pickupwinder Posted December 28, 2023 Share Posted December 28, 2023 After looking at prices of second hand XPS A/B boxes for the original series of Variaxes I decided they were crazy and I'd just make my own. I don't need the DI function of the Line 6 box so this is just a solution to power the guitar via a stereo (TRS) guitar lead. To make it as cheap as possible it had to use a cheap switched "wall wart" power supply. Typically these produce a lot of noise when used with guitar fx boxes so I looked for low price board that could screen out the noise and reduce the voltage to 7.2v (the working voltage for Variax phantom power). I chose the XL4016E1 DC 4-40V to DC 1.25-36V 8A Buck Converter. These sell for about £6 if you shop around. I figure everyone has a spare DC power supply kicking about so it just needs to be under 35 volts (9-15v preferred) and 1500mA output or higher (1000mA may work, haven't tested one). There is a pot on the power board to reduce the output voltage to around 7.2 volts. To keep costs down I 3d printed the box and the design is here - https://www.tinkercad.com/things/5zqgYFxLBRM-variax-xps-box. Enable supports which are only needed for the DC socket hole. You can buy a suitable size project enclosure box and drill it out yourself. The ventilation is probably only needed for power supplies that are over 15 volts but best to make a couple of holes to allow airflow. Parts - the power board (it is supplied with supports which can be glued into the box). a box a mono and a stereo 1/4" socket (I used 2 stereo sockets which were cheaper to buy on ebay) a socket to match your DC power supply. The 3D printed box has a hole for an 1!mm barrel type. some wire. optional - 4 pickguard screws for 3d printed box. Pictures and schematic below. Tested 100% working without noise on a Variax 600. Definitely not advised for use with any of the later, standard, JTV or Shuriken models. Just to be 100% safe, plug in the power supply after the guitar leads. I've forgotten to do this a couple of times and nothing bad happened but you never know. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Line6Tony Posted December 29, 2023 Share Posted December 29, 2023 Nice work! As with anything else, this device/design is not officially endorsed or tested by YGG/Line 6, use at your own risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted June 10, 2024 Share Posted June 10, 2024 I have used a similar power module in my XPS Mini replacement, but bear in mind that the Line 6 XPS contains circuitry that prevents the 7 volt power being applied until it detects that the tip of the plug is in position; I'd second your recommendation never to power on until the TRS cable is in place at both ends. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khalm Posted July 18, 2024 Share Posted July 18, 2024 My xps failed (i thought) so I wanted to build a new one. I did today, but I'm getting the same problem! The problem is that I plug in, the guitar works and after a few seconds, it cuts out and I get a rhythmic buzzing sound (like "zzz-zzz-zzz"). My voltage regulator has a display showing the output voltage. It shows 7.2v when it idles and when I plug in the guitar and the problem starts, it shows "0000" on the display, blinking. Any thoughts? Im giving the box 9v in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 18, 2024 Share Posted July 18, 2024 If it's buzzing like that, it is more than likely a grounding issue somewhere inside. Best to contact the nearest Line 6 authorized service center in your area. Don't try to self repair it, leave it to those who have experience with the product. https://line6.com/find/service_center/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khalm Posted July 18, 2024 Share Posted July 18, 2024 On 7/18/2024 at 11:34 PM, psarkissian said: If it's buzzing like that, it is more than likely a grounding issue somewhere inside. Best to contact the nearest Line 6 authorized service center in your area. Don't try to self repair it, leave it to those who have experience with the product. https://line6.com/find/service_center/ I find it weird that it works for a few seconds though. Makes me think the xps was never the problem, but rather the guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
psarkissian Posted July 18, 2024 Share Posted July 18, 2024 Or a combination of both. The 500 Electric is an older product (came out around 2003). Solder points and other connection may be getting a bit intermittent by now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick_S Posted July 21, 2024 Share Posted July 21, 2024 On 7/18/2024 at 10:14 PM, Khalm said: My xps failed (i thought) so I wanted to build a new one. I did today, but I'm getting the same problem! The problem is that I plug in, the guitar works and after a few seconds, it cuts out and I get a rhythmic buzzing sound (like "zzz-zzz-zzz"). Does it work OK with battery? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andydawe Posted October 18, 2024 Share Posted October 18, 2024 I was looking for a way to be able to just plug in and practice without having to set up my HD500 pedalboard. Thanks for providing this solution. This is a fun project and works nicely with my Variax 700 EXCEPT I get constant loud hissing like pink noise even when the volume control knob is turned down. Have I missed something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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