This is a kind of DC-to-DC converter that uses capacitors to store energy in order to create either a lower or higher voltage power source. They’re simple circuits, but are capable of very high efficiencies, up to 95%. Charge pumps are often used to double, triple, or halve voltages. Specifically in guitar stompboxes, charge pumps are used to take a 9V input and double the voltage internally so that the pedal can run on 18V, resulting in higher headroom.
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