Question on Hilton Volume Pedal

Steve Schmidt · From: Ramsey, MN, USA

I have one of the Hilton Volume Pedals with the external 12 wall wart. As you can imagine, the wall wart connection is getting a bit frayed and soon will give out. I have access to some replacement transformers from old discarded computer gear but the polarity is backwards from what the Hilton uses. FWIW, the Hilton's wall wart has a negative tip. I have cut the wire and flipped it around and resoldered it and it works ok. My question is, I seem to remember that Keith designed this pedal so that it would accomodate either combination (positive or negative tip) but I may be wrong. I don't want to plug this in and try it and risk my pedal, thus the question.

Thanks much
Steve

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Steve, thanks for using my pedal. To answer your question, let me say,"it depends". If you have a power supply that is attached to the pedal, in other words hard wired, you need the following: The power supply is filtered and regulated. You need +12DC volts and - 12DC volts with a ground. Most modern chips run off of Dual Polarity. This means you must have a plus voltage and a minus voltage. My power supply has both a plus and minus voltage. If you use a single polarity power supply, you must create a virtual ground and create dual rails, meaning a plus rail and a minus rail. I would advise sending the pedal to me for repairs. Most of the time I only charge $12.00 return shipping. I really hate working on a smoked pedal where some guy has fooled around inside, assuming he knows a little about electronics. You would probably be better off letting me help you. Hope this information helps.

Steve Schmidt · From: Ramsey, MN, USA

Hi Keith
Thanks for the response. I have a seperate 12DC wall wart that just plugs in to a little jack on the back of the pedal. Like I say, I have taken a 12DC external transformer and cut the wire in the middle and twisted it and resoldered it and it works fine. I was just curious if I even need to do this???

Thanks Keith

Steve

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Steve, you must have one of my older pedals. Those were built where you could plug in a unregulated, non filtered, transformer. Just about any transformer will work, but you do need at least 500mA current output. The pedal does not use that much current, but there is a DC to DC converter inside that draws over 200mA on start-up. Hope this information helps.

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Keith I have a quick question. I have one of your older pedals, and I've replaced the power supply with a generic one and it works great. Do your newer ones have a better sound? Are there other improvements other than the power supply?
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Steve Schmidt · From: Ramsey, MN, USA

Hi Keith,
Just so I am clear, I can use a transformer that has positive at the tip and it will work without damaging my pedal??

Steve

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Hey, Steve. I realize you want to hear from Keith, but FWIW, I bought a generic 12V power supply for mine from Ebay and it's definitely tip positive, works great.
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Steve Schmidt · From: Ramsey, MN, USA

Thank you Mike for the info. That's exactly what I was wanting to find out. You still playing alot? I am too. We should hook up after the holidays.

steve

Keith Hilton · From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721

Michael,to answer you questions: The sound part of my circuit has never changed in 12 years. The only thing that has changed is the power supply. A different power supply does not change the sound. So, the quality of the sound of an old pedal will be the same as a new pedal---if the old pedal is still working correctly. I can't think of any major improvements over the last 12 years. In 2007 we started making the pedals cut out with lasiers and forming machinery, instead of sand casting. In 2007 we made the clutch spring adjustable, because the new metal housing was a slight bit lighter. New right now is a world wide power supply. It will work anywhere in the world, and will plug in directly to the wall plug configuration anywhere in the world. People overseas no longer have to use a transformer and plug adapter. The new power supply will operate from 100 volts AC to 240 volts AC, and 47 to 63 hertz. The new power supply plugs into the pedal, so the power supply can be removed. I personally liked the old power supply that was hard wired. I liked it because it was bullet proof and caused ZERO trouble. People have longed for a plug in power supply for years and now they are going to get it. Problem is, people have not idea how many problems are associated with something that plugs in. How about crushing the plug tip with your pack a seat legs--and a thousand other things? People have all kinds of problems with anything that plugs in, in addition to leaving it at home, or plugging in the wrong thing and smoking the electronics. I have not raised prices in 12 years even though every part that goes into making the pedals has increased, sometimes many times over. Expect a slight price increase in Janurary 2008 ,so you might need to buy one now, rather than later. Hope this information helps.

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

Thanks a lot Keith. It's good to hear I don't have to upgrade Smile

I don't know how the tone could improve anyway. I put a new pot in my Goodrich awhile back (I use it for rehearsals and playing at home) and thought I'd use it on a gig, just for a taste of the good old days. Lasted one set. Also, I have 4 other devices: Shure in-ears, Pod, Lexicon MPX 100, Shure wireless that all use the same 12V tip-positive power supply, so I've always got a couple extras with me. Steve: I've PM-ed you about my playing schedule and such. Yes, we should get together.
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Michael Haselman · From: St. Paul

One more tip on the wall warts. They all go eventually if your gigging, so what I did was cut off a length of the original so I know I have the right size plug and just spliced it on to the new one. You can get these very cheap. Just make sure you check polarity with a meter before you splice, and use a little piece of shrink tube. Also gives you extra length. Then when that one goes, just repeat!
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Mullen RP D10, Peavey NV112, Hilton volume. Hound Dog reso. Piles of other stuff.

Tim Walker · From: Marin County, CA (originally U.K)

Sorry to hijack this post but does anyone know if it is possible to use a Hilton with a Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 ?
Thanks, Tim

Willis Vanderberg · From: Petoskey Mi

If you can do without your pedal for a couple of weeks, send it to Keith , you will have it back and working properly. I had the old style wall wart model and he made it as good as the new ones.

Don Sulesky · From: Citrus County, FL, Orig. from MA & NH

I had the wall wart cord coming out of my pedal start to tear.
I sent it to Keith and it was replaced and back under my steel in a VERY short time. You can't ask for any better service than that from a dealer.
Don

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