I'm trying to figure out exactly what setup I am going with for my stepper motors, controllers, BOB and psu. I had decided that I want to go with 387 in oz. nema 23's for the x and y and a 640 in oz. nema 34 for the z. Operating voltage on the 23's should be around 64V and about 45V for the 34 assuming that I wire them parallel. I was planning on building a 45V psu and underpower the 23's a little. THEN, I discovered the Gecko 540, a sweet little deal with 4 controllers and a BOB all built in.

BUT, there's a catch, it only accepts up to 3.5 amps and 50V. I'm looking out there and i cannot find an acceptable stepper for the z axis that runs at 3.5 amps or under unless I wire it in series, in which case now my operating voltage goes WAY up to around 95 volts!

Does ANYONE know of a good combo that will work with this sweet little Gecko unit?!

Here are a couple of websites that have some motors that will work well with the G540:

www.kelinginc.net
www.homeshopcnc.com
www.camtronics-cnc.com

If you have any questions you can shoot me an email through our support page at www.geckodrive.com or give us a call at (714) 832-8874 and we can help you out.

Marcus Freimanis

here's a specific link for Keling that you may find helpful.

http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCNEMA23G540Package.html

My research has concluded that the "wise ones" agree.... there is no NEMA 34 motor available that will run optimally with the G540.

I decided that I wanted to go with the G540 anyways, and being able to pick one of their special run over stock units up for $225 sealed the deal for me.

I'm going to run all three axis with Kelings KL23H284-35-4B 387 oz-in NEMA 23s. I figure that I can get the mechanical advantage I need with a drive belt setup and live with a slow z (if indeed it is slow)

Electrical theory is the weekest link in my knowledge base, so having a no brainer hook up with certainty about the compatability of the components made that little G540 the winner for me.

The prospect of farting around for months trying to set up a control cab. was a big turn off.

Thanks for the input, I definitely see where you are coming from, but I have decided I am definitely going with a Nema 34 for the Z. I NEED to make sure I have enough power there. I found a Nema 34 600 in oz. that has an optimal voltage of 70v if wired in series at 3.3 amps. If my understanding is correct, i will still have all the power from the motor because I will be running it at full amperage, but I will just get 69% of the top speed out of it with a 48v psu. Losing a little speed is ok with me, but being underpowered is not.

I AM really interested to find out where you got your gecko for 225 though!

I AM really interested to find out where you got your gecko for 225 though!

There was a posting in the gecko group about an overstock of G540's a few weeks back.
These were the ones going at $225.
Unfortunately, there was a posting today advising that sale has finished as the overstock was all gone.
[I got mine :) ]

Thanks for the input, I definitely see where you are coming from, but I have decided I am definitely going with a Nema 34 for the Z. I NEED to make sure I have enough power there. I found a Nema 34 600 in oz. that has an optimal voltage of 70v if wired in series at 3.3 amps. If my understanding is correct, i will still have all the power from the motor because I will be running it at full amperage, but I will just get 69% of the top speed out of it with a 48v psu. Losing a little speed is ok with me, but being underpowered is not.

I AM really interested to find out where you got your gecko for 225 though!

The Gecko for $225 was a special price for an overstock that were done. All of these units have been sold at the moment, so the deal is no longer available. Sorry :(