Re: [Harp-L] Pignose Amp (batteries)

[<ironmanmc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

If you use NiMH rechargeable AA's (more current than NiCd, and no "memory" - 
NiCds lose capacity if you only partially discharge them regularly - they 
"memorize" the cycle), it's cheaper than alkalines, and your wall wart hum 
problem will be gone.  Even though they're 1.2 volts each (= 7.2 volts 
total) rather than 1.5 (= 9 volts) for alkalines, they'll work fine.  Alkies 
drop in voltage over their useful life.  Rechargeables are a constant 1.2 
volts until almost completely discharged.  Then, with almost zero warning, 
they plummet straight off the edge of the earth into battery-limbo.  For 
that reason, I always carry spares.

Most chargers require 14 hours or so for a complete charge.  Charging normal 
rechargeables much faster tends to heat them, which can eventually dry them 
out and shorten their useful life.

You might want to look into fast charging AA cells.  Ray-O-Vac makes "IC3" 
(Internal Charge Control Circuitry) that recharge in a blazing 15 minutes. 
Their charger is only 4 cells, but with the 15 minute charge time, putting 
in a second batch is a minimal annoyance at worst (or buy a second charger). 
They're more expensive than other rechargeables, but man, is that 15 minute 
charging time *nice*.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Paul Routledge" <kingley@xxxxxxx>
To: "Harp L L" <Harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 1:43 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Pignose Amp


> Thanks for the info Dean.
>
> I will have to look into the adapter thing for certain.
>
> Paul
>
>
> On 9 Feb 2006, at 21:16, Dean Williams wrote:
>
> > Greetings -
> >
> > Pignose offers two differnt AC adapters - a cheaper one that hums  pretty 
> > bad and a (slightly) pricier one that only hums a little.   It seems like 
> > I had good luck with a Danelectro AC adapter (the one  made for their 
> > effects pedals - about $12).
> >
> > I altered mine to use a single 9V battery instead of all those AAs,  but 
> > it still goes through batteries pretty fast, so the AC adapter  is 
> > important to have.
> >
> > Good luck with it -
> >
> > Dean Williams
>
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