I recieved all my stuff from camtronics today. 320's and 600oz servo kit.
While wiring everything up, I noticed a few things that confused me.
First, the +5 from pc. From what I've read so far, this is for 'return communication' from the gecko's. To the software? I'm not sure how/where to get the 5v from, as per the kit, it is wired to recieve it from somewhere outside the case (I installed mine in an old pc case rather than the case he offers). Could someone help me out with understanding this?
B: there are 470uf 63v resistors included in the kit. But the instructions say "for higher powered operation......cap must be installed" as though they may not be needed. The gecko docs says to use them "if an external power supply is used for the encoder". I'm not using an exteral power supply. And what would be considered 'higher powered operation'? If they are to be used, do I wire them in the same connectors as the ground and +16-80v? Or would I have to go from the ground and 16-80v to the cap then to the geckos?
III: I have 4 wires running to the encoders. enc-, enc+, phase a and phase b. But the encoders have a 5 pin connector. The pins on the encoder are labeled ground, index, ch. a, +5v and ch. b. I've figured out that enc- should go to the ground. Phase a to ch.a. Phase b to ch. b. But what about my enc +. Does it go to the index or +5v. My best guess would be to the +5v. But is the other pin (index) just not used?
And last but not least......I don't have a breakout board for the 25pin connector. So can I just wire the step and dir. wires directly to a 25 pin connector from radio shack? Are those the only 6 wires needed (no limit or home switches yet).
I really wish I understood all of this. I kind of feel like a gimp asking what probably are simple questions.