Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: gerrymoore on September 17, 2013, 04:19:34 AM

Title: Parallel cable question?
Post by: gerrymoore on September 17, 2013, 04:19:34 AM

Hi all...sorry to ask a question on my first post.   I've been using Mach3 on my homebuilt plasma CNC for a a long time.  I've had lots of issues with one or more axis 'freezing' when the plasma starts up but now I'm in real trouble!!

The plasma 'stuttered' badly the other day and blew my breakout board...the Z axis wouldn't move at all and the X and Y wouldn't reverse...just went the same way when reversed.....suspect a blown hex inverter or something on the BOB.

Got a new BOB yesterday and the motors are now fine again....the on board relay from pin 14 works fine too but I cannot get the limit switch inputs to work at all.  I have tried 3 separate PC's so I know it's not a motherboard problem. 

I suspect the new BOB but the only other thing different is the parallel cable I'm using.  All my previous BOBs have had a female socket so I've used a male to male lead.....this one has a male socket.  I managed to dig out a male to female lead and now I have this input problem.  I have asked for a replacement BOB but can anyone tell me the pinouts for the cable...the one I have is wired one to one, two to two, etc. is this right?

Need to get up and running asap as it's taken me 4 years to get to a point where I'm actually getting paid work for the CNC coming in!!!

Thanks  Gerry

Title: Re: Parallel cable question?
Post by: Tweakie.CNC on September 17, 2013, 08:25:09 AM

Quote

can anyone tell me the pinouts for the cable...the one I have is wired one to one, two to two, etc. is this right?

Gerry,

You are correct it is 1-1, 2-2 etc but check them all, just in case some are crossed or missing.  ;)

Tweakie.

Title: Re: Parallel cable question?
Post by: gerrymoore on September 17, 2013, 08:55:45 AM

Thanks Tweakie.....I did check every pin and they all seemed OK.....it's a new cable anyway......I'm hoping it's the BOB but must admit, modern electronics are reliable and can't see why it would be faulty...fingers xd the new one sorts me out.

Title: Re: Parallel cable question?
Post by: Fastest1 on September 26, 2013, 09:48:13 PM

Are you using an adapter or a complete cable? I had a problem with the metal shell of a DB25 cable touching the case, a plastic adapter solved it. Mine now works but I know there must be a grounding issue. Let sleeping dogs lie.

Title: Re: Parallel cable question?
Post by: gerrymoore on September 27, 2013, 03:27:46 AM

I found out the problem...I hadn't put a 12volt input to the BOB :(  Mind you when I did get it working it promptly blew up again...I have a new, very expensive, plasma cutter on it's way - hopefully this will solve my problems...fingers x'd