Leaving pedals turned on... bad?

johnd · #1 09-17-2014, 01:26 AM

Is it a problem to leave effects pedals and stompboxes turned on for long periods of time (days)? My "turn the lights off as you leave the room" upbringing says I should turn them off but does it actually reduce their life?

What about having pedals turned off, but still powered up (i.e. not unplugging them)?

BTF · #2 09-17-2014, 04:45 AM

I'd think the actual circuitry in the pedal wouldn't have a problem being on for extended periods of time. I'd wager the charge-up rush from the pedal being turn on would be more stressful than the constant-on state.

But one thing to consider is heat buildup in the power supply. If the unit has a built in power supply, that power supply transformer tends to get warm. Not necessarily hot. Also adapters often get warm as well. This could conceivably shorten the transformer life or with a cheap adapter pose a fire hazard. Then again, perhaps not.

Another thing, I'd definitely not leave a tube device on for extended periods (that is, days).

Overall, for a solid state pedal I'd say it's probably not a big deal to leave the unit on. Plenty of people leave cable boxes, CD, VCR and DVD players on all the time, 24/7/365.

The nebbish in me says power down, but I wouldn't think you're harming anything by leaving them on.

jonfields45 · #3 09-17-2014, 06:14 AM

Heat is the enemy (retired EE speaking here). If it does not get warm, no issues leaving it on. Jon

frankhond · #4 09-17-2014, 06:58 AM

There are articles about this kind of stuff in Sound on Sound regularly. Every pro studio keeps everything on, all the time. Especially old and sensitive equipment. The damage occurs mostly during powerup.

Heat is a separate issue and needs to be managed appropriately.

moon · #5 09-17-2014, 09:30 AM

Yeah that's my understanding. When you power on, the components heat up suddenly, metal expands and this causes a certain amount of stress. A circuit which experiences significant warming (without actually overheating) is better left on.

However, pedals use small voltages and have tiny currents so I don't think it really matters either way.

johnd · #6 09-17-2014, 09:32 AM

Thanks for the replies. For clarity, these are all solid state pedals. No valves... and I DO turn off the amp.

I did wonder about my tuner. It has a nice LCD display when it's muted and I worry about that burning in. But on the other hand un-muting when the guitar is unplugged just seems wrong, having a "live" jack lying around.

franchelB · #7 09-17-2014, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnd

Is it a problem to leave effects pedals and stompboxes turned on for long periods of time (days)? My "turn the lights off as you leave the room" upbringing says I should turn them off but does it actually reduce their life?

What about having pedals turned off, but still powered up (i.e. not unplugging them)?

Only if you use batteries. Batteries drain...

J.R. Rogers · #8 09-18-2014, 09:50 PM

Personally, I'd turn them off. LED's and components have a lifespan. These little Belkin on/off switches are really handy. I have them on some of my pedals that require their own power supply.

http://www.amazon.com/Pack-Belkin-Co...0B6BDVP6E54E8T

redir · #9 09-22-2014, 09:22 AM

Good question, one I have wondered about too. I've always turned them off. It just seems like the right thing to do.

MikeBmusic · #10 09-23-2014, 07:52 AM

Plug all your power supplies (assuming you don't use a common supply) into one power strip, then one switch does it all.

Paleolith54 · #11 09-23-2014, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

Plug all your power supplies (assuming you don't use a common supply) into one power strip, then one switch does it all.

This is my approach. I only turn it off to save the electricity, though. I asked Keeley Electronics about the LEDs, they said they would be burning long after we are gone.

Sombras · #12 09-23-2014, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBmusic

Plug all your power supplies (assuming you don't use a common supply) into one power strip, then one switch does it all.

That's my practice, too.

Psalad · #13 09-23-2014, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnd

Is it a problem to leave effects pedals and stompboxes turned on for long periods of time (days)? My "turn the lights off as you leave the room" upbringing says I should turn them off but does it actually reduce their life?

What about having pedals turned off, but still powered up (i.e. not unplugging them)?

The only problem is the wall wart will die sooner.

johnd · #14 09-23-2014, 11:54 AM

If I had a wall wart I think I'd want it to die

redir · #15 09-23-2014, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psalad

The only problem is the wall wart will die sooner.

That was my thinking behind it too. Those do seem to warm up.