Just got a 12v powersupply- question about amperage

[MikeH]

I just bought a 12v power supply to run my valvecaster and some other 12v pedals- however I just noticed the package says it puts out 1500ma.  Isn't that about triple what you would want for stompboxes?  Is 1500 ma too much?

[frequencycentral]

It depends what you want to run from it - I'm considering something similar because of my ever expanding collection of power hungry tube pedals.

To me, 1500ma futureproofs you. 

[MikeH]

I guess I don't really understand how amperage applies to stompboxes. 

[earthtonesaudio]

Most stompboxes only require a little current, from a few microamps for some fuzzes up to a couple hundred milliamps for digital pedals and stuff.  If your power supply can provide more, it doesn't hurt anything.  The stompbox only uses what it needs. 

The only reason it would be "too much" is that a higher-wattage supply is usually bigger and heavier.

[kurtlives]

Having a power supply that can supply more current then the pedal needs is great.

Having a power supply that can'y supply enough current then the pedal needs is very bad.

[petemoore]

Having a power supply that can supply more current then the pedal needs is great.
  Stick with this approach and have no problems, the circuit will draw what it draws.
  Why talk mcuh about the various problems associated with current supply inadequacies [burnt WW, circuit that doesn work right...], because, invariably you'll need to get a PS with adequate current capability.

[MikeH]

Thanks guys.  It's all good then.

[ClinchFX]

Having a power supply that can supply more current then the pedal needs is great.

That's fine if the power supply is regulated, but if a 12V 1500mA supply is unregulated and you're only using a few milliamps, the voltage may be as high as 18V instead of 12V.

Peter.

[DimebuGG]

But...

There's an instance when I used to power my CE-2 or the MXR-EF with  transformers rated at 500mA and 100mA. All 9V output(the Ultra Clean PS from GGG). And I could notice a big difference of the sound of the chorus or the filter. With the 500mA tran, the effect is less prounounced(even the filter doesn't seem to "wah" normally, it's just this brittle, mid-ranged sound) in comparison with the 100mA one.

I also tried it to the Ultra Flanger and still same things happened using 500mA.