How do you build a Remote Box for a True-Bypass Looper???

[aksman]

So I'm finding that I could use a True Bypass Loop with a Remote Box.  I'd like it to work without needing power, but the ability to have an LED would be nice too, and I'd like the remote to run on 1 cable... I've made a TON of bypass boxes, but have never tried this before. 

How do you do it???


For a sample, Analogman made some (check almost all the way at the bottom of this page):  http://www.analogman.com/switchbox/index.htm

Here's one of his:

[aksman]

Ideally, I'd like it to have a remote stompbox, and a flip-switch on/off on the unit itself.

[R.G.]

So I'm finding that I could use a True Bypass Loop with a Remote Box.  I'd like it to work without needing power, but the ability to have an LED would be nice too, and I'd like the remote to run on 1 cable... I've made a TON of bypass boxes, but have never tried this before.
How do you do it???

Well, let's look at your requirements.
(a) needs no power
(b) has an LED
(c) runs on one cable.

Any LED has to have electrical power, so if there is no power in the remote box, the LED must be powered from the cable.
If the cable must be a standard two conductor, then the LED must be in series and light when current passes through the cable. That means that the main box must turn on when current flows through the remote box, and off when it does not.

The simplest thing is to use a low-current relay in the main box, and let the remote box only carry the relay coil current plus the LED current. In reality, it is quite difficult to get a relay and an LED to use the same current, so you usually have to pass the relay current through the remote box, and parallel the LED with a resistor to let the relay have more current than goes through the LED.

You can do much the same thing by using the LED current to turn on a transistor in the loop box and have that transistor run relays, solid state switches, etc.

[aksman]

Ok, is that what's going on in Analogman's?

Let's just forget the LED part, and I'll just put an led in the remote box run on a separate part of the switch and powered by ac jack into the remote box iteslf.


NOW, how do you build a Remote Box true bypass???

[Valoosj]

how about powering the led with a battery? Leds barely use power, so you wouldn't have to replace it that often

[analogmike]

The remote box shown does use a battery for the led. will still work with dead battery so not a problem.

[Stu Diddly]

I have built something like this.  I use mine for a different purpose though.  I love relays and I'm used to using them.  PM me on the specifics of what you're wanting to build.