few questions about Boss 4 retro with HillBilly BOB

[TbcSEOD]

Hi all, I been reading here for a number of weeks now mostly on the Boss mill series. Mine was delivered last week and works wonderfully but is not the most user friendly when needing to input information. I have used MACH3 before and was very happy with it so I decided to try and retro the machine using its original drivers and motors (have had zero problems with them so no need to break my budget when they are working fine). I found HillBilly's BOB and already have one on order. My number 1 question is What all can I effectively remove from the machine in preparation for the BOB's arrival?

I know the display head, tape reader, cards and card rack can go, and I believe the 5 and 12 volt area to the right of the card rack can go as well. I believe the 24 volt transformer is no longer needed either.

What about the power box, any of that stuff no longer needed? I have 1 transformer in there (I think its the lower right one) that has a HORRIBLE hum/squeal that I would love to yank out......... but there's no use in shoving juice into any of them if nothing is feeding from the output of it/them either.

Thanks for any insight or help that any one can offer.

~T

[creep_pea]

As I remember from doing mine you can only remove the logic rack (computer bit), control screen and the 5/12volt regulated power supply unit.

You defiantly need the 24v bit as the emergency stop works on this voltage and other bits probably.

[TbcSEOD]

Originally Posted by creep_pea As I remember from doing mine you can only remove the logic rack (computer bit), control screen and the 5/12volt regulated power supply unit. You defiantly need the 24v bit as the emergency stop works on this voltage and other bits probably.

Had not thought of the e-stop, ok - 24V stays in (good thing I am asking before i start gutting it)

~T

[tpmx57]

When I did my Series II I didn,t cut the wires going to the BOB,
I was able to find female plugs to attach to the male plugs on the mill and wired those to the BOB.
This way I could put it back to original if i ever want.
Most likely never will as long as I own it.
I just didn,t want to cut up the wiring harness.
I just removed the tape reader on mine.
The mill is alot more user friendly with MACH 3 than the BOSS 6.
If there was just a way to keep the final transistors from blowing on occasion
the machine would be perfect
Good luck with your machine

[TbcSEOD]

Originally Posted by tpmx57 When I did my Series II I didn,t cut the wires going to the BOB, I was able to find female plugs to attach to the male plugs on the mill and wired those to the BOB. This way I could put it back to original if i ever want. Most likely never will as long as I own it. I just didn,t want to cut up the wiring harness. I just removed the tape reader on mine. The mill is alot more user friendly with MACH 3 than the BOSS 6. If there was just a way to keep the final transistors from blowing on occasion the machine would be perfect Good luck with your machine

Thanks Tpmx,
I am thinking of leaving the "extra" stuff in it as well, I am VERY impressed with how well it works (after only a day of trouble shooting the electrical and logic systems it runs perfectly and I sort of hate to "tear it up when it all works so well". My tape deck was gone when I bought it so that's no worry there.

I also found a small 8 pin female header in some of my electronics junk box and was thinking of trying to see if I can find some local so I could do as you did and use them rather than cut the harness up as well.........

I was nervous when I bought the machine but I seen potential in it (and the price was very right too) but after seeing Hillbilly's BOB and the info he already sent me I am over joyed that I was able to get the machine and can not wait to get the BOB (coming tomorrow) all wired up


~T

[amishmafia00]

Tbc,
I'm doing the same thing on a boss 5, i just removed the card rack and 12v powersupply last night. i was very happy to get rid of all that extra stuff. I sent Darek an email about what to remove. if you remove your control panel don't forget to keep the wires for the limit over ride switch and light. my question is about the stuff mounted to the floor of the cabinet right at the front. i think i saw somewhere that it might be an arc suppresor relay. i would like to at least move it to the back wall of the cabinet so that i can fit my computer inside the cabinet. I have a second boss 5 that i am going to convert to keling steppers, gecko's and vfd. keep me updated on your progress and good luck!