9 volt DC jack newbie question

[sturdywrist]

tried to google it but couldn't find an answer...

I got a 9 volt DC jack but I don't know which is the ground, positive, negative.  tip, sleeve, ring ?

thanks!

[R.G.]

For DC jacks with a center pin, there are three lugs you solder wires to. One of them connects to the center pin of the plug, and the other two have a normally closed switch between them. You hook your ground reference wire (usually negative for negative-ground pedals) to that lug, and the battery grounding wire (again, negative for negative ground pedals) to that same lug.

When you slide the plug in, one of the two remaining lugs becomes disconnected from the outside barrel of the plug. This is the battery lead that will be switched out when the plug is inserted. The non-ground battery lead (positive/red for normal negative ground pedals) hooks there. The power wire to the effect board connects to the remaining lug.

The way it works is that on most pedals, battery + is power, - is ground. The external DC connects the center pin to ground through the center lug.
The battery + is connected through the normally closed switch in the jack when there is no DC plug inserted. When the plug is inserted, the batter + is disconnected, and the DC plug outer barrel is connected to the + power to the effect board, disconnecting the battery.

Use an ohmmeter to do your probing of what connects to what. Getting used to doing this will mean that you can forever figure out what connects to what in the future.

[RDV]

When ever you have a question about something like this, consult the DIY FAQ link above you. It's there. See the Beginner Forum also, a ton of useful info there also.



RDV