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Post subject: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:49 pm
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Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:40 pm
Posts: 5
Hi,

I've just bought a Mustang Mini, and it mostly works great. However, when plugged into the mains with the supplied A/C adapter, there seems to be some current leaking somewhere. Handling the power adapter jack gives small shocks, and when a guitar is plugged into the amp, with the amp plugged into the mains, I get a small flow of electricity when touching metal parts of the guitar. This happens whether the amp is turned on or not.

I've never experienced this problem with any other amp or set-up, so it doesn't seem normal to me. Any idea what the cause of the problem is?

edit: the problem doesn't occur when the mains is switched off (obviously)


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Mon Jul 02, 2012 11:58 pm
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Professional Musician
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Joined: Sun Jun 17, 2012 11:37 am
Posts: 1315
Location: England
Sounds like a faulty power adapter - and potentially dangerously so. I'd suggest taking it back to the shop and ask them to test / exchange it.

I'm guessing the earth/ground wires in the amp and guitar lead are still connected even when the amp is off. So if there's a residual voltage on the ground connection from the power supply, that voltage will make it all the way to your guitar when it's plugged in, regardless of whether the amp is on or off.

Or, maybe it's just that your playing is so amazingly good/fast, that you're generating electrical sparks every time your plectrum hits the strings... :wink:

Or another serious suggestion - there could be a fault with your mains wiring, giving the earth/ground/neutral circuit a voltage. Try connecting the amp to a different socket on a different circuit elsewhere in the house - or if possible in a different house. If other electrical appliances don't have exposed metal conducting parts, you wouldn't have noticed this before. But it's dangerous so should be checked and fixed if faulty.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 8:55 am
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Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:40 pm
Posts: 5
Haha thanks for the reply. I'm getting zapped when I make initial contact with the metal, but the current flow isn't so much that I feel it when in constant contact. I did test it with more than one mains outlet, and my other amp, multi-effects unit and various electrical equipment have never exhibited this kind of behavior.

The unit came supplied with the wrong type of plug so the power cord isn't connected to ground. I've been hunting around for a compatible cord to see if that will fix the problem. It still doesn't seem normal for a single device to be leaking enough current that there's arcing though. It sure doesn't happen with my Zoom G5, which is also ungrounded.

I bought some batteries to test it with. As expected, no problems when on battery power without the adapter connected.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 5:38 pm
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Fender Staff

Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:46 pm
Posts: 860
Hi eldwitch,

Firstly, I would suggest that you do not continue to use the incorrect adapter with the amp. Until you can get a correct adapter, I would suggest that you use batteries. I have included some details about the adapter below. You should be able to locate the "C5" adapter for your area/region in your local electronics store. Please let us know if we can assist further.
______________________________________________

(The Adapter for the Fender Mustang Mini provided for North America and Europe is a “universal” adapter rated for 100V-240V, 50/60Hz, and should be suitable for use in most parts of the world. The adapter requires a detachable “C5” type (aka “Mickey Mouse plug”) cord, which should be commonly available everywhere.)

_________________
Alan Willey
Fender Technology Support Lab
TSL@Fender.com
480.596.7195


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Tue Jul 03, 2012 10:40 pm
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Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:40 pm
Posts: 5
Hi Alan,

Thanks for the response. The adapter itself isn't the wrong model I believe. It's a HonKwang unit with an output rating that matches the information on the back of the Mustang Mini (12v, 0.8A.) The detachable power cord with the C5 head has the wrong type of plug for the wall socket on the other end. I live in Singapore, which uses the UK-style wall sockets, while the amp came with a plug for continental-Europe style wall sockets. As a result, there is no way to ground the adapter/amp - the plug supplied has no ground pin.

Would it really be the lack of grounding that is causing the problem though? I'm using several other similarly rated devices that are ungrounded but yet do not have the same problem. I'm concerned that the adapter itself is somehow defective. I have indeed stopped using it for the moment.

The amp was purchased new from the local distributor/dealer.


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2012 3:52 pm
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Fender Staff

Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:46 pm
Posts: 860
Hi eldwitch,

Thanks for the follow up. I understand that the adapter itself appears to be he correct one. But the cord (C5) is a very important part of the picture as well. The unit is designed to be grounded. And if your wall outlet has a slot for a ground wire, your cord should be the correct one and provide that ground. And yes, the lack of a proper ground when a ground is needed can definitely cause technical and safety issues. I would suggest checking with your local distributor to see if they can supply you with the correct cord. If they cannot, you may want to do a search online for a C5 or 'Mickey Mouse' cord. You should be able to find one easily. They are quite common.

Please let me know if I can assist further. Thanks.

_________________
Alan Willey
Fender Technology Support Lab
TSL@Fender.com
480.596.7195


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 4:48 pm
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Hobbyist
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Joined: Mon Jul 02, 2012 4:40 pm
Posts: 5
Update: I managed to borrow the correct C5 cable and it indeed resolves the problem. Strangely, when I brought the unit for testing at the store I bought it from, the problem did not occur (It did at home afterwards.) As a result, they didn't offer me any solution beyond suggesting that I bring it down to their service centre. In fact, the technician there claimed that using a plug with a ground pin would not solve the problem as the adapter unit 'only has 2 wires' - which was clearly not good advice.

I'll try calling them up and asking for a replacement cable, but I'm not hopeful. I'm still a little concerned that there is some fault with the adapter unit that makes this grounding necessary, but I'm not really willing to pay another $25 for a 3rd party ungrounded adapter to test that theory atm. Is there any chance that the adapter is indeed faulty, and if it is, could it harm the amp if I just use it grounded?

P.S. And thanks for taking the time to reply on the 4th of July!


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Post subject: Re: Mustang Mini leaking current?
Posted: Thu Jul 05, 2012 6:39 pm
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Fender Staff

Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:46 pm
Posts: 860
Hi eldwitch,

I definitely would not recommend using any other power supply and cable other than what is required for the amp and your region. I would suggest a search online for the proper C5 cord like the one you borrowed. Please let us know if we can assist further.

_________________
Alan Willey
Fender Technology Support Lab
TSL@Fender.com
480.596.7195


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