willie Sims
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Paul Arntson


From:
Washington, USA
Post  Posted 18 Jan 2014 1:56 pm    
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Ollin, check this page out. Two wires in a potato looks good. I have not tried any of these....
http://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/42374/ways-to-determine-polarity-dc-without-a-meter
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Willie Sims

 

From:
PADUCAH, KY, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jan 2014 11:06 am    
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Go to Horbor freight tool store and purchase a cheap multimeter. They even give them away Sometimes, I have several of them. They are really cheap and work as good as my expensive meters. They also will check any 9 V and 1/ 1/2v batteries.
It might keep you from burning up your adapter.
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Walter Bowden


From:
Wilmington, North Carolina, USA
Post  Posted 19 Jan 2014 4:08 pm    
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I agree with Willie. A cheap meter will also help you check instrument cables, loudpeakers, and confirm polarity on them too.
_________________
Emmons S10, p/p, Nashville 112, Zion 50 tele style guitar, Gibson LP Classic w/Vox AC30, Fender Deluxe De Ville and a Rawdon-Hall classical
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