Thoughts On Removing The AC Power Cord For A TC Electronic SCF

[FuzzMonkey]

I picked this up on Trade Me recently for fairly cheap. It was imported into the country from Japan but died after a couple of weeks of use. It was a relatively simple fix; the MN3007 failed. Luckily for me, I had an old Boss Super Chorus that I had cannibalised for parts so had a spare. They were even kind enough to have installed a DIP8 socket for IC, making it super easy to swap over.



Anyway, it is powered via AC mains power that is rectified and regulated to 12-volts DC. The AC power chord is quite annoying as you can imagine and is further complicated by the fact that the internal transformer is rated for 110-volts due to the country of origin, so a 240-to-110-volt step-down transformer is also required to use it.

Should I modify this to use a DC power supply in order to get rid of the AC power chord and do away with the step-down transformer or keep it original? Thoughts?

~ Blake.

[jeremyb]

I'd convert it, way more sale-able at 12V!

[Zaulkin]

Yes you should. I used to have one of these and got it converted. So much easier.

[FuzzMonkey]

Yes you should. I used to have one of these and got it converted. So much easier.

What voltage power supply do you run it on now if you don't mind me asking?

[FuzzMonkey]

I'd convert it, way more sale-able at 12V!

That's the other thing. I could install a charge pump so you run it off a 9-volt power supply and gid rid of the need for any higher voltage power supply like a 12-volt or a 15-volt. There would be plenty of room inside once the transformer is removed. The only concern would be potential noise from the charge pump.

[jeremyb]

I'd convert it, way more sale-able at 12V!

That's the other thing. I could install a charge pump so you run it off a 9-volt power supply and gid rid of the need for any higher voltage power supply like a 12-volt or a 15-volt. There would be plenty of room inside once the transformer is removed. The only concern would be potential noise from the charge pump.

9V would be preferable, can always test with a pump

[FuzzMonkey]

9V would be preferable, can always test with a pump

The charge pump option would be the option I'd go with if/when I decide.

[murky]

Curious, does the mains tranny in the pedal introduce EMI noise into pedals around it? Try putting it right next to (or even physically on top of) a drive/dist pedal.

[FuzzMonkey]

Curious, does the mains tranny in the pedal introduce EMI noise into pedals around it? Try putting it right next to (or even physically on top of) a drive/dist pedal.

I tried a couple of different pedals but no; it doesn't.

[Zaulkin]

Yes you should. I used to have one of these and got it converted. So much easier.

What voltage power supply do you run it on now if you don't mind me asking?

That was probably 15 years ago. A tech did it - cant remember the voltage sorry!

[FuzzMonkey]

That was probably 15 years ago. A tech did it - cant remember the voltage sorry!

No worries.

[TmcB]

I vote charge pump and ripping that nasty ac guff outta there

[MiniForklift]

It’s a yes from me, I’m sure a conversion to 9v would make a lot of sense if it’s possible and not too much of a pain to do. Quite a cool looking pedal, can’t say I’ve ever seen one of them before

[rickenbackerkid]

I'd avoid charge pump, set it up for 18 volt input with some Zeners or something to drop voltage to 12. Many power supplies have 18v or lots of 9v's that can be used with a voltage doubler cable. These are superb pedals, I saw that on FB and nearly bought it myself. I hope you paid a reasonable amount for it as I felt for the poor seller, she sounded a bit gutted.

[rickenbackerkid]

It’s a yes from me, I’m sure a conversion to 9v would make a lot of sense if it’s possible and not too much of a pain to do. Quite a cool looking pedal, can’t say I’ve ever seen one of them before

these are legendary secret weapon pedals. Joe Bonamassa, Eric Johnson, Def Leppard to name a few. Along with the Boss CE-1 and the EHX Electric Mistress they would be the 3 most sought after chorus pedals ever.