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Topic: SMS FreeLoader power on/off |
Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2020 9:31 am |
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I realized that I failed to include this in the documentation, and it has some people confused.
The way we turn ON/OFF the battery in the FreeLoader is by plugging/unplugging the top input jack. The bottom plug(s) can remain plugged IN.
Some ask why I don't add a power switch. I have a few reasons, but here are a couple. A toggle switch can get damaged and/or go bad. A toggle switch is hard to see across the room if we ever want to glance over and see if our FreeLoader is turned on or off. With a plug, it's easy to see, a no brainier. Also, the way an input jack powers on/off the device is a VERY ROBUST form of a power switch that can't go bad or break. It uses the ground sleeve of our guitar plug to complete the circuit and power on the battery.
So we do it that way for extra long life, reliability, robustness, ruggedness, and clear visibility as to whether it's powered ON or OFF.
Enjoy!!
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 15 Aug 2020 10:21 am
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I was planning on adding a switch to my Freeloader. Then I stopped and considered that I was essentially building a weak spot into an otherwise bulletproof unit.
Nah. |
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Carl Williams
From:
Oklahoma
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Posted 15 Aug 2020 4:49 pm
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| Thanks for the heads up Brad...Carl |
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George Kimery
From:
Limestone, TN, USA
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Posted 15 Aug 2020 8:24 pm SMS Freeloader on/off switch
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| Thanks for posting this. I have one coming that is in the mail so this is good, timely information. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 16 Aug 2020 2:13 am
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Probably true for many. OTOH I installed an on/off (miniature) switch in my Goodrich MatchBro at least 20 years ago and still works perfectly.
_________________
GFI Ultra Keyless S-10 with pad (Black of course) TB202 amp, Hilton VP, Steelers Choice sidekick seat, SIT Strings
Cakewalk by Bandlab and Studio One V4.6 pro DAWs, MOTU Ultralite MK5 recording interface unit |
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 16 Aug 2020 5:52 am
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Jack,
I did the same thing, no problems. 
Erv |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 16 Aug 2020 12:37 pm
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I have had mine connected since I received it several months ag and I checked the battery today and it still above eight volts.
At what voltage will it begin indicate a battery renewal ? |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 19 Aug 2020 6:04 am
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Hey Billy.
It's a rough science, but my math suggests that a good alkaline 9v battery should hold the FreeLoader at an optimal voltage (near 9v) for about 500 hours or so, but it's still a good circuit down to 7v or maybe even below that. It's very efficient. I haven't tested it's minimum voltage yet.
Enjoy!
Brad |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 19 Aug 2020 6:16 am
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Even the battery hardware is superior, with solid, fixed connectors instead of the soft connection pod on a string that I always seem to yank off circuit boards.
Several times I have opened the unit to test the battery (because I always worry about a low battery at a gig) and every time, the battery reads as fresh as a daisy, even after leaving it plugged in overnight a few times. This thing just refuses to eat batteries. |
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Billy Murdoch
From:
Glasgow, Scotland, U.K.
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Posted 19 Aug 2020 7:18 am
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I have had several of Brad's creations over the years and every one has been tremendous. I still use My V8 all the time.
Quality and service is outstanding. |
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