edstar1960 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I took my HD500 power supply out of the gig bag today and noticed that it had decided to split apart slightly. I attempted to squeeze both halves together but they just want to spring apart slightly. It's a few years old but has been carefully looked after, but now I am wondering if I should get another one before this one splits apart completely. I may gaffa tape it together in the short term. Has this happened to anyone else? Is it best for me to buy another official Line 6 HD500 power supply or can anyone recommend a sturdier more road worthy alternative? I am based in the UK so would welcome suggestions of what's best to buy here. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bjnette Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 All you need do is match the voltage, amps and polarity and connector. IT is totally possible from a electric parts store. Or just order a replacement, 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rhandy Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Like "bjnette" said, look at back of your pod supply, you should see voltage, amps and polarity (normal is centered). For example, if your power suply have 12 volts and 2,7 amps. You don´t have any problem buy one with more amps, like 12 volts and 3 amps, only don´t buy with less amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel_brown Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 They're on eBay all the time or order another from Line6. I recommend an official Line6 power supply. Be VERY careful that you get the correct power supply for YOUR unit. I have seen on rare occasions that some are AC and some are DC voltages. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 (edited) The Line 6 DC-3g power supply says it's 9V and 3A and the connector has a negative centre. The specs can be found here: http://line6.com/support/page/kb/_/general-faq/power-supply-amp-power-and-battery-faq-r445 Specifically: DC-3g: (POD HD 300/400/500 and HD Bean): 9V DC, 3A (3000mA) Plug length: 15mm, Diameter: 5mm, Center Pin: 2mm. So far, I can't find anyone that has the official power supply in stock in the UK, and I can't find any universal power supplies that provide 3A output. Plenty with 1A and 2.5A but none at 3A. Plus the ones I have seen with the lower output all have centres that are positive and again don't mention the connector size. The Line 6 UK site does have a link to STORE but it doesn't show the Accessory options like the US site. Is there anyone in the UK that has successfully found and bought a good working alternative power supply for the HD500? I don't want to risk getting a cheap copy power supply that may explode or catch fire or toast my HD500. Edited March 17, 2015 by edstar1960 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Wrap some tape around it and it may last forever that way. The Line6 supplies are higher amperage than most wall warts. (3Amp) Pods are power hungry due to the high power DSPs they run on. If you get an underpowered supply, you will have problems with it. If you need a replacement, I would try to find a Line6 unit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 17, 2015 Author Share Posted March 17, 2015 Thanks Charlie_Watt. That was what I was thinking was the best course of action. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joel_brown Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I have actually seen a PODHD Desktop that took a 9v AC power supply, not a DC power supply. I did about 11 double takes when I saw that. It wasn't modified from the factory either. So be careful when ordering a power supply and triple check what you're buying and what you need. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 The older Pods (X3Live and earlier) used AC supplies. I know the 500x uses 9V DC but I have not seen the other HD pods so maybe some are AC. I have two older pods that both use the same AC supply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr_Arkadin Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 All HD Pods are DC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxnew40 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I have yet to find a third party power supply that provides 9V DC at 3 amps. I found many that claimed to be for the HD500 varying from 1.5 to 2.4 amps. I wouldn't risk it. -Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brue58ski Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I have looked and looked to no avail. I can't even find a right angle barrel so it's less easy to step on and break. Line 6, could you do something about that? I mean it's bad enough you picked a powersupply that NO ONE else makes, I can't even get a right angle elbow barrel to help protect it better. Line 6, could you at least find or direct me to one of those? I know, I know...idea scale but I'm mentioning it here too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loser7787 Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Same thing happened to me after moving it so often. I used a little gorilla glue around the base where the cord comes out and around the edges and its been solid since then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Plenty of folks make 9V DC power supplies. The problem is that the Pod HD's need more current than most 9V DC powered units. You can replace the connector if you damage it. The supply itself should be pretty bullet proof. Don't go with a replacement that is not rated for 3 Amps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueViolince Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 Visual Sound has the right angle adapter, you just have to cut and solder the wires in reverse. It's the green plug. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceatl Posted March 17, 2015 Share Posted March 17, 2015 I generally have gone with Medical Grade 9VDC Supplies for pedal boards and such....They generally have a nice wide input range and are well regulated (Better than any OEM supply)... HD being 9VDC makes this pretty simple...I have two supplies at the moment, but I will go with a 4A medical when the time comes... http://www.trcelectronics.com/View/Mean-Well/GSM36B09-P1J.shtml 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mincer Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 In the US, the average price for the stock power supply is $40-$50. This is absurd. It is cheaply made (I am on my second) and I refuse to buy any more. I have never had to replace my power supplies on any other gear, either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 I generally have gone with Medical Grade 9VDC Supplies for pedal boards and such....They generally have a nice wide input range and are well regulated (Better than any OEM supply)... HD being 9VDC makes this pretty simple...I have two supplies at the moment, but I will go with a 4A medical when the time comes... http://www.trcelectronics.com/View/Mean-Well/GSM36B09-P1J.shtml Thanks for the tip - I will see if these are available in the UK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 18, 2015 Author Share Posted March 18, 2015 Thanks for all the replies and helpful advice. The Medical Grade 9VDC supplies look like good alternatives if I can find a UK supplier. Thanks for that tip spaceatl. For now, I have just used tape to hold the power supply together, which will at least stop the thing completely falling apart. And I have found a couple of reputable dealers selling it online for £24 - so I have ordered a new replacement as a backup. I am very disappointed that it has started to fall apart as it has not been heavily used as I only gig occasionally and I am very careful with my gear and especially careful with this power supply as it was obviously so fragile. The POD X3 power supply (although AC) was certainly far more heavy duty and durable. I will look for the suggestion to provide an improved power supply for the HD pods on Ideascale and vote for it. The Line 6 FAQ page does list a couple of VOODOO LABS power supply products as recommended alternatives - so I guess these are used by the professional HD500 users or anyone who gigs very regularly or who needs tour grade equipment - or I guess they use another industrial strength supply. They are out of my price range for now. However - I reviewed the specs of the suggested VOODOO LABS power supplies and neither of them provide 3A output - so I am not sure they will work - but it is odd that they are on the Line 6 FAQ page. Anyone out there using a VOODOO LABS power supply product to power their Line 6 HD 500 or 500X? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxnew40 Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 My Line 6 HD500 power supply case broke in half. I don't even know how it happened. I went to plug it in and found it in two pieces. I used epoxy and glued it back together and it has been working fine ever since. -Max Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brue58ski Posted March 18, 2015 Share Posted March 18, 2015 I generally have gone with Medical Grade 9VDC Supplies for pedal boards and such....They generally have a nice wide input range and are well regulated (Better than any OEM supply)... HD being 9VDC makes this pretty simple...I have two supplies at the moment, but I will go with a 4A medical when the time comes... http://www.trcelectronics.com/View/Mean-Well/GSM36B09-P1J.shtml Thank you VERY much for that information!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gfer1484 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 http://www.sweetwater.com/store/search.php?s=pedal+power+supply Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 I added a suggestion to Ideascale to make the DC-3G a roadworthy tour grade unit. Here is the link: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Make-HD-series-Power-Supply-roadworthy-tour-grade/710134-23508 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I added a suggestion to Ideascale to make the DC-3G a roadworthy tour grade unit. Here is the link: http://line6.ideascale.com/a/dtd/Make-HD-series-Power-Supply-roadworthy-tour-grade/710134-23508 If the cheap ones are $60, the bulletproof version will cost ya $150, lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 19, 2015 Author Share Posted March 19, 2015 If the cheap ones are $60, the bulletproof version will cost ya $150, lol. Doh! :o I didn't think of that! :D :lol: :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceatl Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 So what they heck are you guys doing with your PSUs that is making them split in half? Are you sure this isn't a case of you pi$$ing off a stripper after a gig and she stuck her stilletto thru it while you were too busy talking to her friend that was 10x hotter? :D 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlueViolince Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 That's a little randomly specific, spaceatl... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertbigler Posted March 19, 2015 Share Posted March 19, 2015 I use this 9 volt, 5 amp power supply. It costs $11.52 shipped anywhere in the USA. (You do have to reverse the polarity of the plug.) http://www.ebay.com/itm/381031221792?_trksid=p2059210.m2749.l2649&var=650354067170&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 So what they heck are you guys doing with your PSUs that is making them split in half? Are you sure this isn't a case of you pi$$ing off a stripper after a gig and she stuck her stilletto thru it while you were too busy talking to her friend that was 10x hotter? :D Dude...did we have the exact same Friday night? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 So what they heck are you guys doing with your PSUs that is making them split in half? Are you sure this isn't a case of you pi$$ing off a stripper after a gig and she stuck her stilletto thru it while you were too busy talking to her friend that was 10x hotter? :D :D :D :D :D If only the cause of my PSU breakage was as interesting as your suggestion! You must play at some very interesting venues! :D :D :D :D In my case, the PSU has been very well treated and not excessively gigged, it is a few years old now, but I didn't expect the casing to just come apart. It's clear that it is made in two halves but no idea what holds the two parts together - it may be that they just "click" together - but once they come apart they don't want to "click" back again. The PSU can get fairly warm when used, so maybe the heat causes the plastic to distort over time causing the two halves to come apart. Or maybe some pressure was applied to the gig bag and in turn squeezed the PSU inside causing the two halves to come apart. Who knows? Just guessing at possible causes here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 :D Dude...did we have the exact same Friday night? :D :D :D :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Duct Tape! (Or rubber bands) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smrybacki Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 ANY power supply that physically fits into your POD's power plug and that actually meets THESE specs: Input Voltage Range 100-240V/50-60Hz Output Amps 3000mA Output Voltage 9V Sleeve/Tip Configuration Tip: Negative, Sleeve: PositiveWill work. That is all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brue58ski Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 ANY power supply that physically fits into your POD's power plug and that actually meets THESE specs: Input Voltage Range 100-240V/50-60Hz Output Amps 3000mA Output Voltage 9V Sleeve/Tip Configuration Tip: Negative, Sleeve: Positive Will work. That is all. Those are just VERY hard to find (It's mainly about the amps. 3 amps is hard to find). Fortunately there is one listed on this thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smrybacki Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Those are just VERY hard to find (It's mainly about the amps. 3 amps is hard to find). Fortunately there is one listed on this thread. Well, that is another story altogether lol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spaceatl Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 My comment was a throwback....Too old to venture into such places these days....I have seen some pretty crazy stuff....Back in the late 80s there was a venue I played that had stripper poles on each side of the stage...It was a decadent time...I forget the exact name of the venue but it was in Jacksonville, NC near Camp Lejeune...Live 80s metal with Strippers for our Marines...Those were some pretty wild shows... @edstar1960 - I am wondering if you being in the UK on 240 might be running your PSU near the top of its input range could be contributing to the heat....Only thing I could think of that might be different for you and me...I have been running mine on regulated 120v... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinon2 Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Live 80s metal with Strippers for our Marines...Those were some pretty wild shows... Ahh, memories..,God Bless America!...lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rewolf48 Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 UK is typically 230V and has been for years. My supply also only in the last weeks has started to split between the Plug (adaptor) and the Transformer part when I try to remove it from the socket. I think the design of those Medical Grade ones would be the best - the plug part is local to the region and completely separate from the transformer which is low profile - in fact my laptop power supply would be perfect if it wasn't 19.5V. Had a quick look on some specialist sites for the UK and can't find anything 9v centre negative at 3A... need to look harder I suppose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edstar1960 Posted March 21, 2015 Author Share Posted March 21, 2015 UK is typically 230V and has been for years. My supply also only in the last weeks has started to split between the Plug (adaptor) and the Transformer part when I try to remove it from the socket. I think the design of those Medical Grade ones would be the best - the plug part is local to the region and completely separate from the transformer which is low profile - in fact my laptop power supply would be perfect if it wasn't 19.5V. Had a quick look on some specialist sites for the UK and can't find anything 9v centre negative at 3A... need to look harder I suppose I did find some sites that stock the Medical grade PSU that spaceatl recommended but none of them had prices but they did have contact numbers. They looked like they sell directly to medical companies as opposed to the public but I suppose one phone call will soon confirm that or otherwise. I had already ordered another DC-3G from GAK, so didn't need to pursue the medical grade PSU, but I agree they are a much more durable design with the separate AC power cord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie_Watt Posted March 21, 2015 Share Posted March 21, 2015 Medical grade just means $$. They have to be tested for leakage to ground and other things. You do not need Medical Grade for a Pod. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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