Leaving Pedals plugged in?

[Dominik Gräber]

I have two pedals that work with a power supply. Now I wonder, is there any bad side effect to have them always plugged in? Because it is always pretty tedious to unplug it all and then plug it in as soon as you want to play again. I rather ask before I risk breaking a 300 bucks pedal long term

Also, on battery powered pedals it says unplugging the guitar cables when not in use will make the battery last longer. How does that work if the amp is not on?

 

[idssdi]

Basically if you have a lower supply you leave it plugged in all the time. If you power it by batteries you will use the battery when it's plugged in and therefore it drains the battery

 

[Dominik Gräber]

W

Basically if you have a lower supply you leave it plugged in all the time. If you power it by batteries you will use the battery when it's plugged in and therefore it drains the battery

What's a lower supply?
What I don't get is why it drains the battery when the guitar cables are plugged in but there's no power coming from the amp.

 

[idssdi]

W

What's a lower supply?
What I don't get is why it drains the battery when the guitar cables are plugged in but there's no power coming from the amp.

Excuse me for the typo it should be power, it the same as it would be with an active pickup

 

[Adin Shepherd]

From my understanding the input acts like a power on/off for the battery, so leaving a cable plugged into the pedal input is no different to leaving any battery powered device switched on. Output is fine, no need to unplug that.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Excuse me for the typo it should be power, it the same as it would be with an active pickup

Well I would not know why that is with an active pickup either

 

[Dominik Gräber]

From my understanding the input acts like a power on/off for the battery, so leaving a cable plugged into the pedal input is no different to leaving any battery powered device switched on. Output is fine, no need to unplug that.

Oh right! I think I even read this somewhere. Totally forgot, thanks!

 

[Filip Tomiša]

just unplug the power supply and if any of your pedals have batteries then you have to unplug them as well so that the battery doesn't drain. Same thing with a guitar with active pickups. Always unplug it even if the amp is not on

 

[Dominik Gräber]

just unplug the power supply and if any of your pedals have batteries then you have to unplug them as well so that the battery doesn't drain. Same thing with a guitar with active pickups. Always unplug it even if the amp is not on

Well that is my question, should I really unplug the power supply of all my not battery powered pedals - and why?

 

[Filip Tomiša]

Well that is my question, should I really unplug the power supply of all my not battery powered pedals - and why?

I always unplug mine, I have two power supplies and I never leave them plugged in when I'm not using them

 

[Dominik Gräber]

I always unplug mine, I have two power supplies and I never leave them plugged in when I'm not using them

I'm way too lazy for that. After a while I end up either not using them or having them plugged in all the time. Thus this thread.

 

[Filip Tomiša]

I'm way too lazy for that. After a while I end up either not using them or having them plugged in all the time. Thus this thread.

Then just turn off the power strip. I think that should work.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Then just turn off the power strip. I think that should work.

Actually not a bad idea.
I have to reorder some things but I'll try it out.

 

[Ed Seith]

I have two pedals that work with a power supply. Now I wonder, is there any bad side effect to have them always plugged in? Because it is always pretty tedious to unplug it all and then plug it in as soon as you want to play again. I rather ask before I risk breaking a 300 bucks pedal long term

Also, on battery powered pedals it says unplugging the guitar cables when not in use will make the battery last longer. How does that work if the amp is not on?

Leaving them connected while plugged in is fine.

Why do you unplug when on battery power?

Basically, a pedal uses the same technology as active pickups, and the jack is the "power." If there's a 1/4" plug plugged into the input jack, the unit is "ON," and will draw power. If you're on battery, this will DRAIN battery. If you're plugged in, it's not enough to really worry about.

 

[Dominik Gräber]

Leaving them connected while plugged in is fine.

Why do you unplug when on battery power?

Basically, a pedal uses the same technology as active pickups, and the jack is the "power." If there's a 1/4" plug plugged into the input jack, the unit is "ON," and will draw power. If you're on battery, this will DRAIN battery. If you're plugged in, it's not enough to really worry about.

Got it, thanks Ed!

 

[Calvin Phillips]

It's all about electrical circuits. When plugged in the circuits is in full motion.same with guitars. I still turn the power bar off it's a waste of electricity to leave it on.