Modding Mains Powered Pedal?

[JONFROMJERSEY]

Hi

I have a pedal that is mains powered, that is, the power cable is attached to the pedal permanently. AC hardwired in. Is there a way for me to mod it so that I can have a power cable I can detach? My instinct says yes, with some drilling and soldering and the right parts, but is there something I am missing?

It is a Carl Martin Quattro I am talking about.

Thanks.

[mynameisjonas]

I think the determining factor would be whether or not there's enough room to install a socket.

[JONFROMJERSEY]

Ah yeah. So then it is possible to install a socket, given there is room? Does anyone have any tips for this?

[fuzzjunkie]

I have seen mods for adding power jacks to battery powered pedals, but never to mains. I have also seen the socket style modded to mains, but never the other way around. I haven’t tried either method.

[timtam]

If you know where to cut the wires to the transformer, and there is room to drill for and correctly wire and insulate an IEC socket, it should be possible. Remembering of course that you're dealing with mains voltage. So way more dangerous than just adding a small DC socket to a battery-only pedal.

BTW I notice that there are two models, one for 110 volts and one for 230 volts (different internal transformers). So what you're contemplating obviously won't change that.

The main tip is to know exactly what you're doing.

[mynameisjonas]

The main tip is to know exactly what you're doing.

^This. Incorrect installation of the socket could potentially kill you. So if you're feeling the least but uncertain, don't do it.

But this is not rocket science, you just need to make sure you have the ground lead connected to the ground pin of the socket, and that you have solid connections. If you cut the existing cable, you can strip off the outer insulation and use those leads to connect to the socket. You should always make the ground lead a little bit longer than the hot and neutral leads, so that if the thing were to fall apart, the ground lead will be the last one to fail.

[JONFROMJERSEY]

Thanks folks. I was thinking about doing this for the sake of convenience but it would be inconvenient to die, and to ruin my nice pedal, so I guess I will just leave it...

[treblemaker]

I’m sure it could be easily done by a professional (if there’s enough room to install the socket). Maybe you can approach a local electrician or audio shop, if you can’t find someone who mods pedals specifically.