Hi. I just bought a Techno 4x4. It is old (1991) and needs some help. The mechanics are ok but the electroics need some work. The comm port 2 is blown and needs replacing. This is on an old 486 computer. I have an old 486 which my brother and I are going to rob for parts to replace the comm port board. Hopefully this will get it working. The software is dos based bob/cad and mastercam on 5.25 floppies. It is no longer supported. The control box is a H 26T55- mac 100 A. I can use it this way but I would like to upgrade it to windows based software. So far I have puchased Bobcad/cam v23, the Bobart modual, nesting modual which comes with the v21 version of Bobcad, and the clip art which is already vectorized. (I got all this before I bought the machine) I plan to get the mack 3 program to get the g code to the control box:confused::confused:. After talking to Mike at Techno support, I was informed that it would cost almost $ 5000.00 to upgrade the electronics to a modern system that could accomadate the software, something about the control box not accepting the code from the computer and the steppers having to be synched to the control box??? The upgrade has new motors, cables, control box, perhaps more. I don't have that kind of money right now. Anyone have any suggestions about modernizing without breaking my bank? Would appreciate any help. ( gecko 540, nema 23 steppers, keling ???) thx in advance
Ted

If you are going to be a Bear--- be a Grizzly!!!

No expert here, but I think you might want to think about a newer pc and talk to the people at Win Cnc. I'm thinkin they might get you going for waaaaaaay less then 5k. Upgraded an older early 90's machine (wasn't a Techno) with their package for considerably less. Machine still performs.

http://www.wincnc.net/

Worth a try, at least for a comparison.

you could try using Galaad to control the router. http://www.galaad.net/home-eng.html they have a demo you could try.

If that does not work you could always replace the controller with a Gecko 540 and a power supply. You could run mach 3 that way.

what size motor bases nema 34? you could try keling for motors, geckos i have used thier 72v power supply with gecko 201's and wincnc for under 2000. but if you went mach 3 you'd be in the 1000-1200 range, i got my third machine today, this one is a 4x4 frame,gantry z head stripped of motors and spindle so i am off to retro fit again, i have wincnc on my other two machines but may try mach this time just to learn more about it

jim

Hey Guys. Thanks for the leads.I will check them all out.
I went to look at the motors and came away with this. They are in an aluminium case 2 3/4" square, 6" long. When I take the cover off( 4 screws on the end) it is black in color with 4 bolts holding it to the base. These numbers/letters are on the top.

Zweiphasen-Schrittmotor 1.8
Art.-Nr.3460

Iw = 2.4 A Rw = 1.0 ohm
wp6 00949
A2537-9212-a1
made in japan

Anyone know what kind of motors these are and will they work off any controller or box? It seems to me that a stepper, is a stepper, is a stepper, notwithstanding ac / dc differences and watts, amps, volts specs for the various power inputs/ outputs and should work off of any controller in its spec range... and not be a proprietorship type of system??

sorry, I didn't measure the distance between the mounting bolt holes. will get the next time. Be easier with a picture, I am going to see about getting a digital camera this weekend, might make things easier.
Will be back in a couple of days as I am going to my brothers house to work on the 486's and yes I do have better, faster computers and a sony laptop.

Jim: the 1000-1200 range sounds good to me

Thx Ted

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!!!

here

http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31604

jim

it looks like you have nema 23 bases on those motors, i have used this equipment on retrofits

http://cgi.ebay.com/CNC-Controller-3-axis-Stepper-Motors-Router-Mill-Plasma_W0QQitemZ160337838682QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_2?hash=item2554e1425a&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12%7C66%3A2%7C39%3A1%7C72%3A570%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A7%7C294%3A50

