Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2 Plus User manual

PEDAL POWER
User’sManual
2PLUS

Please visit our web site at:
www.voodoolab.com
Copyright ©1998-2006 by Digital Music Corporation.
This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved.
No part of it may be reproduced or transmitted by any means or in any form
without the express prior consent in writing from Digital Music Corporation.
Voodoo Lab and Pedal Power are trademarks of Digital Music Corp.

VOODOO LAB PEDAL POWER
User’s Manual
Introduction
The Voodoo Lab Pedal Power is the finest power supply available
for pedal effects. The Pedal Power provides eight 9V outputs which
will power any type of battery operated effects. Each output is com-
pletely isolated, short-circuit protected, highly filtered and regulated.
This insures reliable operation, free of hum and noise.
The new Pedal Power 2 Plus now powers Line6 modeling pedals,
Boss Twin pedals, and includes two variable voltage outputs to
simulate worn batteries. The U.S. model (120V input) can operate
from 50Hz or 60Hz mains to allow use with a step-down trans-
former in 50Hz countries.
Please take the time to read this entire manual before operating
your Voodoo Lab Pedal Power. This will eliminate the possibility
of damage to your effects from improper usage. You can also visit
our web site at www.voodoolab.com for the latest information on
this and other products.
Unpacking
Your Voodoo Lab Pedal Power box should contain the following:
Pedal Power 2 Plus system unit
Warranty card
AC power cord
DC Power cables:
5.5x2.1mm barrel connectors (6)
5.5x2.5mm “red” barrel (2)
3.5mm mini plug (1)
9V battery snap (1)

Please take a moment to fill out and mail your warranty card. This
will register your warranty, make you eligible for technical support,
and allow us to notify you with updates and new product information.
Don’t worry, we respect your privacy and never sell our mailing list.
System Unit Description
1. AC auxiliary. This is a courtesy AC outlet for convenient
powering of AC powered effects or a MIDI foot controller.
Note the 200 watt maximum rating. Do NOT plug in your
amp here!
2. AC power input jack. This is a standard “IEC-type” connector.
3. Power indicator. This LED indicates the Pedal Power system
unit is operating.
4. DC output jacks (8). Each output provides 9 volts of isolated,
filtered and regulated DC power for your pedal effects.

5. Voltage selector DIP switches. These switches select the output
voltage. Switches 1-8 correspond to DC outputs 1-8. Normal 9V
operation is with the switch in the “NORMAL” position.
NORMAL
6. SAG controls (not shown). Next to output jacks 7 and 8 are
controls to vary the voltage from 4-9V.
About Pedal Boards
Before connecting the Pedal Power to your pedals, let’s talk about
pedal boards. The best installation is to mount your pedals and
power supply to a suitable pedal board. You can use anything from
apiece of plywood to a professionally built unit available from any
reliable supplier of road cases. Securely mounting your effects and
power supply will make it easy to transport without damage and
eliminates excessive flexing of cables which will cause their pre-
mature failure.
Most devices (pedal effects, power supply, tuner, volume pedals,
wah, etc.) can be mounted to the pedal board using an industrial
adhesive-backed velcro such as 3M dual lock. Audio cables should
be as short as possible. You can use off-the-shelf patch cords, or
better yet, make your own exactly to length.
Once the cables are all neatlyrouted, finish the job by securing
them with nylon cable ties and cable tie mounts. If you constructed
the board itself, heavy duty rubber feet and metal handles are useful
and will giveaprofessional appearance.
Voodoo Lab can supply you with most necessary materials includ-
ing dual lock, cable, connectors, hardware and manyprofessional
wiring accessories. Contact us for current availability and pricing.

