What is the Advantage and Disadvantage of Pedal Switch Supplier

In this article, we will explore pedal power supply technologies in more detail. To understand their differences, how they work, and the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. And if you want to know which power supply is the most adapted to your board, we also made this other article to guide you!

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the 9v battery

The battery was the first solution to power pedals that need a small current draw. We find them in a lot of pedals. And except its quick discharge, it has all the advantages of a good power supply. With batteries, we’ve got a nice isolated power supply for each pedal, no ground loop that could pick up external interferences, a perfectly continuous voltage, no 50/60 cycle coming from the mains that could radiate close to the pedals… The perfect solution in noise terms!

Some manufacturers like Danelectro even had fun making battery-powered power supply units. It seems not useful at first, but it allows you to have a board that doesn’t move. Avoiding to snatch and open the pedals to change the batteries, or unplug the cables to save batteries when you’re not playing. While avoiding the noise problems of power supplies connected to the mains!

power supply in the pedal

To avoid the use of batteries, some manufacturers have chosen to power their pedals directly from the wall plug. At that age, effect pedals were much more voluminous. And we didn’t see many huge pedalboards with dozens of pedals either. As a result, the pedals of this era also integrated all the power electronics. All you had was a cable coming out of the pedal, to be connected directly to the mains socket.

The problem with powering the pedal from the mains is that it requires additional electronics. We have to convert the high AC voltage from the mains into a lower DC voltage to power the pedal. But this avoids having a discharged battery, and creates other voltages than the usual 9V, to bring more headroom and keep a better dynamic along the chain of effects.

Finally, with the miniaturisation of the components, the power supply circuit was taken out of the pedal, including all the electronics directly in the plug housing. That’s how we have power supplies like the 1 Spot today. And at least, if the power section is broken you only need to replace it by a 1 Spot which is way less expensive than having to replace the whole pedal.

from the mains plug to the effect pedal

Let’s get into the theory. We are going to see step by step how to go from the mains 230V AC (or 110V AC) to a few volts DC to create a simple power supply.

the transformer

This is the first step! It will lower the voltage coming from the mains. The mains is an alternating voltage, i.e. it varies and reverses periodically over time, oscillating 50/60 times per second (the famous 50/60 cycle).

The transformer is an iron ring, around which the input and output are coiled up. The voltage that goes into the first coil, which is connected directly to the mains, will create a magnetic field that circulates through the iron ring. On the other side, the opposite effect will occur: the magnetic field passing through the second coil will generate a voltage at its terminals.

The magnetic field only occurs when the voltage changes, so a transformer only works with alternating voltage. If both coils are identical, then the output voltage will be exactly the same. But by adjusting the number of turns of the coils, you can lower the voltage!

the rectifier

We’ve lowered the voltage, now we’ll have to make it continuous! We do this in several stages, and the first one is rectification. By using diodes that only let the signal flow in one direction, we obtain a voltage that will be always positive, by rectifying the negative portions of the signal.

filtering

Then we apply filtering, to approach a DC signal as close as possible. We can use a simple capacitor, which will store and restore charges, or much more complex and efficient filtering.

the voltage regulator

Finally, a regulator is used to obtain a perfectly smooth voltage. It is a component that will lower and maintain a constant output voltage, evacuating the excess in heat. Nevermind the current draw the device asks to the system!

We finally have a perfectly continuous voltage! In the end, we have converted the mains voltage in 4 steps to be able to power a pedal.

multiple power supply units

We have seen how to create a power supply to power a pedal. But if you want to power several of them, you can choose between several technologies.

the daisy chain

The simplest solution is to connect all the pedals in parallel to the power supply output. This works very well for 3 or 4 analog pedals, but you will quickly get noise problems if you use more of them, or if you have digital pedals.

With a daisy chain, there is no isolation between the pedals. Digital pedals can generate slight perturbations on their power supply. And these perturbations will be transmitted to the other pedals connected to the same daisy chain.

In addition, there are loops on the ground and the 9V between each pedal. Each loop acts as an antenna, so electrical devices near to the pedals can generate perturbations that will be picked up and transformed into noise.

Finally, as the voltage regulator cannot supply very high currents either, the number of pedals can be quickly limited.

the fx power source: the pseudo-isolated power supply

The FX Power Source works on the same principle, but with filter stages and a voltage regulator for each output stage.

Having a regulator on each output will isolate them from each other on the 9V. This avoids the noise problems associated with a digital pedal that generates perturbations. In addition, the AC/DC conversion is done in an external housing. This avoids having the audible 50/60 cycle of the mains, responsible of the ” hum ” noise, passing close to the pedals.

