Power Soak made out of a toaster ?

Richman1 · 10-31-2009, 09:03 AM

If you were to take a two slice toaster and cut the plug off it and then solder a 1/4 inch jack onto the power cord, then measure the Ohms, you will have very close to 16 Ohms with the toaster engaged to make toast. This could be a poor mans power soak. I don't have the balls to try it, but theoreticly it should work. Amp set on 8 Ohm setting..one cab and the modded toaster and crank it up. It would be more like a partial dummy load than a power soak.This will trick the amp into thinking that its running two cabs. I don't recomend trying this, I just want to know why it would or would not work. Again I would never try something like this, nor would I encourage anyone else too either..

Buggs.Crosby · 10-31-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

I don't have the balls to try it

Enough Said!

Procter2812 · 10-31-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

If you were to take a two slice toaster and cut the plug off it and then solder a 1/4 inch jack onto the power cord, then measure the Ohms, you will have very close to 16 Ohms with the toaster engaged to make toast. This could be a poor mans power soak. I don't have the balls to try it, but theoreticly it should work. Amp set on 8 Ohm setting..one cab and the modded toaster and crank it up. It would be more like a partial dummy load than a power soak.This will trick the amp into thinking that its running two cabs. I don't recomend trying this, I just want to know why it would or would not work. Again I would never try something like this...

Paul Gilbert did this when he got his 1987 50 watter.
He said it worked.

Richman1 · 10-31-2009, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Procter2812

Paul Gilbert did this when he got his 1987 50 watter.
He said it worked.

It's funny that you said that because Paul talked about that to me back in 1982 when my band and his band (Giant) played the same clubs in Pgh, Pa. but I never new he ever tried it. He had two 50watt plexi heads back then. Thats interesting,,I wonder if it mudded the sound at all ? Pauls amps were heavily modded back then.

rich24a · 10-31-2009, 10:28 AM

Yeah, Paul says here that he uses the toaster as an attenuator on page 13 of this:

http://www.marshallamps.com/images/m...fs/ml%2010.pdf

PaoloJM · 10-31-2009, 10:47 AM

This will work as described, but how quickly do you think your toaster would burn out if you ran it for a solid two hours gig at a time?
Once it burns up or fails in some other way then you've no load and now your amp becomes toast!!

donkost · 10-31-2009, 10:55 AM

This is a classic... this is the reason I connect to the internet 59 times per day. LOL

Australian · 10-31-2009, 11:19 AM

Why not a Kettle and Toaster on two amps, and make some snacks in the break.

MajorNut1967 · 10-31-2009, 11:33 AM

LOL your are all off your bloody head's! Make some toast & jam I'll bring the Tea. Then we can all wrap aluminum foil around our heads and wait for messages from outer space?

Richman1 · 10-31-2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MajorNut1967

LOL your are all off your bloody head's! Make some toast & jam I'll bring the Tea. Then we can all wrap aluminum foil around our heads and wait for messages from outer space?

What you do is put it on top of your amp and stick two pieces of bread in it, and if you see smoke, you know to hurry and turn your amp off....

***Adwex*** · 10-31-2009, 11:57 AM

I'm not an expert, but the toaster is a resistive load, not inductive. It may work, but it's not the best idea. Like Paolo said, what happens when the toaster's heating element fails and you don't know it.

I'd be curious though to see how bright the heating elements would glow and how much heat would be produced. I'm sure most toasters put out alot more than 100 watts, so even with your amp cranked, I betcha you won't see any glowing at all, and no toast will be made.

PaoloJM · 10-31-2009, 12:49 PM

I'm not sure what's so funny here guys.
Most toaster ovens that I know of use resistive heating elements that are designed to dissipate heat efficiantly. In some ways a toaster may actually be better than a power resistor for the job.
The thing is, as Adwex points out, it is purely resistive and so I'd question the tone you might get and as I'd mentioned earlier it would be unacceptably prone to failure. I'd also agree that with Adwex that the power produced by an amp wouldn't even get a toaster glowing, especially when you consider an amp produces musical power ie, not constant.