www.kelinginc.net has the same equipment

http://www.kelinginc.net/CNCNEMA23Package.html

jim

Well the weekend is over.
We took apart the 486s and found that the blown comm port 2 plug was a part of the main motherboard not just an add on board that we could slide out and replace:mad: soooo, Arn (my bro) pulled out an AMD((intel clone) chipped computer. We took the hard drive from the first 486 and put it in, booted up and after putting the serial port hard key( like a usb port chip) it uses to protect the registration/copywrite software, the programs came up on the monitor:cheers:
This means we have a working comm port
This took all day, there was lots of fiddling arround
Arn kept the computers so he can put in the floppy drives , tweek the system and generally make it work without problems
We are now on windows '95 but still using the old dos based programs.
The plan is to hook it all up to the techno and see if it will move through the mac 100 control box this weekend.
I got a digital camera and will take some pictures and as it does video I will try for that also
Getting closer to that magic moment!
I know, this isn't part of the upgrade, sort of, but costs nothing but time.
I want to know that the table works and haven't totally decided which way to go but I am leaning towards the keling system as the system is complete, motors, cables, controlbox, mach3 software.

Jim: I checked out your web page. You do great work!!!

Ted

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!

thanks, like you i bought a used router first and retrofited it, then i bought a new on and now i am on my third. i have truley enjoyed working with the routers and what they produce.

jim

83214

83215
Hi all
Sunday morning and we still haven't got any movement from the Techno Isel but that is not the machines' fault.
Arn upgraded the software to win98 and we now have a memory address problem. Seems that there is not enough memory to load the dos based software or win98 is not recognizing the software or visa-versa. He will figure it out or I will get the new controller system, which I plan to get anyway. We have more time than money right now. If this takes all summer that's ok. I got a digital camera so here are some pics.

Ted

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!

I have retrofitted 8 various size techno esel cnc router. Both the Servo and the stepper types. When you decide that you want to use a good program such as Mach3 and modern drivers contact me at dmauch@camtronics-cnc.com . I can provide a modern solution at a fraction of the techno esel prices.

I am currently building a control unit for the University of Pennsyvania. They are shipping me their motors and cables. I am building a 4 axis control unit for them using the burn out proof G203 drivers in my nice small case and will provide them with a config file for Mach3. Contact me if interested.

83214

83215
Hi all
Sunday morning and we still haven't got any movement from the Techno Isel but that is not the machines' fault.
Arn upgraded the software to win98 and we now have a memory address problem. Seems that there is not enough memory to load the dos based software or win98 is not recognizing the software or visa-versa. He will figure it out or I will get the new controller system, which I plan to get anyway. We have more time than money right now. If this takes all summer that's ok. I got a digital camera so here are some pics.

Ted

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!

Did you try Galaad yet?

Pplug:
No, I haven't. I did check out the web page though. Awesome work in the pictures page! I really want to wait until we get the the router moving before I spend more money on software or try the demos. If you have experience with this program I would like to hear what you think! I see that Techno Isel USA is a reseller.
Thanks for the lead.

Ted

If you are going to be a Bear... be a Grizzly!

Galaad is controller and design software built into 1. It controls my techno davinci in school without any techno software. It is far more reliable than techno's own control software.

Nothing new to report yet. Illness and lack of money is stalling this project. Oh well, gives me time to lurk on other forums.

Cheers Ted

Update
Well we took the new( AMD chipped) computer to the router table and tried it out, not good. It wouldn't work, came up with a no communication message. After trying to program the port to comm 2. it still wouldn't work. WE hooked up the old computer that came with the router but still no go. It seems this computer has been upgraded to a pentium from the 486 system it once was. After fiddeling with it for several hours we gave up for the night.

The next day I found a parallel port board that would fit in the original computer, by taking the box to a place called Memory Express in Edmonton.
When we tried it out we finally got power to the servos and they locked up, so that means a signal from the computer to the control box and a signal from the control box to the servos. The "no communication message" was gone. Progress! On the " jog " mode in the software when we pressed the" move" keys nothing happened. We can change the feed speed rates in the programing, some of the time but not all the time. Nothing else works. :confused: Sticky keys?
Where we stand now is that we think the keboard is hooped or the cable from the computer to the control box is. The old stuff is hard to find. Back to Memory Express.

I now have a new keyboard and a new cable and hope to try them out today.

Pplug. Are you still using Techno's control box? If so what model number? If not which box did you go to? Thanks in advance.