We also remove the loops on the 9V, but we still have a ground loop between the pedals. And we still have limited currents on each output because of the regulator, even if it is sufficient for the majority of the pedals. With up to 200mA by output, this power supply can supply properly up to 90% of the pedals from the market.

the cioks: galvanic isolation

The solution to completely isolate each output and avoid ground loops: put a transformer on each output! This is what Cioks does on most of their power supply units.

But as mentioned, a transformer needs an alternating voltage to work. So we’re going to have 50/60cycle running through the power supply, which can interfere with the outputs by electromagnetic radiation. And there is still a current limitation on the outputs.

This solution is necessary if you have positive ground pedals which cannot work with the common ground.

the K+: the switched-mode power supply

We come to the last solution, and the one we decided to integrate into the K+, the switched power supply! Instead of the regulator, we are going to use a switching technology, which will cut and leave the signal pass at a very high frequency (several dozen of kHz so that it is not audible). This will create a high frequency square wave signal.

Then, by controlling the ratio between the time the signal passes and the time it doesn’t, we can vary the output voltage. Which will be filtered again to convert it again to constant voltage.

The advantage of this technology is that it allows to lower and keep stable the voltage simply by controlling the switching. No heat dissipation like the regulator, and that’s how we can offer up to 1A at the output!

For more information, please visit Pedal Switch Supplier.

As with the FX Power Source, the whole 50/60 cycle section of the mains supply is converted in an external housing to prevent interference. There is therefore no interference inside the K+ unit. The outputs are also isolated on the 9V thanks to the switching chips. But a common ground is conserved which doesn’t create a lot of noise even in very complexe systems. A very intense attention has been paid to the filtering of any 50/60 cycle and its harmonics to avoid any noise inside your devices.

conclusion

We have seen the different technologies, and the advantages/disadvantages they have.
None of them are perfect, but they each have their own utility according to the kind of board you want to build.

Which Bike Cleats and Pedals Are Right for You?

Any serious cyclist would tell you that their cleats and pedals are critical components of their cycling setup. For today's cyclists, modern “clipless” pedals have made it possible to get pedaling much more quickly and efficiently.

Despite their importance, few cyclists have given their specific pedals of choice much thought.

“It’s surprisingly infrequent that people switch from one variety of pedals to another,” says longtime cycling Coach Darryl MacKenzie. “This is largely because they have little knowledge of the advantages and disadvantages of each.”

In fact, the different types of bike pedals and cleats have distinct features that should appeal to different types of cyclists. Which one you choose can make a big difference in your cycling journey. The cycling experts at Selle Anatomica explain the pros and cons of different cleats and pedals. Read on to learn which type of bike pedal is right for you.

What Are ‘Clipless’ Bike Pedals?

Before we dig into specific types, let’s clear up a potentially confusing term. The phrase “clipless pedals” is a strange one, given that you are actually clipping your cleats in and out of the pedals. 

Clipless Pedals Explained

This term is based on the fact that these pedals are a departure from the original pro cycling pedal, which had a strap — or toe clip — around the front part of the pedal that you could “clip” into. Unlike those pedals, clipless pedals have no extra straps extending from them. You fasten a cleat to the bottom of your shoe, and the cleat attaches to the clip on the bike.

These modern pedals, which have been around for roughly half a century, make it much easier to click your shoe right in and out of your pedal. But they’re not all the same. Coach Darryl usually sees one of three types of clipless pedals, and we’ll look at them each in turn.

SPD Clipless Pedals

These are the classic clipless pedals, and most cyclists are familiar with them. They’re designed by Shimano, and the SPD stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamics. They're extremely popular among mountain bikers, but many road cyclists use them, too. They’re flat and wide, sort of football-shaped, with a clip at the front center of the pedal.

There are several pros and cons of different cleats and pedals. 

Advantages

SPD pedals have several benefits:

• You can clip in on either side of the pedal. This makes it easy to clip in quickly because you don’t have to make sure the pedal is facing the right way.
• The shoes are flexible. They bend at the ball of the foot, making them easier to walk in when you get off the bike. This makes them great for extended cycling tours, where you spend a lot of time on your feet.
• You rarely need replacement parts for these, as they’re usually made from brass, which seldom breaks.
• They’re great for mountain biking because of the flexible shoes.
• Cycling SPD pedals are the cheapest of the three main options.

