Power Switch Question

[Joepeggio]

Is it the same to turn on and off Helix with the power switch vs switching the outlet power on and off leaving the switch on?

[PeterHamm]

I think it should be, but I always use the power switch. superstitious I guess.

[cruisinon2]

I'm no electrician, but I can't see why it would matter...there's either juice flowing to the unit, or there isn't. Hell, the POD HD series doesn't even have a damn switch, so your stuck pulling the wall-wart out when you're done, or clicking off the power strip, which is what I do.

[phil_m]

Is it the same to turn on and off Helix with the power switch vs switching the outlet power on and off leaving the switch on?

 

Pretty much the same... I am nearly the certain the switch is a mains switch, meaning it's cutting the 120V, or whatever primary voltage you're using, when it's flipped. So not really any difference. It's not like it's a relay that's initiating some sort of power down sequence. As soon you hit the switch, the Helix just turns off. It's not any different than just turning off a power strip or unplugging it.

[Joepeggio]

Ok thanks, I was just wondering maybe some sort of Resitor/Cap filter circuit ahead of switch that is better to be on prior to applying power to allow caps to charge and get working.

[cruisinon2]

Remember when things were simple?

 

"Is it on?"

 

"Yep."

 

"Ok, then". ;)

[duncann]

"Ok, then". ;)

 

What is this, an episode of Fargo? :lol:

[cruisinon2]

What is this, an episode of Fargo? :lol:

So what now, ya think? ;)

[Verne-Bunsen]

I know this is an oldie, but I had the same question and contacted Line 6 about it; thought it prudent to add their input to this thread for future searchers. They confirmed what was concluded here:

 

"You're good to go using an external switch.  Your proposed set up will not damage the Helix at all.  Have fun!"

[HonestOpinion]

I find the answer to this question interesting - "You can just turn it off". Turning a computer off is definitely not the same as doing a shutdown operation first. Things that have been cached often have to be flushed from memory to the hard drive, applications and services shut down gracefully to avoid corruption, etc.. I suppose in the case of the Helix there is a very robust boot up process and OS, little or no risk to the firmware/software from a hard shutdown, and no need to flush memory as there is no hard drive. It certainly appears that just hitting a power strip to turn off the Helix has no adverse effects. I do it all the time and Line6 appears to have confirmed it is ok.

[DunedinDragon]

I find the answer to this question interesting - "You can just turn it off". Turning a computer off is definitely not the same as doing a shutdown operation first. Things that have been cached often have to be flushed from memory to the hard drive, applications and services shut down gracefully to avoid corruption, etc.. I suppose in the case of the Helix there is a very robust boot up process, little or no risk to the firmware/software from a hard shutdown, and no need to flush memory as there is no hard drive. It certainly appears that just hitting a power strip to turn off the Helix has no adverse effects. I do it all the time and Line6 appears to have confirmed it is ok.

 

That's the difference between a computer and a real-time device.  No hard drive.  Memory is pure linear memory so no fancy caching to simulate more memory than what's there.  That being said, I'm still one of those superstitious types that can't help go through my sequence of shutting off power.  At least if I forget to go through my sequence, I won't get all panic stricken.

[jbuhajla]

I leave my Helix and powered monitors on, but switch on/off power at my UPS. It won't hurt anything, even if you switch on/off a power strip to the Helix.