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Topic: Unplug that WallWart |
Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 17 Jan 2025 10:34 am |
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I just discovered something about wallwarts, quite by accident.
The wallwart is plugged into the wall, and plugged into the device, an effects box in this case. The device is turned OFF, but the Wallwart is all plugged in.
The wallwart heats up, just slightly mind you, but enough to tell the wall wart itself is ON, even though the device itself is turned off.
It seems as tough if its plugged in it is ON. Even when everything is turned OFF.
This explains to me at least why these confounded warts are always crapping out. Making noise and such. They just wear out if plugged in all the time.
The lesson would be of course, unplug those warts when not in use! 
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 17 Jan 2025 10:39 am
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Yessir. I have my music gear warts plugged into a switched power strip and switch it off when not in use.
Other household items and things like computers may have wall warts that must nearly constantly have power though. |
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Larry Dering
From:
Missouri, USA
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Posted 18 Jan 2025 4:29 pm
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| I use power strips on anything that needs a wallwart so I can turn it off. They continue to draw a modest amount of current and present a fire hazard if left plugged in. |
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John Larson
From:
Pennsyltucky, USA
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Posted 19 Jan 2025 10:29 am Re: Unplug that WallWart
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| Bud Angelotti wrote: |
I just discovered something about wallwarts, quite by accident.
The wallwart is plugged into the wall, and plugged into the device, an effects box in this case. The device is turned OFF, but the Wallwart is all plugged in.
The wallwart heats up, just slightly mind you, but enough to tell the wall wart itself is ON, even though the device itself is turned off.
It seems as tough if its plugged in it is ON. Even when everything is turned OFF.
This explains to me at least why these confounded warts are always crapping out. Making noise and such. They just wear out if plugged in all the time.
The lesson would be of course, unplug those warts when not in use! |
I use one of these and I plug the amp into the switching outlet, when I turn the amp on it then turns on the other outlets powering the wall warts for my pedals. I have one for my pedal steel rig and one for my standard guitar rig.
https://www.greenliteusa.com/products/tier-1-advanced-power-strip-5-outlets-with-charging-ports/
If all your music stuff is in its own room on its own circuit you can always turn the breaker for the outlets off when not in use. I used to do this before finding these gadgets.
_________________
Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright. Give praise to the Lord with the harp, chant unto Him with the ten-stringed psaltery. Sing unto Him a new song, chant well unto Him with jubilation. For the word of the Lord is true, and all His works are in faithfulness. The Lord loveth mercy and judgement; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
- Psalm 33:1-5 |
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Bud Angelotti
From:
Larryville, NJ, USA
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Posted 21 Jan 2025 2:11 pm
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Thanks John - I can't seem to fiqure out where to get these things or how much$$.
_________________
Just 'cause I look stupid, don't mean I'm not. |
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Patrick Huey
From:
Nacogdoches, Texas, USA
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Posted 5 Feb 2025 8:16 am
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| Bud Angelotti wrote: |
| Thanks John - I can't seem to fiqure out where to get these things or how much$$. |
Bud,
I personally have my pedal boards, rack stuff, and amp heads in my home studio all plugged into a Furman power conditioner. I have my pedal boards on standard pedal power bricks and their wall warts all plugged into the Furman along with my amp heads and rack gear. When I am ready to play I just plug the Furman’s cord into the wall and turn it on. This also protects all of my gear in case I am not at home and there is a thunderstorm or power surge .
_________________
Pre RP Mullen D10 8/7, Zum 3/4, Carter S-10 3/4, previous Cougar SD-10 3/4 & GFI S-10 3/4, Fender Steel King, 2 Peavey Session 500's, Peavey Nashville 400, Boss DD-3, Profex-II, Hilton Digital Sustain, '88 Les Paul Custom,Epiphone MBIBG J-45, Fender Strat & Tele's, Takamine acoustics, Marshall amps, Boss effects, Ibanez Tube Screamer, and it all started with an old cranky worn out Kay acoustic you could slide a Mack truck between the strings and fretboard on!! |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 6 Feb 2025 7:38 pm
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Those "wall warts", especially the heavier ones (with transformers in them), can use a lot of electricity if left plugged in 24/7/365. A constant draw of only five watts amounts to using over forty-three thousand watts of electricity if left plugged in all year!
This is why, when rural areas were electrified over a century ago, the electric companies would often give the farmers a free, new-fangled, electric clock as a gift! Their story was they wanted the farmer to finally have an accurate clock that they didn't ever have to wind up. But of course, the real reason they did that was so the farmer would be constantly using some electricity.  |
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