Minimum wiring connections for Gecko G540

[CNC Lurker]

I got my electronics the other day, and I also got my email with Mach3 license file from Mach.

I don't want to take any chances wiring it up, and I was studying the instructions from Gecko found here: http://www.geckodrive.com/upload/G54...4%20MANUAL.pdf


On the diagram, it shows relay power supplies, DC Relay Coils, and a VFD drive. Am I correct in thinking that those are for spindles and not needed for using a router motor, such as the Porter Cable 690 one I'm using for my build?

I did some hen-scratching (not pretty by any means) on the diagram (See attached diagram). Are those in the blue boxes the only ones I need to use (positions 1-4, 10-12)?

The second attachment, it is a screenshot of the Gecko and power supply. Am I correct in thinking that the bare minimum required to power the steppers are positions 10,11, and 12? I don't have my E-Stop or limit switches yet.

Finally, the third screenshot are some power cables I found at Home Depot. They are 14 and 16 gauge power cables with 3 wires, a black, green, and white one. My power supply has a ground symbol, "N" and "L". Which wires go where? Oh yeah, will the 16 gauge wire work or do I need the 14 gauge?

[DonFrambach]

When I was first testing my Gecko 540 I only connected power to the board (observing polarity of course - ie pin 12 to -48v and pin 11 to +48v), connected a wire between pin 10 and -48V on my board, and only one motor.

To power the transformer, connect the green wire to ground, the black wire to line ("L") and the white wire to neutral ("N").

16 guage wire is sufficient 14 guage is overkill and might be hard to connect.

[DonFrambach]

You don't need to use the inputs 1-4 to test your board. Those are for limit switches and other inputs that you can assign later.

[CNC Lurker]

Originally Posted by DonFrambach When I was first testing my Gecko 540 I only connected power to the board (observing polarity of course - ie pin 12 to -48v and pin 11 to +48v), connected a wire between pin 10 and -48V on my board, and only one motor.

Thanks for the very helpful reply.

As for pin 10 that is for the E-Stop, that was wired to the "-" instead of using a jumper from pin 10 to pin 12 as shown in the picture I took. I'm very glad I asked!!!

To power the transformer, connect the green wire to ground, the black wire to line ("L") and the white wire to neutral ("N"). 16 guage wire is sufficient 14 guage is overkill and might be hard to connect.

Once again, thank you very much, and after I do some things on the honey-do-list, I hope to post a test run vid.

[DonFrambach]

A jumper from pin 12 to pin 10 is electronically equivalent to a separate wire from pin 10 to -48DC. However, I personally like only one wire to each connector and the wire to pin 10 could easily be removed for the e-stop which you really want to get ASAP.

Don

[CNC Lurker]

Originally Posted by DonFrambach A jumper from pin 12 to pin 10 is electronically equivalent to a separate wire from pin 10 to -48DC. However, I personally like only one wire to each connector and the wire to pin 10 could easily be removed for the e-stop which you really want to get ASAP. Don

I ordered the e-stop on Ebay, it should be here in a couple of days.

[DonFrambach]

Here's a photo of my G540 when I first set it up for testing. I directed a small fan on the board because it gets pretty warm.

[brtech]

A relay for your router is a good thing. The VFD connection isn't needed. You can get a relay that matches your power supply and then you don't need a relay power supply.

I think you should use 14 gauge wire between the PS and the Gecko. I'd use 12 if I could get it to fit, but that's tough.

You only need 22 ga (or even less) for the E-Stop and limit switches.

[CNC Lurker]

Originally Posted by DonFrambach Here's a photo of my G540 when I first set it up for testing. I directed a small fan on the board because it gets pretty warm.

Thanks, just 3 wires minimum required to run the steppers.

[CNC Lurker]

Originally Posted by brtech A relay for your router is a good thing. The VFD connection isn't needed. You can get a relay that matches your power supply and then you don't need a relay power supply. I think you should use 14 gauge wire between the PS and the Gecko. I'd use 12 if I could get it to fit, but that's tough. You only need 22 ga (or even less) for the E-Stop and limit switches.

What is the purpose of the relay? Is that to start the router motor automatically?

By the way, thanks again to all for your time in replying. I have no problem cutting, drilling, and tapping the aluminum extrusions for my router, but the electronics is something I want to be careful with. Been reading something about "not letting the smoke out", and I'd rather it doesn't come out on my project.

Edit:
By the way, I was wondering what gauge to use between the PS and Gecko since 22 ga. wire was all that was needed to connect the steppers.

[CNC Lurker]

I got the 14 gauge running wires (black and red) and the 16 gauge power cable from Home Depot. I got the 22 gauge wire from Radio Shack.

I wired the power supply and Gecko as stated below.

Make sure the switch on the power supply is set to 115v if you are in the U.S. (it's set to 230v by default).

I installed the G540 XML files for Mach, and thought I was ready to connect everything, but I found out I only have male-to-female printer cables, no male-to-male printer cable, so another day till my first bench test.

[CNC Lurker]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I got the E-stop in already, but I didn't wire it up yet because I wasn't sure how it is wired. There are 4 wire connectors, 2 on the red side, 2 on the right side. Do I connect 1 wire to a green side, and the other to the red, or do I connect to both green or both red? (see attached pic).

Also, does it matter which side is connected to the "-" on the power supply and which side is connected to the Gecko?