Connections
The Voodoo Lab Pedal Power has eight DC output jacks. These
accept barrel type connectors. Notice that each of your DC power
cables have a barrel connector on at least one end. The other end has
either another identical barrel connector (6 supplied), a 5.5x2.5mm
RED barrel (2), a 3.5mm mini-plug (1), or a battery snap (1).
Use the standard barrel connector cables with Boss, newer DOD,
Ibanez and Voodoo Lab pedals. If you have a pedal from another
manufacturer which appears to use the same connector, you must
verify that the polarity is “center negative” to prevent damage to the
pedal. This is the standard polarity and virtually all pedals are wired
this way. Exceptions are the Fulltone ‘69, SoulBender, and Octafuzz
pedals and Big Briar Moogerfoogers, which have their power jacks
wired for “center positive”. If you have these or other pedals which
require reversed polarity, see “More About Cables” below.
Boss Twin pedals, like the DD-20, use the standard barrel connector
cables from outputs 5 and 6 only. Keep the corresponding switch in
the “NORMAL”position.
Use the cables with 3.5mm mini plugs for Dunlop, MXR reissue
and some older Voodoo Lab pedals. When using pedals of another
manufacturer, you must verify that the polarity is “tip positive”.
This is the standard polarity for pedals which use the 3.5mm mini
plug for power. If you have a pedal with reversed polarity, see
“More About Cables” below.
Line6 modeling pedals (not Tone Core), likethe DL4, use the
RED 5.5x2.5mm barrel from outputs 5 or 6 only. Remember to set
the corresponding switch to the “ON” position.
If you have a pedal which has no power jack at all, but it runs on a
single 9V battery, you can still power it using your Voodoo Lab
Pedal Power. Use the cable with the 9V battery snap on one end.

This will mate with the battery snap inside your pedal once its
battery has been removed.
Voltage Selector DIP Switches
On the bottom of the Pedal Power is an 8 position DIP switch with
switches numbered 1-8. These switches correspond to Outputs 1-8
and select the output voltage. Normally, they should all be in the
“OFF” or “NORMAL” position for 9 volt operation.
Boss Pedals
There are two types of Boss pedals. These are identified by the type
of power supply specified, either PSA or ACA. Almost all Boss
pedals specify the PSA type adapter and operate at 9V like most
other pedals. Boss pedals which specify the ACA type adapter
operate at a higher voltage. When powering Boss pedals that require
ACA adapters you must use outputs 1-4 only and switch the corre-
sponding Voltage Selector DIP Switch to the “ON” position.
The new Boss Twin pedals, like the DD-20, have a higher current
requirement and will operate from outputs 5 and 6 only. Leave the
corresponding switch in the “NORMAL” position.
For example, let’s say you have a Boss CS-3 Compressor/Sustainer.
Next to the power jack is a sticker which says “Use BOSS ACA
adapter only”. You are connecting a barrel connector cable from
Pedal Power DC Output #3 to the CS-3 power jack. Since the CS-3
specifies an ACA type adapter, you must set Voltage Selector DIP
Switch #3 on the bottom of the Pedal Power to the “ON” position.
Line6 Modeling Pedals
You can power the Line6 modeling pedals (but not the POD) using
outputs 5 or 6 and setting the corresponding switch to the “ON”
position. Remember to use the RED 5.5x2.5mm barrel cable for
these pedals.

Line6 Tone Core pedals can be powered from any output with its
switch in the “NORMAL” position.
SAG Outputs
Outputs 7 and 8 permit you to adjust or SAG the voltage from about
4V to 9V. To enable this feature you must set the corresponding
switch to the “ON” position. This allows you to simulate worn bat-
teries. This is mostly useful for transistor-based fuzz and distortion
circuits, as modern opamp designs are minimally affected by vari-
ations in supply voltage. It is not recommended for digital pedals.
More About Cables
The DC power cables supplied with your Voodoo Lab Pedal Power 2
are suitable for most common pedal effects. If you need additional
cables they are available directly from Voodoo Lab. If you need
cables of a different length, with reversed polarity,or with a special
connector, contact us and we can provide them for you.
Operation
Using the aboveinformation, connect the DC power cables between
the Pedal Power outputs and the power jacks on your pedal effects.
Nowconnect the AC power cord from the AC Power Input jack on
the Pedal Power to a suitable AC outlet. The Pedal Power’s red LED
power indicator should light telling you that it’s working properly.

Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions, this is the first place to look!
Why is the LED on my Boss pedal so dim?
Check to see if your Boss pedal is supposed to operate with
an ACA type adapter. It will say this either on a sticker near
the power jack, or on the bottom plate. You need to operate this
pedal at a higher voltage by setting the appropriate Voltage
Selector DIP Switch on the bottom of the Pedal Power to the
“OFF” position. See the section above “Boss Pedals”.
Can the Pedal Power fit in a rack?
The height of the Pedal Power was intentionally kept to 1-3/4
inches so that it can fit in one rack space.
What if my pedal uses reversed polarity (positive ground)?
Because the Pedal Power has each of its DC outputs isolated,
it doesn’t matter whether your pedals are negative or positive
ground. What does matter is that the power jack has the cor-
rect polarity. The barrel connectors provided are for center
negative and the 3.5mm mini plugs are for tip positive. If your
pedal is different from this, contact Voodoo Lab to obtain the
correct cable.
Doesn’tmy pedal need a 300mA power supply?
Not if it runs on a standard 9V battery. The adapter available
from the pedal’s manufacturer may be able to supply up to
200 or 300mA, but pedal effects which will run on a battery
will not draw more than about 65mA.

Can I use the Pedal Power instead of the AC adapter for my
processor or MIDI pedal?
No. The Pedal Power is intended to run only pedal effects
which are normally powered by 9V batteries. You can plug
the AC adapter supplied with your processor or MIDI pedal
into the Pedal Power’s AC auxiliary outlet.
Can I power my pedal which requires 18V (uses two
9V batteries)?
Yes. Because the Pedal Power’s outputs are individually iso-
lated, you can wire two of them in series for 18V. Be sure to
observe proper polarity. Voodoo Lab can provide you with a
custom cable to do this.
How can I get additional DC power cables?
Contact your dealer to obtain additional cables.
What if I need a special cable?
Voodoo Lab can provide anycable you need.
What is a toroidal transformer and why does my Pedal Power
have one?
Power transformers create a magnetic field that can cause
hum and noise in your effects. A toroidal transformer has a
speciallydesigned core that greatly reduces this field. The
Pedal Power uses this type of transformer so that your pedal
board is quiet.

Specifications
Input: IEC connector
120V 50/60Hz (North America)
100V 60Hz (Japan)
230V 50/60Hz (Europe/Australia)
Outputs: 5.5x2.1mm barrel connectors center negative
Six 9VDC 100mA regulated
Two 9VDC 200mA regulated
Four selectable for Boss ACA
Two selectable for Line6 Modelers
Two adjustable sag 4 to 9V
Short circuit protected.
Physical: 6” wide x 3.4” deep x 1.75” tall (152x86x45mm)
Weight 2 lbs. (0.9 kg).
Special: Toroidal power transformer.
Auxiliary AC outlet, 200 watts max.

Warranty
Voodoo Lab warrants this product against defects that are due to
faulty material or workmanship for a period of five years from the
date of original retail purchase. This warranty does not include
damage to the product resulting from accident or misuse. This
warranty is given to the original purchaser only and it is not
assignable to any other person.
If the product should become defective within the warranty period,
Voodoo Lab will repair it or replace it free of charge, provided it is
returned freight prepaid to Voodoo Lab with a valid RMA (return
material authorization) number.
This warranty shall not apply to any goods that have been repaired
or altered by anyone other than the manufacturer. There are no
warranties which extend beyond the terms described herein.
Should you experience any difficulty with this Voodoo Lab product,
contact us as described below. If it is determined that the product
must be returned to the factory for repair, you will be issued an
RMA and given shipping and packaging instructions.
How to ReachUs
You can reach us by any of the following:
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Mail: Voodoo Lab
3165 Coffey Lane, Santa Rosa, CA 95403
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.voodoolab.com