Disadvantages

These benefits come with some notable downsides, however: 

• There is a small footprint for the cleat that attaches to your shoe. This puts more pressure on one specific part of your foot and causes discomfort on long rides with uninterrupted pedaling.
• The flexible shoes exacerbate this discomfort. Unlike the firmer shoes for other pedals, which spread out the pressure across your sole, these focus it right where your foot meets the pedal.
• They’re less efficient. Again, the flexible shoe causes issues. Some of your pedaling power is dissipated. This can slow you down and tire you out.

The Bottom Line on SPD Pedals

SPD pedals are great for mountain bikers and road riders that aren’t pedaling as far in a single go. They work well for bike tours, also, thanks to frequent stops to rest your feet. They fall short for the serious distance cyclist, though.

The Look Variety of Clipless Pedals

These were some of the original clipless pedals, designed by a company — Look — that created clips for ski bindings and applied that knowledge to bike pedal technology. Many others have since created pedals in the same style. Both the cycling pedals and cleats are triangular — wide at the back of the foot and narrower toward the toe.

Advantages

The pros of Look pedals include:

• Replacement parts are easy to find and inexpensive. Because the original patent expired and so many companies make these, it’s easy to find what you need.
• It’s rare to have problems with the pedal part, which is strong and sturdy.
• The shoes are stiff from heel to toe, optimizing power transfer to the pedal and minimizing discomfort at the point of contact between foot and pedal.
• Look cycling pedals are relatively inexpensive, though a bit pricier than SPD pedals.

Disadvantages

As for cons, there are a few to consider:

• Because there are so many manufacturers, parts are not necessarily interchangeable.
• You can only clip in on one side of the pedal. This is the biggest disadvantage and means there is a three-step process to clip in. Coach Darryl frequently notices that riders with these pedals are the slowest to get going after a stop.
• The cleat component will wear down easily. It’s made of plastic and known to break. Darryl almost fell off the bike once when his broke off his shoe mid-stroke.
• The firm shoes have a cleat with no padding (unlike the Speedplay, which we’ll look at next). This makes them noisy and liable to slip when you’re walking.

The Bottom Line on Look Pedals

Because they’re set up for distance but inexpensive, these pedals are ideal for the entry-level cyclist. They’re also great if you ride in areas without a lot of stopping, since the lag in clipping back in is less of an issue there. If you ride in busy areas with a lot of traffic lights, though, you’ll quickly tire of the Look variety.

Speedplay Clipless Pedals

These are the newest of the three varieties we’re looking at. They were developed in San Diego, where Darryl lives, in the early s. These small, disc-shaped pedals are immensely popular among professional cyclists, so much so that many of the cycling teams at major events like the Tour de France use them.

Advantages

Speedplay pedals have some significant advantages:

• You can clip in on both sides. Like the SPD pedals, they’re incredibly easy to clip into quickly.
• The stiff shoes have cleats that are equipped with walkable rubber covers. This gives them a big advantage over the Look variety, as you can walk into a coffee shop quietly and not risk slipping on the floor.
• The shoes are incredibly light. “When I switched over to these, on the first ride it felt like I had no shoes on,” says Darryl.
• Many cyclists consider the pedals the most attractive on the bike.

Disadvantages

Like the others, Speedplay pedals do have some downsides:

• The company was bought out in . It then moved all of its manufacturing overseas and dropped its formerly stellar product support. It may be too early to tell just what the impact will be, but as Darryl puts it, “the future is murky.”
• There have typically been several models of Speedplay pedals, and they’re not cross-compatible. Recent changes may be improving this, but it’s too early to tell with new releases on the market.
• The Zero model is particularly difficult for clipping in, and Darryl doesn’t recommend it for people under 160 pounds.
• They’re easily the most expensive of the three options.

The Bottom Line on Speedplay Pedals

Speedplays are great road pedals. They’re convenient and easy to use, and they work well for distance rides or extended tours. They make the ideal choice for an experienced cyclist who puts a high premium on having the best equipment. However, they are the most expensive choice, and recent changes to the company raise some questions. 

Which Pedal Is Right for You?

As you can see, there’s no one right pedal for every cyclist. Each has its pros and cons, and the choice largely comes down to your cycling preferences and your pocketbook. For what it’s worth, Coach Darryl notes that the few cyclists who do make changes usually move down this list in order. And those who end up with Speedplays rarely switch back.

What’s your pedal and cleat of choice? Let us know in the comments below.

To learn more about the pros and cons of different cleats and pedals, contact our team. 

Here at Selle Anatomica, we want to ensure every ride is enjoyable and your best one yet. One of our secrets to success is our leather bike saddles. Explore our website today!

Look for more insights from Coach Darryl over at his website.

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