WEEKLY MIC MORSEL: BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED...

Often it's the simplest thing, the smallest detail that can throw a stick in your spokes.

Nothing can bring a halt to your signal chain with more abject frustration than the absence of POWER, AC or DC. At a recent performance I discovered I had a pedal with a reasonably fresh battery that had spent considerable time on the pedalboard with its input cable engaged. Thus, a DEAD 9V! And while it seems I'm always carrying extra AC extensions and multi-outlet boxes, I'd used my last spare battery in another component...
TIP #1: Disengage all cables from battery-operated gear when not actually in-use.
TIP #2: Carry spare batteries. Multiples if needed.
Tip #3: When you change batteries, mark the date on the replacement for easy reference and monitoring.
SEIZE THE POWER -AND HOLD ON...