I'm only joking about not getting what's funny though, it'd be pretty dumb looking alright!!

donkost · 10-31-2009, 01:29 PM

I see the potential to start a new thread on which model of toaster gives the best tone and reliability- a toaster shootout if you will.

At my house we're still using a 1994 GE toaster that was a wedding present. Would I get vintage tone out of a '94 model?

***Adwex*** · 10-31-2009, 02:04 PM

LOL. What if I took my new toaster and replaced the heating element with a NOS part?

***Adwex*** · 10-31-2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkost

I see the potential to start a new thread on which model of toaster gives the best tone and reliability- a toaster shootout if you will.

At my house we're still using a 1994 GE toaster that was a wedding present. Would I get vintage tone out of a '94 model?

Nah, '94 was a bad year for toasters, now if it was a '59..........

PaoloJM · 10-31-2009, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donkost

I see the potential to start a new thread on which model of toaster gives the best tone and reliability- a toaster shootout if you will.

At my house we're still using a 1994 GE toaster that was a wedding present. Would I get vintage tone out of a '94 model?

Pfff, that thing probably has solid state control circuitry. It's valve based toaster controls all the way for me, might even replace the heating element with a NOS GE power valve and cook my toast that way

steelhorse · 10-31-2009, 02:53 PM

I use my amps as toasters

MajorNut1967 · 10-31-2009, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelhorse

I use my amps as toasters

Right Bro,
You could roast a bloody Duck with my baby-major.

MajorNut1967 · 10-31-2009, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richman1

What you do is put it on top of your amp and stick two pieces of bread in it, and if you see smoke, you know to hurry and turn your amp off....

You guys are great fun, carry on!

Wilder Amplification · 10-31-2009, 03:49 PM

X2 on the resistive vs inductive load bit.

Also, a toaster is made to heat up with a 120 volt swing. If the toaster were in fact 16 ohms, the math states that it draws 7.5 amps @ 120VAC RMS, which translates to 900 watts. Obviously your guitar amp cannot produce this. Across a 16 ohm load it will only swing to 40 VAC RMS, so I doubt the toaster would even heat up like you think it would.

MajorNut1967 · 10-31-2009, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilder Amplification

X2 on the resistive vs inductive load bit.

Also, a toaster is made to heat up with a 120 volt swing. If the toaster were in fact 16 ohms, the math states that it draws 7.5 amps @ 120VAC RMS, which translates to 900 watts. Obviously your guitar amp cannot produce this. Across a 16 ohm load it will only swing to 40 VAC RMS, so I doubt the toaster would even heat up like you think it would.

Bloody Smart Alec! LOL GO Jon Go

MartyStrat54 · 10-31-2009, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adwex

I'm not an expert, but the toaster is a resistive load, not inductive. It may work, but it's not the best idea. Like Paolo said, what happens when the toaster's heating element fails and you don't know it.

I'd be curious though to see how bright the heating elements would glow and how much heat would be produced. I'm sure most toasters put out alot more than 100 watts, so even with your amp cranked, I betcha you won't see any glowing at all, and no toast will be made.

If this even works, if it quit then the amp would default its power to the speakers and get louder, or an open would occur and it would go silent. It would all boil down to how it was wired, fused and what gauge of power cord you used.

I would never try something like this. No matter how much I knew about electronics. It makes for a humorous thread though.

V-man · 10-31-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wilder Amplification

X2 on the resistive vs inductive load bit.

Also, a toaster is made to heat up with a 120 volt swing. If the toaster were in fact 16 ohms, the math states that it draws 7.5 amps @ 120VAC RMS, which translates to 900 watts. Obviously your guitar amp cannot produce this. Across a 16 ohm load it will only swing to 40 VAC RMS, so I doubt the toaster would even heat up like you think it would.

