Reverse Polarity Damage... I think???

[John-Allan]

I'm not sure if reverse polarity is the right term, but upon a few google searches I am under the impression that it has to do with + to -, instead of + to + and - to -. Feel free to cuss me out if I'm wrong. So, I'm not a electrition in the slightest. My question regards a guitar pedal that was made in Argentina. After testing a 9 volt DC adapter on the pedal, I learned from a friend that the reason the pedal wasn't functioning was because the +'s/-'s were off. The diagram on the adapter looked like this- ( - )--(o--(+). And the one on the guitar pedal was the opposite- (+)--(o--( - ). After testing the adapter I'm worried that the pedal is fried. The problem is that I can't test a good adapter at the moment because I am awaiting a new adapter in the mail. If all of this makes any sense (I really apologize if it doesn't), then here are my questions.-

1. Do you think that I did damage to my pedal?

2. Is it easy to fix any damage I may have caused or is the damage practically eriversable.

3. Am I asking a super technical questions in a really general way and should just leave this forum and never come back. (Probably)

I would really appreciate any answers or comments. Even if you can't answer everything. Im also very willing to learn about electronics so don't hesitate to drop a novel on the subject if need be. My last comment is that I am sorry for any potential misuse of these forums. I hope it's not just for aspiring electricians, but also for idiots like me. Thanks in advance for literally any sort of reply.

 

[Martaine2005]

Hi John,
1. probably
2. probably
3. No.....
That's a real shame about the pedal. And yes, reversed the polarity is correct..
If you are lucky, no damage was done. IF the unit has reverse polarity protection!
If it doesn't it could be a disaster or a simple fix!
Can you post some pictures of the insides, nice close ups and clear?
You didn't really need to purchase a new adaptor, you could have cut the end off and replaced it reversed!.

Martin

 

[Martaine2005]

 

[davenn]

Martin .... why have you got the wires reversed ?????



ohhh OK LOL

 

[Martaine2005]

Hehe Dave,
A pinch, punch, first day of the month joke!!
It might work! I have never tried

Message to OP....That was a joke too.....

Happy new year guys....

Martin

 

[brevor]

I have worked on a lot of guitar pedals, most have reverse polarity protection.
so there is a good chance it will be OK.

 

[John-Allan]

Hope so! Thanks for the reply, brevor!

 

[(*steve*)]

Yeah, my reply would have been "don't panic until after you've tried it with the correct polarity".

 

[John-Allan]

Can you post some pictures of the insides, nice close ups and clear?
Martin

Here's the back of the circuit board. I'm not sure how to show you the rest.

 

[John-Allan]

2. probably
Martin

Hey, Martaine. Just wanted to clarify. Is that a probably to the "easy fix" or to the "eriversable damage"?

 

[davenn]

Hey, Martaine. Just wanted to clarify. Is that a probably to the "easy fix" or to the "eriversable damage"?

without knowing the exact inside circuitry, it is impossible to confirm one way or the other
D1 may or may not be a reverse voltage protection diode

 

[John-Allan]

Thanks for the help, everyone. I'll update this thread when I get a chance to test the pedal with the correct polarity.(Probably Sunday.) I know that Martaine suggested to reverse the polarity on the adapter that I already own, but I already ordered a new one and don't want to accidentally do anything worse to the pedal than I already have. Again, thanks for the help!

 

[CDRIVE]

Yes, I've ranted about th(-)s practice before. It is so damn counter intuitive that th(+)s should be made international LAW!

By the way John, they actually make coaxial inline adapters to reverse this obnoxious practice. No cutting, wire swapping and soldering required.

Chris

 

[CDRIVE]

Well finding this Polarity Converter was harder than I thought. As usual it's all in the search terms.
Another one Polarity Converter (Free Shipping)

Chris

 

[CDRIVE]

Ha! The more I search the cheaper they're getting. Here's yet another Polarity Converter ($1.99) shipping. If I'm lucky I'll find one from China. That one will have free shipping and they'll pay me to ship it!

Chris

 

[Martaine2005]

Hey, Martaine. Just wanted to clarify. Is that a probably to the "easy fix" or to the "eriversable damage"?

Yes, as in probably easy to fix.. Even the IC's are in sockets too...Result..
Is your unit the "pixel"? There really should be protection on it.
However, Spanish!! 'cat black', car red', 'the woman pretty'.....Who knows.
Looks like the centre of the board is your DC in and two outside are in/out. There seems to be a mosfet and a diode there. So might have more protection than needed...Which will be very nice..
I was also going to suggest a DC/DC reverse polarity lead as @CDRIVE suggested but the DC jacks come in various sizes too HERE.
Uncle Chris has a love hate relationship with DC jacks that are centre negative.. He loves to hate them!!
You could have "seriously" cut the jack off and reversed it thoigh!!

Martin

 

[John-Allan]

Is your unit the "pixel"?

Yes, by dedalo: http://www.dedalofx.com.ar/pixel

 

[Martaine2005]

Yes.

Ok, wait for the new adaptor and plug it in....It should fuzz and shine like new....

Martin

 

[John-Allan]

By the way John, they actually make coaxial inline adapters to reverse this obnoxious practice. No cutting, wire swapping and soldering required.

I probably would have gone with this, but the adapter I ordered is already a day away. Thanks, Chris.

 

[John-Allan]

Ok, wait for the new adaptor and plug it in....It should fuzz and shine like new....

I hope!!! By the way, I was wondering if you found pictures of the circuitry online and thats why you were able to narrow down your answer to my second question. If so, did you find out for sure whether or not it has reverse polarity protection?