Pedal Power! 9V DC to 12V DC

[Moroccomoose]

I have a TC Electronic G-System floor pedal/multi fx and a TC Electronic Nova Drive (Digitally controlled all analogue overdrive). These two things are designed to be paired together, so it is possible to control the Nova drive from the G-System via midi. It is highly integrated such that ass soon as you connect them, the G-System displays "Nova Drive detected" and you can go on to control the parameters from there.

That's the back ground.

Additionally, the G-System has 4x 9v power outlets for the purpose of powering stomp boxes but irritatingly, the Nova Drive requires 12V dc from its own wall wart. Why oh why did they not have the foresight to to either limit the Nova Drive to 9V or provide a power outlet for it from the floor board, given the level of integration already implemented!

Is there a clever and safe way I could utilise the 9V dc and transform it to 12Vcd so I could power the Nova Drive from the G-system? I'm guessing probably not, but I just thought I'd consult the hive mind!

[adrian_k]

When I had a need to drive both 9v and 12v pedals I used something like this:

https://amzn.eu/d/2iI8zUK

Doesn’t answer your question directly but at least it’s one power supply not multiple boxes.

[Sam Spoons]

A DC-DC converter would work but it may also introduce digital noise. And it will be an additional box* between the G-System and the Nova Drive.

* The one I've linked is a bare circuit board so will need an enclosure to make it gig-worthy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weewooday-Adju ... =8-10&th=1

[Moroccomoose]

Oo! For the sake of a tenner, worth a punt. Cheers Sam.

[adrian_k]

I wondered about that, but if you want 9V in and 12V out I was confused by the statement in the description:

the input voltage must be higher than the voltage to be output by 1v or more

[James Perrett]

A DC-DC converter would work but it may also introduce digital noise. And it will be an additional box* between the G-System and the Nova Drive.

* The one I've linked is a bare circuit board so will need an enclosure to make it gig-worthy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weewooday-Adju ... =8-10&th=1

That one won't work because it is configured to only step down the voltage rather than boost it. While it is possible to do both in one unit, the design is usually slightly more complex and less efficient.

[ef37a]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITEN-Conver ... C8C8JX8VUO

I deployed a similar device some years ago to convert 12V to 24V, worked flawlessly. I have also used other DC-DC converters, in one instance to convert 5V USB power to 10V for guitar pedals, no switching noise problems at all. I have also had experience of a pedal containing a "charge pump IC and MOSFET to convert ~20V to 300V. Even though there were two PCBs sandwiched some 10mm apart, switching noise was very low.

You would be hard put to find a PSU these days that wasn't a "switcher"! We don't get any complaints AFAIK?

Dave.

[Moroccomoose]

Ah yes, its a step up in voltage I need. Good spot.

[Moroccomoose]

Ah Brilliant, Thanks Dave.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGITEN-Conver ... C8C8JX8VUO

I deployed a similar device some years ago to convert 12V to 24V, worked flawlessly. I have also used other DC-DC converters, in one instance to convert 5V USB power to 10V for guitar pedals, no switching noise problems at all. I have also had experience of a pedal containing a "charge pump IC and MOSFET to convert ~20V to 300V. Even though there were two PCBs sandwiched some 10mm apart, switching noise was very low.

You would be hard put to find a PSU these days that wasn't a "switcher"! We don't get any complaints AFAIK?

Dave.

[Sam Spoons]

A DC-DC converter would work but it may also introduce digital noise. And it will be an additional box* between the G-System and the Nova Drive.

* The one I've linked is a bare circuit board so will need an enclosure to make it gig-worthy.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Weewooday-Adju ... =8-10&th=1

That one won't work because it is configured to only step down the voltage rather than boost it. While it is possible to do both in one unit, the design is usually slightly more complex and less efficient.

Yes, sorry I don't know how that happened, I must have copied the wrong link as I had found a boost convertor. This one will do the job anyway https://www.amazon.co.uk/DollaTek-Conve ... 35&sr=8-17 I have a few of them in the electronic bits box.

[Wonks]

Not worth carrying on any further down this road. The G system can supply a maximum of 200mA from its four 9v outlets (50mA each according to the manual) and the 12v the NDR-1 needs is at 380mA.

So even if you stepped up the voltage, you simply don't have the current to get the drive to work. It's a 1.8W power supply, and the pedal has a 4.56W consumption.

Probably the main reason they didn't try to put 12v outputs on the G-system.

[Sam Spoons]

Good spot Wonky

[ef37a]

Not worth carrying on any further down this road. The G system can supply a maximum of 200mA from its four 9v outlets (50mA each according to the manual) and the 12v the NDR-1 needs is at 380mA.

So even if you stepped up the voltage, you simply don't have the current to get the drive to work. It's a 1.8W power supply, and the pedal has a 4.56W consumption.

Probably the main reason they didn't try to put 12v outputs on the G-system.

Bugger! I found the NDR-1 needed 380mA but did not track that back to the source supply. I am going to claim advanced age and LOADS of meds!

Dave.

[Wonks]

Some of them prescription ones!