I wish that one of Techno's technitions would view this thread and contribute, after all it's about their products, oh well.

:cheers: Ted

Tried the new cables and keyboard but it still's not working. I keep on getting a "no Communication with control box" message after hitting f2 which should activate the jog program.
Any ideas, anyone?:drowning:
Ted

Hey Ted,
I'm sorry to hear all the problems you are having getting the whole system set up.

I have a Lc4896 in my basement and a Techno davinci at school. The router at home is servo driven with the standard LC control box. The box requires a special PCI card that set me back $400 I should have spent the money on geckos and run mach 3.

The davinci uses the serial port and techno's interface software that I quickly replaced with Galaad/Kay.

I think your best bet would be to buy a Gecko 520 kit with motors and power supply from Keling and stop trying to get the obsolete software and steppers working on the router.

Are you running a dos based OS like windows 95, 98, or DOS?

Pplug:
Thanks for the quick responce. The OS is Win '98, but the software is old bobcad and mastercam dos based, plus the Techno stuff. I have to go to the dos prompt to get it started. Old school! I also have an older Anahiem control box( brand new never used that came with the router ) but when I phoned them they said that model was discontinued and would not run the mack 3 program I eventually will get and have nobody who knows enough about the old stuff to help me out. The cables won't match up anyway and I don't want to spend more money on it when I am going to upgrade every thing else.
I now have bob cad/ cam 23, bob art. the nesting program and bob cad 21 that the nesting program works on.( they don't have a version for 23 yet so they almost gave me the older version to keep me happy, and I am. )
My plan is to get the 540 gecko drives built into a completed control box(I don't want to build my own) and mack 3, new steppers if I have to.
Yes, Keling is where I will get them as everyone on this forum has had good reports about them. I am not cheap but I am not rich and was hoping to get the old stuff working so I could play while I save for the good (modern) stuff.
So far I have only spent about $50.00 and don't plan on spending more to try to get the old stuff going.
So my thinking is along your line of suggestions.
I sure have learned a lot in the last month or so and look forward to getting the router going as I have a thousand ideas for it's use.
:cheers: Ted

i purchased a 1999 model router with the aniheim 1/2 steppers and dos controller a couple of years ago, i was advised an did replace the drives and motors to keling, i went with the wincnc but mach 3 will work just fine, initially i used the keling drivers ( i liked the switching for power ) but have recently switched further to the gecko 201's they are smoother and i would recommend you do this for the same reason i did, " you will eventually have to do this" it was well worth it and now the reliability of that router is the last thing on my mind

jim

Hey Jim
Good to see you are still taking care of me ,Thanks to all of you.:D
Is there a big difference between the gecko 201 drives and the 540, that includes 4 of the 250 drives?
I was hoping to get the completed control box from keling that includes the 540, a power supply. e-stop, on-off switch, all mounted in a box. They have it for sale for a little less than $500.00 US. Doesn't include the stepper motors but I was hoping to use the ones that are currently on the router, they seem to be nema 23's and have d9 connectors. If they don't work then I will buy new steppers. I know nothing about electronics and don't want to blow anything up and have to re-buy for the sake of saving a few bucks. Also I want to keep this as simple as possible.
What do you guys think? Am I on the right track?
:cheers: Ted

the nema 23s on the techno will work do they have a model number, you will need to know what wire is what phase. sounds difficult it isn't!! look for model number we can get specs from that. i am a fan of the 201's and basically because i have a few and they are smooth!! gecko has a forum here on cnc zone and marris (gecko) responds to it, he can tell you better than i call gecko as well they are very helpfull! i have also used keling and john is pretty knowledgable as well

jim

the nema 23s on the techno will work do they have a model number, you will need to know what wire is what phase. sounds difficult it isn't!!

jim

Jim: there are a bunch of numbers off the steppers on post # 5 of this thread. Are one of these the model number? Or do I have to look further?

