stepper motors only spin in one direction

[nicanor76]

I'm trying to figure out why my board only spins in one direction, making sure if I missed anything on the software (Mach3). Right now when I jog the motor only spins in 1 direction; jog left and goes left, jog right and jogs left. Same with all of the other axis (only up, only forward). On the software it'll jog in both directions (will + or - the axis value).

I tried it on 2 computers (PC and laptop) to make sure it's not a cable or PC hardware issue. I changed steps from 2000 to 200, tried all values of "step pulse", only have 1 axis checked, tried "dir lowactive" checked. Tried with all the breakout boards, different stepper motors. Double/triple checked to make sure parallel cable pins are all active and straight through. No matter what it still only spins in 1 direction.

Is there anything I should check in Mach3? Or is this potentially a hardware problem?

I originally had a Xylotex board, worked fine in the same settings. Now using a Univelop board. Trying everything I can before sending it back to them.

Help! Thanks!!

[nicanor76]

I just ran some voltage tests. Parallel cables gets 3.5v/0v when switching directions. From the control board (testing output solder points going to the breakout board) I get 5v/0v. From the breakout board (input solders points from the control board) I only get 1.8v/0v.

I tried to use all cables for all the breakout boards, flipped them upsidedown even (flipped both ends of the cable), still the same. So that should eliminate a faulty cable between the control and breakout boards.

[arizonavideo]

You will need to change the pin outputs in Mach3. I just had the same problem with a three chip eBay driver board.

If it is running but not changing directing then the two pins may be reversed. If the stock setting is pin 2 3 then change to 3 2 and all should be fine.

You do need to read the instruction from the driver board and set them in Mach3 motor pin output settings.

[nicanor76]

Tried that before, doesn't work. Read the manual, got in touch with manufacturer, wirings and pin settings seems to be fine. Motor doesn't spin when pin settings are switched.

Also just got a hold of the manufacturer again. The 1.8v on the breakout board's end is fine because it uses oscilloscope thingy. And when one of my stepper wires got loose by accident, the motors will spin in the other direction but acts very jittery then eventually stops spinning (maybe lasts for a couple seconds), then I realized one of the cable got loosed. I'm able to replicate the problem. So this means it's capable of it to spin back/forth but something's preventing it, but what? I'm using 2 wall-warts for power supply w/in specs of manufacturer specs (7v + 12v).