Topic: Correct UA-5 Voltage?

[johnw]

The adapter says the output is 9V 1A, and the battery packs should be somewhere around 9V right? When I measure the output from the plug on the adapter, I get ~13 V. WHen I measure the output from the battery, I get ~ 10V. I have a new Radio Shack 22-820 meter (the foldable yellow one). Should I get a better meter or are these the correct voltages I should be getting?

[Craig T]

I believe it will take 9-12v DC.  Most of us are using the 9.6v NiMH packs made for remote controlled toys, but there are a few using 12v SLA's.

Craig.

[ChrisV]

Yep, anything between 9 V to 12 V and you are golden....I think even saw a thread back around here where they took apart the UA-5 and saw the thing(instert proper part name here) could handle up to 40 something volts?   But of course wouldn't recommend that since it would probably heat it up a ton.   Anyways, the 13 V reading you are getting from the AC adapter should be fine.

[ChrisV]

Figure I would try it out too and see what reading I get....I got 12.62 V reading on the AC adapter with mine.

[johnw]

Thanks Chris - that makes me feel better about it. The 9.6V battery definitely runs it, but I was a little weary about it since it is only supposed to take 9 and the adapter is feeding it 13. This brings up another question though. I know some guitar players prefer using batteries on their pedals because they feel that batteries change the sound quality of their pedals. Specifically, one person (Warren Haynes?) uses only half emptied 9Vs on his wah pedal. So I wonder if the preamp sound changes with different voltages? Either way, thanks

[BobW]

Voltage regulator circuits (not very unlike the one in your car) keep the voltage constant.

Wah Pedals, especially older ones (Cry-Baby, etc.) are not likely to have a VR.

The UA-5 is probably regulated, so as long as the voltage makes the minimum required and doesn't go over the regulator's maximum spec, all is good.

[teajay]

I wonder what Warren does to empty those 9V's, and who the schmuck (sp?) is with that job?  

ooh, i need to find better ways of occupying my time than thinking of this kind of nonsense...

travis

[johnw]

Thanks for the clarification Bob

[sexymexi]

i have the 9.6v batts, and when fully charged they push just over 12v's..  And i'm charging them with the stock charger they sent me.. its a 12 v charger. but i havn't had any problems..  take into consideration that each cell in a battery pack like that is 1.5v right?  and there are 8 of them making 12v's.  or i think, i don';t have them sitting next to me..  peace.

matt