Ted

yes first it is a 2.4 amp motor i will see if we can find the wiring diagram

Zweiphasen-Schrittmotor 1.8
Art.-Nr.3460

Iw = 2.4 A Rw = 1.0 ohm
wp6 00949
A2537-9212-a1
made in japan

jim

this has been discussed here before,


http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=31604&page=2

do not disconect your existing motors or drivers with out first photographing the wiring

if you can show us the wiring coming out of the motor and the wiring at the driver

we can tell a lot from that

jim

Thanks Jim.
Will take pictures but can't till Monday. Have a good weekend.

:cheers: Ted

here are some pics

86228 outside of the control box

86227inside of the control box to the board

86223wires on top of the stepper

86226inside of the control box

86224top of stepper

86225board on the top of the stepper

This uses 9 pin connectors on the cable from the control box to the motors.

Its pretty cool that you have all of the wiring done for you! It looks like a unipolar motor wired in bipolar. You should take a resistance meter, or a DMM to the wires to find out which wires are paired up to the coils. Once you find out which wires go to the same coil in the motor, you can connect them to a gecko drive or some other drive.

You know how much current they can take so it should be easy to configure the motor controller!

Hi all
Aaahh, Good news.
At the risk of seeming a total nob, I have some questions. Which wires do I test as pairs and what readings am I looking for? What do you mean by unipolar and bipolar? Which is better?
So these steppers can be used with a different control box than the M-100 techno box I now have, means I won't have to buy new motors at lease for now.
On the gecko thread most guys have recommended the 203's for drivers. They are 201's that have been improved and seem to be bullet proof. They will run the nema 23's and can be used to run nema 34's if I have to upgrade. What do you think?
If I get these, it looks like I will have to build a box. Is that hard to do? Perhaps Keling will build me a box with the 203"s. I'll have to call them.

From being a Sholtz ( Hogan's Hero's, "I know nothing") I think I'm begining to catch on a little. Thanks!

:cheers: Ted

You want to test the wires that are paired up in a row on the top of the motors. You are looking for low resistance between pairs of wires. If you have low resistance between two sets of wires that means that they are connected to the same coil. My DMM has a loud high pitched tone when the resistance is below 100 Ohms. I think, and this is a guess, that the resistance would be around 6 Ohms if you have the right pairs of wires. There should be an outrageously large amount of resistance if the paired wires are not connected to the same coil.

Bipolar and unipolar are just two diferent ways stepper motors can be driven. Bipolar, I think, is the better of the two. It produces more torque from the same motor. All gecko drives are bipolar.

I would choose the gecko 540, as it would simplify wiring. It has all of the cool features that the larger geckos have without the cost. Also it is more appropriate for your low current steppers.

With a 540 would be simple. Purchase a seven amp power supply that is just under 50 volts (48 would be perfect) Follow the wiring directions included with the gecko drive. Mount it all on a board or piece of sheet metal. With the 540 I don't think you would need a box!


Hi all
Aaahh, Good news.
At the risk of seeming a total nob, I have some questions. Which wires do I test as pairs and what readings am I looking for? What do you mean by unipolar and bipolar? Which is better?
So these steppers can be used with a different control box than the M-100 techno box I now have, means I won't have to buy new motors at lease for now.
On the gecko thread most guys have recommended the 203's for drivers. They are 201's that have been improved and seem to be bullet proof. They will run the nema 23's and can be used to run nema 34's if I have to upgrade. What do you think?
If I get these, it looks like I will have to build a box. Is that hard to do? Perhaps Keling will build me a box with the 203"s. I'll have to call them.

From being a Sholtz ( Hogan's Hero's, "I know nothing") I think I'm begining to catch on a little. Thanks!

:cheers: Ted

pplug has the right idea, i would have thought that the wiring on the top shaft would have been to a servo, on mine the wires come out of the motor

jim

Bipolar and unipolar are just two diferent ways stepper motors can be driven. Bipolar, I think, is the better of the two. It produces more torque from the same motor. All gecko drives are bipolar.



Yea Bipolar will get the most torque with the smallest package. But he is also using round stepper motors so they arnt as powerful as the square motors.

Its no problem anyway.

