Battery Powered Pedalboard

[timryland]

I am looking to build a pedalboard. However, I want it to be batttery powered as I want to use it where there may be no mains. I already use a Vox DA5 as an amp and am happy with the battery life it has.

However, I find that my Zoom 508 pretty much eats PP3 batteries. The other problem is , I sometimes forget to disconnect the cable, so leaving the effect switched on, also once on a pedalboard it will be awkward to keep changing the batteries.

I am using a BOSS Acoustic Simulator, BOSS Blues Driver, Passive Volume pedal, and a Zoom 508. I reckon total battey drain to be around 80 - 100ma total. I have thought about connecting a couple of PP3 batteries in parallel, but this would probably only give around 300 - 350maH.

I am considering using 6* C or D type batteries, these give around 2500maH so should last longer.

My idea is 2 sets of these through a switch to allow one set to be on standby if the other set runs out. Then feed the output via a daisy chain cable to my effects pedals 9V in socket.

Has anybody done anything like this before, or can see any problems.

Thanks,

Tim.

[graeme]

I've never had the need to do this, but you're definitely thinking along the right lines.

PP3's simply do not have the sort of capacity you require - they're just about the only 9v package that the manufacturers can squeeze into their products - and since most people use some sort of mains powering,they rarely see a lot of use anyway.

C or D cells are a much better bet. Alternatively, if space is a consideration, you can find rechargeable AA's with 2,500 mAH capacity and these should work well (I successfully use these in my Casio MG510 and that really canes batteries).