I can't help with the original problem but I can say that using rechargeables @7.2V is not a problem at all - more or less the first thing the battery power hits on the mainboard, is a DC to DC converter (a MAX887 IC), which converts/regulates the voltage to 5V - so therefore, so long as you have more than 5V out of your battery - so long as they're providing sufficient current (& 2800mAH AAs will be plenty!), then you're fine.

"Don't know about that,"

Well I do know about that - & by bringing the E-bow into the discussion, you're now comparing apples with oranges.

An E-bow uses PP3s - & rechargable PP3s are faily limited in their current delivery at just 200maH .....vs 550maH for a PP3 Alkaline (& the Ebow is a relatively current hungry device - so no surprise your results weren't satisfactory).

6 x 2800mAh AAs are  a different kettle of fish - that's a decent amount of current delivery ability - an the MAX887 DC-DC converter doesn't really care whether it receives 9V or 7.2V (in fact 7.2V is preferable as it'll have to disspate less heat), it'll output 5V just the same ... & it's at 5V that the Variax power rail runs at.

Incidentally, whether the Variax sources it's power from the batteries, the RJ45 or the 1/4" jack connection - it all gets converted to 5V (albeit the way it converts each of those sources to 5V is handled differently), so like I say, so long as the current delivery is up to it (& 6 x 2800maH AA batteries is), then the battery voltage not being 9V plus matters not one iota.

But hey, don't take my word for it, take the manafacturer's (extract from the MAX887 datasheet)...

http://www.maxim-ic.com/quick_view2.cfm/qv_pk/1538

The MAX887 high-efficiency, step-down DC-DC converter provides an adjustable output from 1.25V to 10.5V. It accepts inputs from 3.5V to 11V and delivers 600mA. Operation to 100% duty cycle minimizes dropout voltage (300mV typ at 500mA).

Well if you want to be a smarmy prat about it fine. i can't see a problem with the guy trying it - eliminating all the variables is the key to finding the problem.

Sorry, but i have yet to see a rechargable that lasts as long as a regular battery. Are you saying that a rechargeable delivers 7.2V for the whole of its charge? i would say that powering the Variax would be quite hungry and by the end of a long gig it might not be getting full current.

That was sort of my point - i find rechargables' efficiency dubious at best - i would never stand in front of an audience armed with rechargables. Best bet is to just use the power supply, which should be tried anyway to see if this changes anything. If the problem still occurs then it's one less variable.

This is now really straying off  - & I really don't want to start gettinging into a thread discussing Voltage vs Current - but believe me, +5V is what your Variax rail runs at (there's also a +3.3V, 1.8V & a -5V kicking about inside your Variax too ...but they're derived from the 5V supply rail anyway)...& I agree with you all - I would not stand up in front of an audience purely on rechargeables either ...but that wasn't the argument!

Hello,

This sounds like more of a software glitch than anything. Have you tried reinstalling the firmware on your Variax through Line 6 Monkey?

Line6Miller