Red FAULT light on Gecko 320

[schwinndk]

I seem to have some problems getting the nema 23 servo motors to run. I have wirred everything up and have connected the #5 and #7 so the Gecko drives so it should reset if problems should happen. But when doing so, it keeps resetting every 2 seconds and the red light "FAULT" keeps it doing so all the time. I use a C10 breakout board with 2 and 3 for X 4 and 5 for Y and 6 and 7 for Z.
I am using the jumper on the C10 for 5vdc and have the commen output on the Geckos to go to Com port on the Breakoutboard. Wirred up like the manual: http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C10R8_WD1.pdf


Solutions:

I have tried to switch over the PHASE A and B. Then it just keeps brumming all the time. I dont think thats right.
I have also tuned the Geckos DAMP and GAIN to 10oclock on the LIMIT all the way around.

I have also tried jumping the E-stop switch and the limit switch like the manual without any luck

I read in a forum that someone suggested to switch the power from the powersupply around to the Geckos. Is that true?..

Does anyone have a suggestion to what to do next?

Best... Kim

[diycnc]

on mine i left the phase wires alone and swapped the motor power wires.. if it faults with it just sitting there this is probably the problem..

after doing this i still had some weird problems caused from the brushes not being fully seated, to solve this i just hooked the motor directly to my supply and let it run for 30 min..

[schwinndk]

Thanks for your suggestion. I am in contact with Gecko and Keling at the moment and have asked them if I can do this. I would not like burning the drivers if they dont agree on doing this... But thanks for answering...
Kim

[MattTheNoob]

How long are the wires between the power supply and the 320's? I think 18" is the max before you need to add a capacitor at the drive.

[schwinndk]

I believe it is under 18", but I can try to make them shorter. I bought a bigger powersupply then the kit suggested since I was told in here that it was too small for the motors. So I cannot see that this might be a problem. But I will give it a shot since it is ALL the drives that has the FAULT light.
You can see the length on the picture on this thread:
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=77418

Kim

[MattTheNoob]

Power supply size doesn't really have anything to do with it, and that looks like more than 18" to me.

If you read some of the extreeeeemly detailed and informative information that Marriss has put together, he explains that it is a function of the drives pulling in power at 35khz (maybe not the right number) and the power needs to be "right there" when the drive needs it. Adding a capacitor at the drive helps this.

[schwinndk]

Hi MattTheNoob,

Thanks for the input.. I will try shorten the wires down to the minimum and try it out. I have sendt the picture to Keling and Gecko and they did not comment it. But it is worth a try...

Kim

[schwinndk]

Hi MattTheNoob,

Shorter wires did not work (200mm). Still same problem..

Kim

[TOTALLYRC]

I would suggest reading the trouble shooting and the setup files to be absolutely certain that it is hooked up and working properly.

The voltmeter test for the encoder works well and will let you know in short order if the encoder is working properly.


http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/ser...leshooting.pdf

http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/G320-REV-7-Manual.pdf

Mike

[schwinndk]

Hi Mike,

Thanks. This is the manual I have been going through, and I end up with it telling me to send them back for service. I have not checked if the power
supply current rating is less than 50 mA since this is a CNC KIT from KELING and it is sold as somthing that works together. So if you ask me it should be working out of the box when following the wire diagram for gecko servo 320 and kelings site. But I will try the volt meter test and try to figure out whats going on. I am glad that you guys help since KELING isn´t answering and I havent heard from GECKO in a week even though I answered some questions from them.. I am really disapointed in them. They promice good support and yet they don´t do anything.

Is it really that hard to ajust the Gecko 320 so that I need oscilloscope to see what happens?? How should the jumpers on the gecko be set? Can they be set wrong? I have not ajusted any of them, just followed the diagrams. And both keling ang Gecko have not commented anything of this.

Kim

Kim

[MattTheNoob]

I can't tell from you picture, but it looks like you are using an external 5v power supply. If that is the case, you need to connect the 5v neutral to the 5v neutral on the gecko 320. I only bring this up because I made the same mistake on my first setup. One of the smart folks here (it might even have been TOTALLYRC) set me straight. I wasn't getting the fault light, but I was definitely getting squirrelley behavior from my motor.

If you bought this stuff as a kit, then I understand your frustration. Hang in there. Stay pollite. There are a lot of sharp folks on this board if the vendor does not come through.

[TOTALLYRC]

Originally Posted by schwinndk Hi Mike, Thanks. This is the manual I have been going through, and I end up with it telling me to send them back for service. I have not checked if the power supply current rating is less than 50 mA since this is a CNC KIT from KELING and it is sold as somthing that works together. So if you ask me it should be working out of the box when following the wire diagram for gecko servo 320 and kelings site. But I will try the volt meter test and try to figure out whats going on. I am glad that you guys help since KELING isn´t answering and I havent heard from GECKO in a week even though I answered some questions from them.. I am really disapointed in them. They promice good support and yet they don´t do anything. Is it really that hard to ajust the Gecko 320 so that I need oscilloscope to see what happens?? How should the jumpers on the gecko be set? Can they be set wrong? I have not ajusted any of them, just followed the diagrams. And both keling ang Gecko have not commented anything of this. Kim Kim

Hi Kim,
I have dealt with both Gecko and Kelling and have nothing but good things to say about both companies.

The G320 is significantly more difficult to setup than a stepper drive.
You don't need an o-scope to set it up, but if you have one you should use it.

The problems that you are having require you to start at the begining and do one thing at a time.

It can be frustrating because you bought everthing as a set and it is supposed to work. It will work but it is not like buying a toaster, as all the pieces can be tested after final assembly by the manufacturer(sp). I have a fair amount of experiance doing electrical and some very basic electronics experience and it still took a while to get my g320s to work on the test bench.

Leave the jumpers in the default position for now.

If you are using an external power supply for the encoders, follow this from the gecko manual

"ENCODER HOOK-UP
Connect a 470 ohm resistor from TERM. 6 to TERM.
7 if an external power supply is used for the encoder."

If not ignore it.


I am looking at your picture on this thread
http://www.cnczone.com/forums/attach...3&d=1250244137

It looks like you have you have it wired incorrectly, if the blue wire from the BOB is in fact 5v+ like the sticker says, you have the 5v+ going to the step terminal and the - wire going to the 5v+ pin

From the Gecko manual
(TERM. 10) DIR Connect the DIRECTION line to this terminal.
(TERM. 11) STEP Connect the STEP line to this terminal.
(TERM. 12) +5VDC Connect this terminal to the controller +5VDC power supply

Let me know if this helps.
Mike