Sorry to butt in on your thread Tsooko but I am just curious what are the 3 additional wires for? Are they for limit switches?

what are the 3 additional wires for? Are they for limit switches?

Hey bluy^ray.
Being a newbie I can't tell you the answer, good question, anyone else know?

After scoping out some of the other threads here on the techno machines I am begining to wonder if some of my comm port problems aren't related to a cable problem? Seems that one fellow got a used machine that someone had changed the comm port cable on and got one that was not "straight". After changing to a straight cable his "no communication " went away. Hmmm? The computer I got with the table was at a shop to be repaired, just maybe they changed it. I tried a second cable but perhaps it wasn't "straight" either. I wasn't going to mess with this part of the table any more but cables are only about $8.00. Well back to Memory Express, my computer geek store.

I am putting on a demo for RC model aiplanes this weekend as a part of our fall fair celibrations, so next week.

In the mean time I have decided to go with the gecko 540 drives built into a box by Keling, and may even get new steppers with it, Mach3 control software from Bobcad as they will make sure it will meld with the bobcad23 and bobart software I got from them earlier. Should about do me.

Oh yeah! I took in the bobart webinar they put on yesterday morning... in my opinion they do a great job on these presentations. This one was a little over my head ( preditor editor) but the others I attended were good. You can watch them for free from their website in the support section.

I also ordered the" Cnc Cookbook" from Amazon, the one advertsed here on cnc zone. It explains a little about "g" code and other things a newbie should know. 'nuff for now!

:cheers: Ted

Been a bit of time. The RC plane demo went well. Lots of people went through. We were using the curling rink to fly our indoor planes and a couple of boys I helped to learn to fly brought their planes and flew them all day. Gave me time to go and get some cotton candy....yummm.
I guess that will give you a clue to some of the things I plan to cut with the cnc.

Hey Blue^ray, I got the tech manual from Techno for the m100 and it shows that the three wires are for limit switches. They are wired to pins 5, 8, 9, on the DB9 connector.

These motors are wired in bipolar parallel mode. I also checked to see if the wires in the connector cable were straight, they were/are. Thanks for the manual Techno!! :) So that's it for the old stuff!!! :eek:

Got the money for the 540 Gecko drive so will order it this week. Here are my thoughts on that: The old teckno box has a power supply in it already, so after I check it out I plan to gut the box keeping the on ,off switch, the emergency switch, the power supply, the connectors and of course the box... put in the 540 gecko drive and wire it all up. the techno power supply may only be 24 volts max but the gecko is rated for between 18 and 50 volts so it should work. Any thoughts on that anyone ???(group). Then after I get Mack3 it should work:banana::banana::banana:

Oh yeah! I ordered "The CNC Cookbook" from Amazon, you know the one advertized here on CNC Zone by E Hess,....Worth every cent I spent and time I waited. Aimed at new guys like me, it explains what all the parts of the cnc machine are, in an easy to understand and not too technical way and he even throws in a little humor. I have only read 9 chapters so far and have found it is also geared to the guy who might be looking at building his own machine, recommened by me. Enuff for now.


:cheers: Ted

I have retorfitted 8 or 9 techno systems both stepper and servos. All for use with Mach3 . I haven't read all of the post but techo uses a fairly consistent wiring scheme.
On the DB9
Pin 1 is phase 1A
Pin 2 is phas e 1B
Pin 3 is phase 2A
pin 4 is phase 2B
pin 5 limit switch normally closed
pin 9 is limit switch common

I think the G540 would be fine for your system. I make a nice case machjined for the G540 or the G201 and also for the G203. Check out my web site at www.camtronics-cnc.com look at the stepper components.

To use the existing DB-9 connector you will need to make an adapter if used with the G540. If interested I can provide the pin out for the G540

Dan Mauch

Hi all
Aaahh, Good news.
At the risk of seeming a total nob, I have some questions. Which wires do I test as pairs and what readings am I looking for? What do you mean by unipolar and bipolar? Which is better?
So these steppers can be used with a different control box than the M-100 techno box I now have, means I won't have to buy new motors at lease for now.
On the gecko thread most guys have recommended the 203's for drivers. They are 201's that have been improved and seem to be bullet proof. They will run the nema 23's and can be used to run nema 34's if I have to upgrade. What do you think?
If I get these, it looks like I will have to build a box. Is that hard to do? Perhaps Keling will build me a box with the 203"s. I'll have to call them.

