Machsupport Forum
Mach Discussion => General Mach Discussion => Topic started by: advall on May 08, 2019, 06:38:10 PM
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I have 2 CNC machines running on Win XP each sing a Gecko G 540 interface on Mach 3 on a common computer using 2 printer cards
Both have run without problems for several years.
Now both have same issue - when I jog one motor all motors move!
The Mach 3 configuration of both machines appear to be unchanged
I have re-installed Mach 3 and re-installed the printer card drivers but the problem continues.
Any help is much appreciated.
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I would replace both the parallel port cards and new parallel port cables.
Since Gecko G540 runs at high voltage, it is very likely that both the buffer chips in both the parallel port cards could be FRIED and shorted.
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In the meantime I established that the printer ports actually derived from a dual card so as both machines had same problem (ie all motors turning when one motor was jogged ) the printer card may be the issue.
I installed two new printer cards but now I just cannot get the motors to jog using either card no matter what I do even reducing the Mach 3 configuration to the bare minimum. The old card continues to activate all motors when one key is pressed.
The Gecko G 540 stepper is in its normal state showing no fault condition and the motors are locked ie full torque and the Diag screen looks normal.
Both machines have worked perfectly for many years so the motor wiring and printer leads etc are totally serviceable.
Attached is my config file.
Regards Paul Hinson
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in your XML the port adress for port#1 is set to B907.
is this realy the right adress? have you checked in Windows System config?
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Yes - I know it looks odd - I thought so too. But that was what Device manager provided under the resource tab.
Thanks for your input.
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is the new Printer Card 3.3V or 5V Version?
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I have no idea. But it is fairy new. How can I tell?
Just to confirm - I re-checked the card in Device Manager and can confirm its address is B907 at LPT3.
Thanks
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can you do a test like here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uglCm_qsojk
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I have no idea. But it is fairy new. How can I tell?
This may help you decide;
https://www.machsupport.com/forum/index.php?topic=34848.0
Tweakie.
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PIN 16 must be configured for "CHARGE PUMP" output or Gecko G540 will not enable the drives.
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Reuelt has made a good point - you need to enable the Charge Pump (Config / Ports & Pins / Outputs) if you have your G540 Charge Pump turned on.
Tweakie.
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ISSUE SOLVED
I have solved the Mach 3 issue having checked the pin voltages and determined the dual printer card I have used for several years was faulty as was one other and also a new express card was only 3.3 volts.
I located an old XP computer with a on board parallel port and all works normally.
I thank all the contributors who helped to solve the issue. Thank you.
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Excellent. ;)