Wee Davy Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I was recently away from home for a week and foolishly left my guitar on its stand and plugged in. It was therefore connected to my amp although that was not switched on. Question, is there a drain on the Baggs Element battery under these circumstances or would the amp need to be switched on to complete the circuit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fortyearspickn Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 If the amp was off, there would be nothing to draw juice for. If it were on, and an old tube amp - I'd be worried about a drain. I STAND CORRECTED. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buc McMaster Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 The switch for these active onboard systems is in the guitars' output jack: if a cord is plugged in the circuitry is ON and the battery is being used. Hurrah for passive systems! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djw171 Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Yep, your battery will be drained after a week. or at least a lot lower than it should be. Makes no difference what the other end of the lead is plugged into. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leonard McCoy Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 The LR Baggs Element is an active preamp fitted entirely into an endpin tube. As Buc says, the preamp is enabled, draining the 9V battery, whenever a cord is plugged into the 1/4" output jack. Never leave your guitar plugged in if you're not playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Davy Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Thanks guys, that's what I thought. It's by no means a new battery so I was surprised it still worked at all. Time for a replacement. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blindboygrunt Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 Pants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wee Davy Posted June 5, 2017 Author Share Posted June 5, 2017 Pants Dead on! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capmaster Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I ... left my guitar ... plugged in. Is there a drain on the Baggs Element ...? Yes, there is a drain. All modern active guitar circuits are class A designs, meaning they always draw the same current value when switched on, for instance by the jack switch, regardless of signal level or load. This is how class A works and offers maximum fidelity, in particular lowest distortion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58 Relic Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 1496676227[/url]' post='1860121']Thanks guys, that's what I thought. It's by no means a new battery so I was surprised it still worked at all. Time for a replacement. I have the same uncertainty, LR Baggs state 1,000 hours on a fully charged ( new ) battery . I would love to purchase a meter that could be plugged into a jack plug to measure the charge of the battery inside the guitar ( do they make one ??? ) I change the battery on my J45 Standard every six months , used or not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinder Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 I have the same uncertainty, LR Baggs state 1,000 hours on a fully charged ( new ) battery . I would love to purchase a meter that could be plugged into a jack plug to measure the charge of the battery inside the guitar ( do they make one ??? ) I change the battery on my J45 Standard every six months , used or not This is sound advice. When I'm on Tech duty I change my artists' batteries in Baggs equipped guitars (mag or Element) every 3 months to err on the safe side, and mine every 6 months. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duluthdan Posted June 5, 2017 Share Posted June 5, 2017 http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/keith-mcmillen-instruments-batt-o-meter-battery-tester You're welcome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuestionMark Posted June 6, 2017 Share Posted June 6, 2017 I only 2 months ago learned that keeping the plug in these things as well as in battery powered foot pedals drains their battery. Finally read a directions booklet after all these years. QM aka Jazzman Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokerkid Posted April 8, 2022 Share Posted April 8, 2022 I have a 1994 Gibson Blues King Electro. It has the Accu-voice preamp, with XLR and 1/4 inch jack. So far I only use the 1/4" output. If I unplug the 1/4" from the guitar but leave the red power button pushed in, the battery will go dead. Is there a problem or is it by design? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 On 6/5/2017 at 8:02 AM, Buc McMaster said: The switch for these active onboard systems is in the guitars' output jack: if a cord is plugged in the circuitry is ON and the battery is being used. Hurrah for passive systems! Exactly, Buc, that's how i understand it. At a gig, i don't plug a guitar cable in until I'm ready to start playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murph Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 Practically an archive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissouriPicker Posted April 9, 2022 Share Posted April 9, 2022 On 6/5/2017 at 5:37 PM, duluthdan said: http://www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/keith-mcmillen-instruments-batt-o-meter-battery-tester You're welcome. Valuable piece of equipment. No guessing about battery strength. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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