Making Boss Pedals True Bypass

[IAmAScientist]

Ok, I've searched for info about making pedals true bypass and have checked out Geo's page here:
http://www.geofex.com/Article_Folders/bypass/bypass.htm

While this is semi-helpful, in that it explains the ins and outs of what is going on, it doesn't do much in the way of solid, step by step instruction as to what to do to make Boss pedals true bypass.  Now, two questions come to mind.  1) Do you need to have a true bypass indicator LED?  Can a pedal be true bypass just when its not engaged, as opposed to having to hit a second stomp switch to disengage it manually?  2) Are there any instructions as to how to make a pedal true bypass, including actual parts recommended and board schematics?  Thanks for anything you've got. 

[cd]

Ok, I've searched for info about making pedals true bypass

Not very hard though, right?

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=26758.0

[no one ever]

Ok, I've searched for info about making pedals true bypass

Not very hard though, right?

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=26758.0

cd, did you run that relay off of the boss' battery/adapter? or...

[cd]

Ok, I've searched for info about making pedals true bypass

Not very hard though, right?

http://www.diystompboxes.com/smfforum/index.php?topic=26758.0

cd, did you run that relay off of the boss' battery/adapter? or...

I rarely use a battery for powering my FX, but the relay ran off the battery.  The relay is a latching type so it doesn't require a constant current (battery draining) to maintain its state.  You hit it with a short pulse, it switches and holds, hit it with another pulse, it goes to the other state.  It's all explained far better than I can on geofex.com in the Latching Relay article (which should be linked in the link I posted above).

I mentioned it before but I'll mention it again, unless you have previous experience with relays, solid debugging skills, and can pick apart the pieces of a circuit WITHOUT a schematic you're probably better off building an external true bypass box for your BOSS/DOD/Ibanez/etc. pedals.  Unless you really want a learning experience, of course.  The relay is slick but there's so many things to go wrong or just not work for no reason.