From being a Sholtz ( Hogan's Hero's, "I know nothing") I think I'm begining to catch on a little. Thanks!

:cheers: Ted

Hey Dan:
Nice boxes. I ordered the g 540 from another place before I got your post. Too bad, your price is better by a small amount. Nice website. I'll have to see how things go when I get the gecko. We may yet do some deals. ( I like the scanner)
I am interested in the pin layout.
Your wireing description matches what is in the Techno manual, so I just need to know which motor wire goes to which pin on the Gecko. For now I am going to see if I can use the m-100 box, and I still need to buy the mach3 software. So it will be a little while longer yet. Waiting is a *****.
Thx for your help.

:cheers: Ted

Thats easy take the two wires that are on pin1 of the stepper and connect them to pin 6 of the db9 that goes to the G540.
Pin2 goes to the db9 pin 7 of the gecko
pin 3 goes to the db9 pin 8 of the gecko
pin 4 goes to db9 pin 9 of the gecko
Use the gecko pin 1 and 4 for your current setting resistor.
Pin 2 and 3 are not used on the gecko db9
But you will need to run the Ground on the stepper motor (5) side fro the limit switch and connect that to thepower supply ground. Last connect the limit switch output pin 9 of the techno to terminal 1 of the G540 for the X axis, terminal 2 for the Y axis and terminal 3 for the Z axis
Dan Mauch
www.camtronics-cnc.com
low cost cases for gecko products.


QUOTE=Tsooko;661120]Hey Dan:
Nice boxes. I ordered the g 540 from another place before I got your post. Too bad, your price is better by a small amount. Nice website. I'll have to see how things go when I get the gecko. We may yet do some deals. ( I like the scanner)
I am interested in the pin layout.
Your wireing description matches what is in the Techno manual, so I just need to know which motor wire goes to which pin on the Gecko. For now I am going to see if I can use the m-100 box, and I still need to buy the mach3 software. So it will be a little while longer yet. Waiting is a *****.
Thx for your help.

:cheers: Ted[/QUOTE]

Thanks Dan:
The gecko has been shipped. I'm hoping it will be here by the end of this week as long as it doesn't get hung up in customs. So sooooooon!

:cheers: Ted

A little update: Got mach 3 today and the g540 should be here any day now. It is out of customs. and on it's way :banana::banana::banana:

Dan: What size resisters and what do they do?

Thanks :cheers: Ted

You need the proper resistor to set the current running to the motors from the 540. The instructions from the 540 will explain the simple formula used to calculate the resistors and also where to put them. They are cheep and might be found at any radio shack.

You need the proper resistor to set the current running to the motors from the 540. The instructions from the 540 will explain the simple formula used to calculate the resistors and also where to put them. They are cheep and might be found at any radio shack.

Thanks
:cheers: Ted

It's here:rainfro:

I am totally surprised at how small the g540 is.
Customs only charged me the gst which is a sales tax and that's ok.
I went and got all the electronics and a motor so I can wire everything up here at home.and test it out. Pics and text to come!!! :D:D:D:banana::banana::banana:


:cheers: Ted

Couldn't wait:
Here's what I got done so far...First I gutted the m100 box, taking a ton of pictures so I could remember where everything goes, especially the wires. The motor drives, the breakout boards and the power supply came out the only thing I left in was the main plug as it has a ton of wires and I didn't want to be concerned where they went back. Then I cleaned everything, as parts were full of dust, this was a working machine after all.
There were some holes in the back where componants were attached So I took a piece of abs sheet plastic and made a plate. this covered the main hole. Then I cut a pocket in it that the g540 would fit in. I then mounted the plate in the original hole using the old screws and fancy nuts. Looks pretty good huh? That's it so far. Took me about 3.5 hours, I move sloooow. and take lots of breaks. Tomorrow the power supply goes back in and I'll hook up some wires.

