Machsupport Forum

Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: engraversoflight on February 04, 2016, 08:45:33 AM

Title: Gecko LED dimming
Post by: engraversoflight on February 04, 2016, 08:45:33 AM
So my machine lost position two days ago during normal routine.  Went to trouble shoot and noticed the LEDs on the Geckos are dimming during jogging.  Got the multimeter to test voltage.  Did several tests, but tested the voltage from the power ground terminal on the gecko (far left) to the terminal right next to it (says 24-80vdc) and got a reading of about 53 volts on all 4 geckos during a normal file run.  Granted, the router was not running during this test, but it seemed to run fine.

I did check out the y motors to see if there was binding, which might result in a higher amp draw to move the motors, but they are fine, no binding.

No idea what would cause a Gecko drive to have LED dimming while jogging.

Ideas?
Title: Re: Gecko LED dimming
Post by: Overloaded on February 05, 2016, 10:23:58 AM
Those loose Geckos might be heating up.
I think they require a sink of sorts.
Looks like they were seated in paste.
The back panel is likely an adequate sink if you reattach them.
Title: Re: Gecko LED dimming
Post by: engraversoflight on February 08, 2016, 07:43:09 AM
Yes, they are normally attached, I just swapped them to see if the problem would follow with the Gecko or remain.  At that point, I realized all Geckos on all axes were dimming.  No idea why.  The machine is 10 years old and have never had a problem with it.
Title: Re: Gecko LED dimming
Post by: zarzul on February 08, 2016, 09:38:10 AM
Very nice looking panel!
One recommendation,  it looks like you may have your power daisy chained from the source. 
It would be best if you ran wires from the source to each Gecko individually, both - and +.
I am not a fan of the slide on connectors on your fuses,  if there is any way to get a bolted/screw connections that is best.
Very nice looking layout!