A really stupid, tired question

[Fred G.]

I'm going to apoligize in advance for this one...

I have a pile of old cordless phone transformers - the voltages and current look right - the only issue I see is that the plugs need rewired - can I use these for my stomp boxes?

The reason I ask is because I'm new to stomp box land - I've always been a direct plug n' play type -can I use these old AC adapters for stomp boxes?

Thanks very much in advance.

Fred G.

[Sweetfinger]

If the voltage and current are right, and you rewire at the correct polarity, the only problem you might encounter is regulation and filtering. Some effects require a highly regulated and/or filtered power supply, some don't. The pedal won't say, and the power supply probably won't tell you if is properly filtered or regulated. Generally, old school transistor stuff like Tubescreamers, analog flangers, delays, overdrives, and Wahs are going to be tolerant of an unregulated supply. Digital boxes, not so much. As for filtering, some pedals have internal filtering, some don't. You'll know when your power supply and pedal aren't fully filtered, you'll hear hum.

[Fred G.]

I see...

I think I may be beating a dead horse, maybe...it almost looks like it's more sensible to just buy the right type of adapter and not try to 'scrounge" old ones.

It's just that I have hoarded up several of them thinking I might find something useful to do with them!

Thanks again!

[JoeM]

I've scounged a lot of these. Some I've opened up for the transformers and mounted in boxes so I could add more filtering etc.