Here's some pics.

:cheers: Ted

Got stumped :violin:
Now I have put back into the box, the fan, the power supply and the front cover with all the switches. Using the pics I took I hooked up the wires but not the gecko drive so I could test the voltages coming out of the power supply. I could not get a dc voltage reading on the output side. When I switched over to ac voltage, I got a reading of 26 volts. Don't know if this would have blown the gecko as it take between 18 and 50 volts DC but I am not hooking it up!!
So I'll look around locally for a power supply, if I can't find one then it's back to mail ordering one.(nuts)
The adventure continues!! It has been said "it's not the destination... but the journey"

Some pics.
:cheers: Ted

Hey Guys
Some progress and some questions. I got a power supply. 24 volt, 6.5 amp out put which is as close as I could get to the original power supply except this one is dc not ac. It falls into the range the g540 requires. (18-48 volts) The motors are 2.5 amp rated which means that I need 2.5 k resistors on each axis for the current set. I could not find 2.5 k resistors. I got 2.4 and 2.7 k so my question is which one do I use? Can anyone tell me? Since the resistor goes betweem pin 1 and pin 5 of the output side of the gecko on the db9 cable the 2.4 will let a bit more power through, will that damage the motor circuit? Or if I use the 2.7 will that choke the current to the motor too much causing a performance loss?:confused:
I'm going to hook up the rest of the wiring and will take some pics as I go and will post them latter. Thanks in advance.

:cheers: Ted

I got the power supply hooked up and wired to the gecko 540.
When I power up, the leds that indicate power or fault do not light up. The computer is not yet hooked up, but should these lights not come on ?:confused:
Some pics.

:cheers: Ted

Interesting developement. I called Gecko to see if they could help me out. Talked to Marius and he walked me through the hook up. After checking out the wireing and testing to see if I had burn't the fuse ( I hadn't) we put the drive back together and it worked. The lights went on like they should have. There was a poor connection somewhere. Remember I know nothing about electronic and Marius had to walk me through every move, he spent almost 1.5 hours with me. Now that's service!!! Thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! He also gave me a bunch of hints on what to look out for as I hook up the rest.
I'll work on it this weekend and should have a motor working by the end of it.
I'll report more then.


:cheers:Ted

last year we had an issue with multiple machines and at the end it was a simple fix!! the reason i am making this post is marriss was on the beach in hawaii in a chair soaking up the rays, he calls me on his cell phone when we figured out the fix says he will call me back in a few minutes and does!!! the next day i get a package with all we needed to get going!!! i feel the same way when it comes to drives gecko is it, when it comes to the man behind the drives marris is the MAN!!!!!


jim

Well I finally got the soldering iron out,and got the motor coils soldered to the gecko db9 connector along with the resister. But now I'm stumped again. The black wire in the picture is a ground but to which pin does it go? I understand it has to go to the ground on the power supply? It was pin 5 on the teckno db9. And where do the others go? they were:

pin 7 was red
pin 8 was blue
pin9 was green

This was on the teckno db9

Which wire goes to which pin on the gecko db9?
Can anyone help? :confused: :withstupi

Thanks in advance.

:cheers:Ted

I had enough fooling around. I ordered all the rest of the stuff I needed from

http://cncrouterparts.com/

Motors, power supply and cables, I had gotten the gecko 540 from them earlier.
Everything matched and worked together, it was a no brainer.
After hooking everything up to the gecko and setting up mach3 on the computer I got motor movement on the first try of the jogging buttons. Then I loaded the roadrunner program in mach and ran it and that too worked.
One thing that concerned me was that the stepper motors got really hot! On the mach forum I found out hot steppers is normal.
Now I need to replace the old motors with the new on the Techno and try them out there as all this testing was done on my work bench at home. I hope to do a test cut next week.
Thanks to all of you who helped me out. (group) In hind site I should have just gotten the right stuff to begin with. Hopefully my problems will be small from now on.
Will let you know how things go.

Some pictures now.

:cheers: Ted