Machsupport Forum

Third party software and hardware support forums. => Third party software and hardware support forums. => Topic started by: dragonfinder1 on August 05, 2009, 09:27:09 PM

Title: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 05, 2009, 09:27:09 PM: I've read through all the gecko g540 posts I could find in the search. I can't get the motors to run in jog mode. They warm up and seem to be locked, but won't budge. I have them wired like gecko says to, I have the resistor in place, the charge pump has been disabled on the g540 board and in mach. I checked the pins and step and direction seem to be right. Port is set to 1. The limits and home switches have been disabled. Both the motors and mach have been set to inch. I'm using using the gecko xml file. The parallel port is set to epp.

I've been been working several days and I know it's just a simple setting I'm missing. I just can't find it.

HELP

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chaoticone on August 05, 2009, 09:33:47 PM: Dave, when you try to jog do the dros change readings? Is jog enabled?

Brett
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 05, 2009, 09:40:15 PM: Yes the DRO's work fine. They say the motors are moving, but they're not.

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 06, 2009, 08:42:45 PM: I thought maybe if I posted my xml file some one could have a look at it.

Looks like I can't do that, maybe I have to have a certain number of posts first.

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: bladerunner on August 06, 2009, 09:03:58 PM: Greetings matey

I had a few problems like yours.. the cure for me was to purchase the full version and all my worries went away it works like a charm..well except for the dodgy GRIFFINPOWERMATE!
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 06, 2009, 09:20:21 PM: If I knew that was the cure, I'd do it in a heart beat. I'm going to do it anyway, it would just make me feel better about it if I could get it to work with the demo software.

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chaoticone on August 07, 2009, 08:45:53 AM: You can post your xml but you will have to rename it.

Brett
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: RICH on August 07, 2009, 09:10:20 AM: Post your XML.
What version of MACH are you trying to use?
Are you using a break out board?
Did you check to see that a signal is comming out of the PP?

RICH
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 07, 2009, 10:35:37 AM: The version of MACH is 3.042.029
I have a Gecko G540, no BOB
How would I check power from the PP? Pin 2 to gwn?

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: RICH on August 07, 2009, 11:14:38 AM: Will look at the info on the G540 later today and then look at your XML.
Probably something stupid!

RICH
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 07, 2009, 10:04:28 PM: On the diagnostics page, on the left side of the page, there is a column of led's with Ref x, Ref y and so on to Ref c. All of those led are red.
Also on the right center in the Port 1 Pins current state, only the 4,5,6,7and 8 led's are green. No other led's are lit.

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chip on August 10, 2009, 11:58:52 AM: Hi, Dave

Sent you a PM message, Hears a pic with the info.

Chip
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 10, 2009, 12:18:00 PM: I have it. I hope this helps. Also I have a copy of mach v.020 I'm going to try.

Thanks

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 11, 2009, 01:04:53 PM: Well I tried a different computer, the only thing that changed is that I have more port pins on the dia. page light up. Blended spd. is working, but the motors still don't move at all, the dro's move just the motors don't.

I went back and loaded the unmolested g540b xml form Gecko. Nothing.

I'll try almost anything at this point.

Anybody!

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chip on August 11, 2009, 03:05:35 PM: Hi, Dave

On the Diagnostics page do you have a Pulse Frequency showing.

Try this xml file below, I think I got all your settings correct and enabled Sherline 1/2 step mode also.

Chip
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 11, 2009, 09:07:24 PM: Thanks Chip

I installed the printer port monitor and ran mach again and used your xml file. The printer port monitor says that everything should be working, but it still is not.

I checked continuity pin to pin on the parallel cable and only found 1 pin that was connected on both ends. So I got my trusty printer cable and all the pins had continuity through out. I guess I need an adapter from female printer ( 32 or 36 pin ) to db25 male. I live about 100 miles form Fry's, but as luck would have it, I'm going right by there tomorrow. I'll see what I can come up with.

Thanks again

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chip on August 11, 2009, 10:43:06 PM: Hi, Dave

Sounds like you have a 25 pin serial cable, What you need is a straight through printer "extender" cable, 1-1, 2-2, 3-3 ...25-25, Some cables omit some of the 18 - 25 Gnd. wires, But this shouldn't be a Issue, Gecko is probably smart enough to have them all tied together in there box.

Thy come in two versions, 25 pin M / F and F / F connector's, The F / F you'll need a gender changer M / M adapter.

Chip
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 14, 2009, 06:41:07 PM: Many thanks to you guys

I have the motors turning now ;D ;D ;D

Now all I have to do is read the manual and see where to make the direction of the slave "A" motor turn opposite of the "X" motor. I can change the direction of the motors but haven't been able to "slave" them yet.

Thanks

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: dragonfinder1 on August 14, 2009, 09:48:58 PM: I found it.

I loaded the roadrunner file and everything works like it should.

Thanks for the help.

Dave
Title: Re: I searched the forums and still can't get the motors to turn
Post by: Chip on August 14, 2009, 10:16:33 PM: Hi, Dave

We can almost hear it running hear.

Chip