I have no idea about the tone properties of the inductive/resistive business or what other problems to consider, but if this was viable or "novelty viable", it seems to me that a toaster oven would be the better unit to work with seeing how the elements are designed to kick on over a longer rate of time as well as adjust for various temperatures.

MartyStrat54 · 10-31-2009, 11:07 PM

It works...it works!!!

I just baked some chocolate chip cookies and played Stairway To Heaven at the same time. Now all I need to figure out is how to get a glass of cold milk?

Let's see, a refrigerator could be wired into the reverb circuit...

MajorNut1967 · 10-31-2009, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MartyStrat54

It works...it works!!!

Now all I need to figure out is how to get a glass of cold milk?

..

Squeeze my sisters tit!

MartyStrat54 · 10-31-2009, 11:25 PM

...good God...you mean it comes out cold? What does she look like? I'm available.

Wilder Amplification · 11-01-2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V-man

I have no idea about the tone properties of the inductive/resistive business

This part isn't about tone...it's about the type of electrical load imposed on the amp vs the type of load that a transformer coupled amplifier is designed to work with. A resistive load is non-reactive, i.e. it maintains a constant load value regardless of signal frequency. Valves and output transformers are not designed to work with non-reactive loads. Speakers are an inductive load that is reactive, i.e. its load impedance (i.e. ohms) changes with frequency. This is why you never see any resistive power soaks and why you only see inductive power soaks. It's been proven that non-reactive loads are harmful to valves and output transformers and this is why the resistive/non-reactive type is not around anymore.

10-31-2009, 09:03 AM	#1 (permalink)
Richman1 Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 62	Power Soak made out of a toaster ? If you were to take a two slice toaster and cut the plug off it and then solder a 1/4 inch jack onto the power cord, then measure the Ohms, you will have very close to 16 Ohms with the toaster engaged to make toast. This could be a poor mans power soak. I don't have the balls to try it, but theoreticly it should work. Amp set on 8 Ohm setting..one cab and the modded toaster and crank it up. It would be more like a partial dummy load than a power soak.This will trick the amp into thinking that its running two cabs. I don't recomend trying this, I just want to know why it would or would not work. Again I would never try something like this, nor would I encourage anyone else too either.. __________________ DSL-50 DSL-50 1960AC 1960BV 1960A 1984 Jackson RR Custom 2006 Les Paul Classic

10-31-2009, 10:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
rich24a Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Sandhurst, UK Posts: 33	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? Yeah, Paul says here that he uses the toaster as an attenuator on page 13 of this: http://www.marshallamps.com/images/m...fs/ml%2010.pdf

10-31-2009, 10:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
PaoloJM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 534	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? This will work as described, but how quickly do you think your toaster would burn out if you ran it for a solid two hours gig at a time? Once it burns up or fails in some other way then you've no load and now your amp becomes toast!! __________________ www.youtube.com/paolojm

10-31-2009, 10:55 AM	#7 (permalink)
donkost Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 64	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? This is a classic... this is the reason I connect to the internet 59 times per day. LOL __________________ 2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab 1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L 1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom 1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special 2008 Gretsch G5120 2008 Ibanez RG2550Z 2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye) Jonesing for a Strat ever since reading "Blackmore tone" thread Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

10-31-2009, 11:19 AM	#8 (permalink)
Australian Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: The Outback Posts: 172	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? Why not a Kettle and Toaster on two amps, and make some snacks in the break. __________________ 410h;410c;205h;RR1959;2203;2205. JCM 900 1960;JCM800 1960;1960AHW; 1960Classic;1960BW; JCM800 1936 v30's;1936 G12T-75'3.

