BP - BOSS 4, Where to start?

[camerons]

I have aquired a BP with a Boss 4 controller. A freebe! Not sure where to start on the beast. I don't have a 3phase converter, but have wired it in single phase with the lines going to the spindle motor dropped off just to see if I could get the axis motors to run. All the led's illuminate on the panel and it says "WAIT" on the display screen and stays in that state. Im not much on the electrical side of things. Do I need to have it wired 3phase for it to function or is there another problem? If I go into the cabinet on the right side of the machine I can achieve motion by manually pulling in the relays on the X,Y,Z axis. Anyones help would be greatly appreiciated. I have this setup in my garage and wanted to get it running as my 1st piece of hobby shop equipment. If its not worth messing with the old controls then I will be looking to upgrade and will probably be spending a fair amount of time reading and asking for advice.

Thanks,
Steve

[Hood]

I know the spindle is linked to the oil tank so if there is not enough oil in then it wont run. I would also imagine that if the oil was low then the axis motors would not run either. As you have taken the spindle out of the circuit it is possible that it wont run as it thinks the oil level is low. Take this at face value as although I have a Series 1, I am at present retro fitting it so dont really know.
Hood

[machintek]

The low oil level will only affect the spindle turning on. BUT, the axis power supply uses a three phase transformer, so three phases are needed for that.
I do not remember individual relays for each axis. There was one relay on the bottom of the side electrical panel that was part of the emergency stop string, thus also part of turning on/off the drives. Two contactors in the back for spindle forward/reverse.
Remember you have to press the over-ride button in to turn the drives on, and make sure the emergency button is not pressed in.
Are you certain about the BOSS 4 designation? What boards do you have in the machine?

George

[camerons]

Hey guys,
Thanks for the response, it's appreciated. I was wrong about what I thought I had here. Glad you inquired. I got the manuals for this machine and it's a BP, Series I, V2E3, BOSS 8. The logic boards are listed as an EAF board, EMC board and EPU board. I still need 3 phases with this cofiguration in order for the controller function properly, right? Is that why I'm getting a "WAIT" message displayed on the controller?
I am hopeful that this info will shed some light on my situation. Sorry about the mis-information.
Thanks,
Steve
Steve Cameron

[machintek]

There is usually a number behind the wait and it usually means a problem with the EMC (mother board). Also you WILL KNOW when the drives are on as this machine will "sing" to you.
There were two versions of this machine. One had a 2 line LCD display, the orher had a 8 line LCD display. These were not common machines. In my Bridgeport acreer, I installed 2 of these.
I believe you will also find a FMDC in there, and the backlash pot board, etc.

George

[bduke75]

i have only sent one message since i logged on to here, i only asked how to set up a serial interface for a boss 4 to a pc.. anyone have any suggestions ?