Zoom Gear & Home Recording Forum

My electrical adapter for the PS-04 is loose and even though it is plugged in the device still runs on batteries. I was recording the other night with the adapter plugged in and just as I was about to hit a note that's never ever been played before, the dang thing read "Batteries Low," and the system closed down.

I always keep batteries in the PS, and I actually stopped using the adapter any more until recently for this exact problem. I figured it's easier to just use the batteries rather than pay for a new adapter that might not work any way. But I'm finding that I could buy a vacation home at the shore with all the money I've spent on batteries for that thing.

Any solutions besides buy a new one?

Is it the power adapter, or the plug inside the PS 04?

If the side contact on the plug in the inside of the PS 04 has somehow been bent a little back so it no longer makes a tight contact with the side of the plug on the AC adapter, that could do it. If the plug is actually loose in the socket, that could be the problem. The fix is to get in there somehow and bend the side contact back in a little, until the plug is tight in the socket again.

If you have a short in the power cord, you can just replace the whole thing at Radio Shack for $20.00

DCM

Thanks DC. I'll investigate further. I have several adapters lying around. Maybe another one will fit? Maybe I'll try it and blow all the circuits.

Remember the PS04 has some odd power requirements. I had to buy a radio shack model that allowed you to select different options and I did/do have trouble keeping the AC adapter plugged in. it can be done with care but it does come out relatively easily.

I've never had an adapter for mine. After I ran through my first set of Duracells, I bought myself two sets of re-chargeable batteries. 2100mAh. Nowadays you can even get 2300 mAh. They seem to last as long as the Duracells. If I know I'm going to sit for a few hours I always plunk in the freshly charged set, and the ones coming out of the PS-04 go directly into the charger. Works fine for me.

Thanks everyone. I'm glad to hear that others have the same problems (not that I'm glad you are having problems, but I'm glad my PS isn't defective in some way).

re-chargeable batteries. Excellent idea, crakkenmyer. That would certainly solve that problem.

Okay, mystery solved. I got home and checked it out and the plug inside wiggles like a loose tooth. (Insert smiling icon with front tooth missing.)

Recharable batteries looks like the solution.

John...

Hey, I don't know if you're a member of Sams... but if you are... they've
got a complete set (8 AA & 4 AAA) of Energizer E2 Rechageables. They
are perfect for the PS-04. We use them all the time (except when we're
plugged-in) because the power cord can get in the way of our creativity
by limiting our movement!

Anyway... the charger comes with it and it was just $10, which is a good
price for around my part of the world. The eight AA are 2500mAh
(Note: the higher the mAh, the longer the battery lasts between charges)
and they keep us in all the portablepower we ever need. We take this
thing a lot of places so it gets a lot of use.

There's just got to be a Sam's Club in Lord B's town!



[PS: Almost forgot to mention that the 4-AAA's are only 900mAh.]

TT2 - We have Sam's Club. But isn't it for members only. There is a Walmart right next to it though. Maybe they have it. In fact, the Sam's Club I'm talking about is in probably the best location of any in the nation. It's south of downtown with a view of the skyline, harbor, and off in the distance one can see the huge flag at Ft. McHenry flying (the place the U. S. National Anthem was written). Very pretty. I think they are moving them out so they can build waterfront condos though.

You do have to be a member, but sometimes they will give you a guest pass. You can shop but they add some % to the total. You might want to check into it. Our local Walmart does not carry the exact package I described above... but I'm sure you can get something there as well.

There certainly is a lot of cool history in your neck of the woods! I hope those condos don't destroy the historical locations, or ruin the view of others.

John... one of the guys here at the station wants me to mention the following:
While we were picking up supplies at Sam's the other day... I spent about
5 minutes playing around with a pretty cool Yamaha keyboard they had on display.
I forget the model number, but it was $198. It did a lot of cool stuff, but I
didn't have a manual to look at so... I was unable to get it to do what I wanted.

It was kind of funny, because there was a young mom with her 1+ year old
daughter nearby. As I played... the girl (old enough to walk & talk) started
moving (in time with the sound )! So I tried to 'fancy-up' the music and
pick-up the tempo. She really started dancing. When I stopped, she tugged
on my leg... looked up at me and said something I couldn't understand. Her
mom told me she wanted me to keep playing, so I did for a few more
minutes. I was pressed for time, so I showed the mom how to play all of
the different demo songs. When I began to leave, the little kid gave my
leg a hug, said 'tangku', bye-bye and waved.

It made me feel like I had done my good deed for the morning. Then
when I got over to the rest of my fellow firefighters, they were bustin' on
me! Oh well..... it was kinda fun!

Two good posts TT2.

Hey... I try!

I just hope you can get some good, long lasting, rechargeables at a good price.

TT2 - I saw a nice AA rechargable battery contraption at the super market. It was $19.99. I had it in the chart but put it back. I have enough regular batteries to get me through a few weeks so I thought I might as well see if I can't get one cheaper. But at least I know where I can go if emergency strikes.

Speaking of Baltimore....

Do you happen to remember the fire engine video clip you posted a link to on YouTube?

What thread was that? Do you happen to remember?

The reason I'm asking is: I'm working on recording a song with my dog
and I could use a segment of that audio! I recall how much she
sang to it when I played it. I thought it was about a week ago that you
posted it, but I just have not found the post yet!

It was an engine making a run onto I-95 (I think).
I've searched YT... but come up empty.

TT2 -

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rXYmZBM26E

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A BIG thanks!