10-31-2009, 11:33 AM	#9 (permalink)
MajorNut1967 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Pacific Posts: 710	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? LOL your are all off your bloody head's! Make some toast & jam I'll bring the Tea. Then we can all wrap aluminum foil around our heads and wait for messages from outer space? __________________ MJN1967 aka BA (Bad Attitude) 1968 model 1987 50watt. A Baby Major (Half-Power) I built from the ground up. JTM 45 Clone combo Ground up build. JCM 800 Clone Ground up build. Custom Built Warmoth Strat 75' Fender Tele-Deluxe '70 style strat custom build w/Custom Shop 69's PU's

10-31-2009, 11:57 AM	#11 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,635	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? I'm not an expert, but the toaster is a resistive load, not inductive. It may work, but it's not the best idea. Like Paolo said, what happens when the toaster's heating element fails and you don't know it. I'd be curious though to see how bright the heating elements would glow and how much heat would be produced. I'm sure most toasters put out alot more than 100 watts, so even with your amp cranked, I betcha you won't see any glowing at all, and no toast will be made. __________________ http://www.youtube.com/MarshallLesPaul

10-31-2009, 12:49 PM	#12 (permalink)
PaoloJM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Cork, Ireland Posts: 534	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? I'm not sure what's so funny here guys. Most toaster ovens that I know of use resistive heating elements that are designed to dissipate heat efficiantly. In some ways a toaster may actually be better than a power resistor for the job. The thing is, as Adwex points out, it is purely resistive and so I'd question the tone you might get and as I'd mentioned earlier it would be unacceptably prone to failure. I'd also agree that with Adwex that the power produced by an amp wouldn't even get a toaster glowing, especially when you consider an amp produces musical power ie, not constant. I'm only joking about not getting what's funny though, it'd be pretty dumb looking alright!! __________________ www.youtube.com/paolojm

10-31-2009, 01:29 PM	#13 (permalink)
donkost Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 64	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? I see the potential to start a new thread on which model of toaster gives the best tone and reliability- a toaster shootout if you will. At my house we're still using a 1994 GE toaster that was a wedding present. Would I get vintage tone out of a '94 model? __________________ 2009 Marshall JCM2000 DSL100 w/MC412A cab 1988 Mesa/Boogie Mark III 60W combo w/EV12L 1988 Gibson Les Paul Custom 1998 Peavey Wolfgang Special 2008 Gretsch G5120 2008 Ibanez RG2550Z 2009 Epiphone Zakk Wylde L.P. (bullseye) Jonesing for a Strat ever since reading "Blackmore tone" thread Pedaltrain PT-Pro w/numerous stomp boxes

10-31-2009, 02:04 PM	#14 (permalink)
*Adwex* Super Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,635	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? LOL. What if I took my new toaster and replaced the heating element with a NOS part? __________________ http://www.youtube.com/MarshallLesPaul

10-31-2009, 02:53 PM	#17 (permalink)
steelhorse Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 3,888	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? I use my amps as toasters __________________ www.ricojronline.com 760-956-6619 Garmopat Pedal Mods "I wouldn't mind hearing your head smash through a glass door. That would be cool..." luekmeyer

10-31-2009, 11:07 PM	#24 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? It works...it works!!! I just baked some chocolate chip cookies and played Stairway To Heaven at the same time. Now all I need to figure out is how to get a glass of cold milk? Let's see, a refrigerator could be wired into the reverb circuit... __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

10-31-2009, 11:25 PM	#26 (permalink)
MartyStrat54 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Formerly Phoenix, now north of KC Posts: 2,583	Re: Power Soak made out of a toaster ? ...good God...you mean it comes out cold? What does she look like? I'm available. __________________ MARTY 2009 Gibson Explorer-Hell Raising Machine 1989 Fender Strat Plus USA 2008 Fender Tele USA 2004 Schecter Elite w/DiMarzio's TSL100 with custom 4x12 cab. TSL122 with Man 'O War Speakers. TSL602 #1 with JBL D123 Speakers and 602 #2 with Altec 417 Speakers. "Oh so sweet my friends." DSL401 #1 with Red Fang Speaker and 401 #2 with JBL D123 Speaker. Tubes: Let's just say they are NOS that kick ass.

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