Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: Glenn on March 30, 2007, 03:37:28 PM

Title: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Glenn on March 30, 2007, 03:37:28 PM

Hi all,

I got a 5vdc psu to run my gecko 201's, step and direction signals, but unsure where to connect them up at.

I believe the positive goes on the common screw terminal, but, where would I connect the ground contact?

I have had the mach 3 run one axis ok, but the other one on my lathe seems to need motion from the other
 
axis (some weird voltage- sharing happening,maybe) to complete the step-direction circuit before it will move.

I thought the step and direction would run off of the 5vdc coming out of the printer port, but I just can't make this happen! :-[

Any suggestions would really improve the current situation I'm in!

Thanks,

Glenn

P.S.  I'm using a 35vdc psu unit to run 2 steppers..seems like plenty of power on that end of the issue.

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Brian Barker on March 30, 2007, 04:44:52 PM

what do you have for a breakout board?

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Glenn on March 30, 2007, 10:07:34 PM

Hi Brian,

I use a cnc DB25 breakout board for stepper motor drivers.

It uses only the first 17 pins as normal and the 18th pin is ground. By the way,

should I be using that ground pin?..It is unused right now.

I only use pins:  2+3+7(step,direction,common) x axis

                       4+5+8(step, direction,common)z axis

Thanks,

Glenn

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: klmark on March 31, 2007, 09:52:49 AM

5 volt dc ground should be connected to the PC ground had some problems lattle got help from gecko at is what day told me and it works

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Glenn on March 31, 2007, 09:58:26 AM

Hey Markkl,

Now I'll show you my ignorance,  ;D could you please tell me where the PC ground is?

I'm being cautious to prevent ANY chance of ruining my components.

Thanks,

Glenn

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: klmark on March 31, 2007, 10:53:01 AM

I used the printer port ground pin and the gecko guy told me I could use the game port to supply the 5 volts to the drivers another ground to the pc take a meter put one end to the 5 volt ground and the other end any were on the PC were you can fasten a ground if your meter reads a dead short that is a good place for the ground

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Glenn on March 31, 2007, 03:18:33 PM

Markkl,

 Thanks for the much needed guidance!
I will attempt these connections and see if she floats!

Cheers!
Glenn

Title: Re: 5vdc power supply
Post by: Glenn on March 31, 2007, 09:28:04 PM

Just a note to let you know that sometimes aren't as they seem..

It wasn't a grounding problem,but rather the breakout board (thanks Brian),the pins all check out with a continuity tester, but still the signals got all twisted before reaching the geckos.

 Now the pinout is: 2+3+7 (step,direction,common) x axis
                    and  16+5+8(step,direction,common) z axis!

It works! I still don't know why, but I am not changing it.

Thanks to all you guys,Markkl,Brian, Hood and Brett!

Glenn :)