Spindle Speed Control for X3 with C11G BOB & Mach3

[MRM RCModels]

Anyone have a cnc'd x3 with mach3 controlling the spindle speed/direction? I have the cnc4pc C11G BOB and wired it according to the pdf on cnc4pc website but when I applied power to the X3, a BIG spark jumped out of the board along with lots of smoke. I cannot figure out what's wrong.

Anyone do this sucessfully?

Thanks

[dneisler]

I subscribed to this thread, I have same mill and BOB and will be doing this shortly.
Very interested in what you find out. Best of luck.

[Monte]

I haven't read it yet, but did you see this? I don't have an X3 either, was just looking at the site.

http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C11G_&_S...0storybook.pdf

[MRM RCModels]

I haven't read it yet, but did you see this? I don't have an X3 either, was just looking at the site. http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C11G_&_S...0storybook.pdf

Yep, that's the pdf I was using when the sparks and smoke started. I contacted Arturo from cnc4pc and he said:

Kelvin, The power supplies or transformers isolate the currents, you just have make sure the each current is from a different source. The problem many speed controllers use the same ground for the circuit as for the motor itself. As you can understand, the electronics of the PC or breakout board cannot take these voltage changes. That is why these currents must be kept isolated. Thanks, Arturo Duncan

I still don't know what to do about this.

[cjdavis618]

I have the same setup and asked Arturo the same thing. I looked at the documents listed, but that machine appeared to be a regular X3 rather than the Super with the digital controls. I wanted to use the original controls and the Spindle control on the c11g, but I haven't felt confident enough to tackle the electronics. Since yours is the Standard X3, I'm surprised it isn't working for you. Unless they have since changed the Control board in that machine as well.

As popular as the Super X3 and the CNC of them is, I would almost buy a Mill head for Arturo to figure out if he can create a board for it. ( And I get the prototype controller for free .

What I can tell is that the motor of the Super X3 is no more than a digitally controlled 3 phase converter. The controller board that has the motor outputs doesn't appear to be where the Mach connection should be. I believe there should be a " Interface" board that can act as a relay between the original OEM board and when activated in Mach, take over and isolate the system. Being 3 phase, I don't see where the c11g could be placed to leave the original interoperability in place, and also be able to use the motor in forward and reverse. We would also loose the tapping feature it appears.

When I first got my Super X3, about 3 days after it was purchased, the controller board quit. I took it back to Grizzly, but since then, I am leery of "testing" things on the mill electronically.

There was a post buried here on CNCzone that had already tried this control with mach. I believe the outcome was that he got rid of the original electronics totally. That just isn't a solution for me. I want to keep my spindle readout and the manual tapping features.

[MRM RCModels]

I talked with Arturo at cnc4pc and looked on hoss's website. Arturo said that the power supplies for the C11G and speed control must not share a common ground. I didn't quite get what that meant, but when looking on hoss's site he said that the speed control and C11G must use two completely different power supplies. Now I understand . I got out a old 12V 300mA power supply and hooked it to the speed control with NO SPARKS! Too bad most of the ICs on the board are fried from the first time, so I can't test the funtionality . My new ICs are on the way, so I'll give you guys an update once everything is installed.

If someone is feeling adventurous, try it out and see if it works

[topls64]

WTF.
Just smoked mine too.

Using the same pdf with a jumper in place of the dc/dc converter (5v logic ground to 12v speed control ground). I was able to get the BOB back (I have a stash of spare electrical parts) to a usable state.

Guess you cannot use the cnc3pc C21 power board to provide power, as they share a ground.

My problem now is that when I put the speed pot back on the mill, and jumper of the spindle direction, I get a power light and nothing else. The only items that change state are the relay (on power up) and LED3 on the speed board (on ESTOP press).

I don't know what to do now! Is there a way to test the seig speed controller?

[MRM RCModels]

I am so sorry. I called Arturo and told him to take that pdf off the site. It uses an older version of the X3 and C11G. I'm afraid that your speed controller on the C11G and X3 are toast. I know this because I fried mine the same way and had to replace them. Grizzly.com has replacements but they aren't cheap. X3 speed control is ~$100. After the magic smoke, I decided to change use a servo motor with and G302 to control the speed. So much easier and reliable.

MRM

[topls64]

So, can the C11 be used with the modern X3 speed control? All was fine till I connected the speed control wires p1 and p2. The C11 I can repace the ics on, but am I better off getting a different 0-90vdc motor controller?

[cjdavis618]

[QUOTE=MRM RCModels;464092After the magic smoke, I decided to change use a servo motor with and G302 to control the speed. So much easier and reliable.

MRM[/QUOTE]

Do Tell... What did you get for the motor and encoder?

Chris

[seanreit]

Kelvin, please post the servo motor you went with for spindle control. Is part of your goal to be able to tap with your vertical mill?

[John S.]

Originally Posted by MRM RCModels I am so sorry. I called Arturo and told him to take that pdf off the site. It uses an older version of the X3 and C11G. I'm afraid that your speed controller on the C11G and X3 are toast. I know this because I fried mine the same way and had to replace them. Grizzly.com has replacements but they aren't cheap. X3 speed control is ~$100. After the magic smoke, I decided to change use a servo motor with and G302 to control the speed. So much easier and reliable. MRM

That pdf can be used with the newer boards from CNC4PC if you keep the DC to DC chip so that the speed supply is TOTALLY isolated.

The speed boards in the current X3's are still the same.

Arturo's newer board [ rev 5 ] only requires 5V for the logic and no longer requires the 12v logic as he's now fitted a 5v relay but people are making the mistake of using the old 12v supply for the speed and it shares a common ground.
The speed circuit on the X3 spindle board P1 and P2 CAN be at mains potential hence needing an isolated supply.

Either use two completely separate 5v and 12 volt power supplies or use the DC to DC chip which will isolate the supply.

It does clearly state in the pdf that the speed supply has to be isolated from the rest.

John S.