Polarity

[richreynolds]

Hi, I am wondering if it is possible to replace the 1/8 inch power jack on my Proco rat with a standard 2.1mm style and change the effect from positive ground to negative?

[Buzz]

Hi. AFAIK all proco Rat pedals are negative ground.

You can't change that to positive ground.

You can't change a positive ground pedal to negative ground by swapping out the power jack.

This http://www.electrosmash.com/proco-rat will show you how the Rat works.

The problem is that boss style DC jacks ( 2.1mm ) are negative tip. They require the jack to be insulated from the enclosure.

The Proco DC Jack works the other way around, allowing the jack to ground straight to chassis.

The easiest solution is to make an adapter, Female 2.1mm to male 1/8".

Beware the polarity change between the two types.... The tip of the 2.1mm jack should be connected to the sleeve of the 1/8".

[darron]

What he said.



You can change it to a regular 2.1mm DC socket but make sure that it's a plastic one that won't contact the enclosure.

The negative STILL goes to the casing, but is delivered in the centre of the plug with that standard type and positive on the outside so you wouldn't want it to short out to the casing.

Use your meter to check as you go of course.

[richreynolds]

Thank you guys very much. Answered my questions. Very informative link at electrosmash.

[zombiwoof]

Or, just do what I do and buy a couple of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/271465762347?_trksid=p2055120.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT

I have a few for my old MXR, Rat, and similar pedals with 1/8" positive center power jacks, I just leave them in the pedals when I'm not using them.  They hook right up to your Boss-type power supply cables, and you don't have to mod a nice vintage pedal.

Al