Powering 9V TC effect pedals with 12V - harmful?

[JazzNote]

I recently bought a battery powered active speaker which also provides a 12V 500mA outlet.

Now I wonder if I could use this to power my TC pedals (9V 100mA) without risking damage to them. TC hasn’t answered my question, but maybe someone here has experience.

TIA

[Woody Sound]

They should be fine, maybe even better. But don't hold me to it if something bad happens.

[Luicaz72]

You’d still need a 12V to 9V regulated converter. Don’t plug 12V straight into pedals.

[pcjazz]

I plugged 12v into a Junior Barnyard when Tavo’s website indicated it would work (maybe the website still says that, I haven’t checked). In any event, it fried the pedal and Tavo was a bit shirty about repairing it, saying I should have only used 9v and that the website indication was for an earlier version of the pedal. So I recommend caution.

[JazzNote]

They should be fine, maybe even better. But don't hold me to it if something bad happens.

You’d still need a 12V to 9V regulated converter. Don’t plug 12V straight into pedals.

I plugged 12v into a Junior Barnyard when Tavo’s website indicated it would work (maybe the website still says that, I haven’t checked). In any event, it fried the pedal and Tavo was a bit shirty about repairing it, saying I should have only used 9v and that the website indication was for an earlier version of the pedal. So I recommend caution.

hmmm, one against two ....

so I guess I’d better hunt for a transistor and a couple of resistors:
reduce voltage from 12V to 9V

[rpjazzguitar]

hmmm, one against two ....

so I guess I’d better hunt for a transistor and a couple of resistors:
reduce voltage from 12V to 9V

I thought this could be done by wiring four simple silicon diodes in series. Each one drops voltage by about 0.7 volts.

Or am I remembering this incorrectly?

[JazzNote]

I thought this could be done by wiring four simple silicon diodes in series. Each one drops voltage by about 0.7 volts.

Or am I remembering this incorrectly?

Correct! What are the (dis-) advantages of either method?

[m_d]

Grok says no. I asked:

"Is it safe to power a 9V 100mA pedal with 12V 500mA ?"


Grok replied:


"No, it is generally not safe. Using a 12V 500mA power supply on a pedal rated for 9V 100mA risks damaging the pedal.


Why Voltage Matters More Than Current

Voltage is the critical factor here. The pedal's internal components (capacitors, op-amps, transistors, ICs, etc.) are designed for ~9V operation. Applying 12V exceeds their typical ratings and can cause:

- Overheating.
- Component failure (e.g., blown capacitors or fried chips).
- Immediate death of the pedal or gradual degradation.


Current (mA) is usually fine. A 500mA supply can safely power a 100mA pedal because the pedal only draws what it needs. The extra capacity provides headroom and is not a problem."

[JazzNote]

Grok says no. I asked:

"Is it safe to power a 9V 100mA pedal with 12V 500mA ?"


Grok replied:


"No, it is generally not safe. Using a 12V 500mA power supply on a pedal rated for 9V 100mA risks damaging the pedal.


Why Voltage Matters More Than Current

Voltage is the critical factor here. The pedal's internal components (capacitors, op-amps, transistors, ICs, etc.) are designed for ~9V operation. Applying 12V exceeds their typical ratings and can cause:

- Overheating.
- Component failure (e.g., blown capacitors or fried chips).
- Immediate death of the pedal or gradual degradation.


Current (mA) is usually fine. A 500mA supply can safely power a 100mA pedal because the pedal only draws what it needs. The extra capacity provides headroom and is not a problem."

Given the proven fact the AI sometimes feeds wrong information I wouldn’t rely too much on statements generated this way. Of course there is a risk of damaging the pedal, but I’d like to find out how high the risk ist.

Back in the days I had a TC parametric EQ which was designed to house a 9V battery but at some point on a gig I found out that it would slightly distort in certain peak-signal situations. The manual said that it was possible to power it with higher voltage so I powered it with 15V which worked fine. But at that time TC was a small company, not as commercially oriented as nowadays.

[Jabberwocky]

https://www.amazon.com/12-24V-9V-3A-...4&sr=8-15&th=1

[mr. beaumont]

Well, it's three more, innit?

[m_d]

Given the proven fact the AI sometimes feeds wrong information I wouldn’t rely too much on statements generated this way. Of course there is a risk of damaging the pedal, but I’d like to find out how high the risk ist.

Back in the days I had a TC parametric EQ which was designed to house a 9V battery but at some point on a gig I found out that it would slightly distort in certain peak-signal situations. The manual said that it was possible to power it with higher voltage so I powered it with 15V which worked fine. But at that time TC was a small company, not as commercially oriented as nowadays.

Possibly. I'm not qualified to say if the IA was wrong but product specifications exist for a reason and I'd personally much rather use a suitable adapter than risk a damaged pedal.