Build Your Own Pedal Power Cables
Hey DIYers,
Below is a parts list plus wiring diagrams you will need in order to build yourself almost any variety
of DC power cables for your pedalboard power supply from shortening a standard polarity power
cable, to reverse polarity, to voltage doubler, to current doubler, to y-cable/splitter.
XOXO, ~ Uncle Mason, The Rig Doctor
PARTS LIST (Amazon Affiliate links included)
1) DC Power Plugs 2.1mm x 5.5mm (Right Angle)
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2UBi6dZ
2) DC Power Plugs 2.1mm x 5.5mm (Straight)
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/3akxr9l
Alternate --- https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kobiconn/171-PA5521B-1-E
Alternate --- https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Kobiconn/171-PA5521B-1-E
3) Bulk DC Power Cables (blunt cut/molded)
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/3auDJDm
Alternate --- https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RMIXpack--voodoo-lab-pedal-power-cable-pack-18-inch-24-inch-36-inch-ang-ang-std
Alternate --- https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/RMIXpack--voodoo-lab-pedal-power-cable-pack-18-inch-24-inch-36-inch-ang-ang-std
4) Zip Ties
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2HP1Ulv
Alternate --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-in-UV-Cable-Tie-Black-1000-Pack-GT-100MB/203531926
Alternate --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Commercial-Electric-4-in-UV-Cable-Tie-Black-1000-Pack-GT-100MB/203531926
5) Heat Shrink
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2UfnFzP
Alternate --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-3-in-Length-Assorted-Heat-Shrink-Black-Tubing-160-Kit-HST-ASTB/202797328
Alternate --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Gardner-Bender-3-in-Length-Assorted-Heat-Shrink-Black-Tubing-160-Kit-HST-ASTB/202797328
6) Wire Snips
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2EazwqU
Alternate --- https://www.homedepot.com/p/Platinum-Tools-5-in-Full-Flush-Cut-Side-Cutting-Pliers-10531C/301068029
7A) Wire Strippers (30-20 AWG)
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2BBMI6n
7B) Wire Strippers (20-10 AWG)
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2EbhBR3
8) Kester 60/40 Solder
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2U7XhsD
Alternate --- https://www.parts-express.com/kester-44-rosin-core-solder-60-40-050-1-lb-spool--370-090
8) Weller Soldering Iron
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2TTdMI4
9) Vise/Thrid Hand
Amazon ---- https://amzn.to/2E9eTLO
Alternate --- https://www.grainger.com/product/3KZK4
DC POWER CABLE #1 (STANDARD POLARITY)
This is the standard DC power cable that comes with 99.9% of power supplies. Brands like Voodoo Lab,
Truetone, Strymon, etc. Use the wiring diagram below to shorten the provided cables that come with your
power supply to make your DC power cables to length.
Truetone, Strymon, etc. Use the wiring diagram below to shorten the provided cables that come with your
power supply to make your DC power cables to length.
POWER CABLE #2 (REVERSE POLARITY)
Reverse polarity cables are often used for vintage style pedals, vintage fuzzes or PNP, or NPN style transistor
based devices. Although these aren't commonly used, the diagram below will show you how to re-wire the
provided cables with your power supply in order to accomidate your reverse polarity devices.
based devices. Although these aren't commonly used, the diagram below will show you how to re-wire the
provided cables with your power supply in order to accomidate your reverse polarity devices.
POWER CABLE #3 (VOLTAGE DOUBLER), POWER CABLE #4 (CURRENT DOUBLER)
Voltage doublers allow you two double the voltage of a power supply by combining two outputs in series.
I.E. two 9VDC output become 18VDC, or two 12VDC output become 24VDC. This is a great trick to use on
your pedalboard so you don't need to purcahse any adapter cables. Be sure you only do this modification if
you have an isolated power supply - doing this on a non-isolated power supply could result in damage.
I.E. two 9VDC output become 18VDC, or two 12VDC output become 24VDC. This is a great trick to use on
your pedalboard so you don't need to purcahse any adapter cables. Be sure you only do this modification if
you have an isolated power supply - doing this on a non-isolated power supply could result in damage.
Current doublers will allow you to double the current of a power supply by wiring two output in parallel.
I.E. two 9VDC @ 500mA outputs wired in parallel become 9VDC @ 1000mA (or 1A), so you can power high
current devices such as a Line 6 HX Effects or HX Stomp.
I.E. two 9VDC @ 500mA outputs wired in parallel become 9VDC @ 1000mA (or 1A), so you can power high
current devices such as a Line 6 HX Effects or HX Stomp.
POWER CABLE #5 (Y CABLE/SPLITTER)
A Y Cable or Splitter cable is identical in wiring to the parallel cable for the current doubler above, however
the lenghts of the cables are different and where they connect to the power supply change (only one output
from the power supply will be used). A Y cable or splitter, will allow you to power two stompboxes off of a
single power output from your power supply. This is only recommended if your power supply is already
maxed out, and you need to combine power on select pedals. This technique only works with low current
analog distortion, overdrive, boost, type devices. Make sure the two pedals you are connecting don't exceed
the total milliamps of that output. I.E. if you put a splitter cable on a 9VDC @ 100mA power supply output,
be sure the current draw of those two pedals conencted to it don't exceed 100mA in total. It's also be to test
which pedals can share powe without noise, so always do a sound check before comitting to this wiring.
the lenghts of the cables are different and where they connect to the power supply change (only one output
from the power supply will be used). A Y cable or splitter, will allow you to power two stompboxes off of a
single power output from your power supply. This is only recommended if your power supply is already
maxed out, and you need to combine power on select pedals. This technique only works with low current
analog distortion, overdrive, boost, type devices. Make sure the two pedals you are connecting don't exceed
the total milliamps of that output. I.E. if you put a splitter cable on a 9VDC @ 100mA power supply output,
be sure the current draw of those two pedals conencted to it don't exceed 100mA in total. It's also be to test
which pedals can share powe without noise, so always do a sound check before comitting to this wiring.
