Gecko 203Vs and Keling 1200ozs getting VERY HOT!

[idtkid]

Curious as to why my 3 gecko 203Vs and my 3 Keling 1200oz Nema34 motors are getting so hot that I will burn my self on them? Are my current set resistors not of a high enough wattage? Is my 75V 20A powersupply pushing too much? Or is this normal? Any help would be great!

[JeLC]

I offer no solution, but, like Bill Clinton, I feel your pain. I am running the Gecko540 with Keling 387 oz motors. I bought it as a package from Keling, so I (wrongly) assumed they were matched up. But my motors are running extremely hot also. I've been in contact with Marcus at Geckodrive, and he is suggesting that the PSU which came bundled with my package may be mismatched, meaning not big enough (wattage I assume). I'm still doing some testing, and won't lay the blame on Keling (yet). I, like you, used the recommended current limiting resistors, wire gauge, installed cooling fans etc. Followed instructions to the letter on putting together the electronics.

Hope you find a solution, as I'm probably looking to junk the PSU that came with the package and purchase a bigger one. (the wife is going to love hearing that, too) Good luck!!!

[nikodell]

Originally Posted by JeLC I offer no solution, but, like Bill Clinton, I feel your pain. I am running the Gecko540 with Keling 387 oz motors. I bought it as a package from Keling, so I (wrongly) assumed they were matched up. But my motors are running extremely hot also. I've been in contact with Marcus at Geckodrive, and he is suggesting that the PSU which came bundled with my package may be mismatched, meaning not big enough (wattage I assume). I'm still doing some testing, and won't lay the blame on Keling (yet). I, like you, used the recommended current limiting resistors, wire gauge, installed cooling fans etc. Followed instructions to the letter on putting together the electronics. Hope you find a solution, as I'm probably looking to junk the PSU that came with the package and purchase a bigger one. (the wife is going to love hearing that, too) Good luck!!!

I would like to know if this is true as I am waiting for the motors and PSU of this kit, and would like to change it if it is in fact true.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by idtkid Curious as to why my 3 gecko 203Vs and my 3 Keling 1200oz Nema34 motors are getting so hot that I will burn my self on them? Are my current set resistors not of a high enough wattage? Is my 75V 20A powersupply pushing too much? Or is this normal? Any help would be great!

I run the 203V and KL34H2120-60-4A from a 72V PSU. Neither one gets more than somewhat warm. Are you running the same motor or do you have the KL34H2120-42-8A?

What current set resistor are you using? These are six Amp motors and the 203V requires heat sinking for more than 3A. Do you have the drivers heat sinked?

CR.

[Crevice Reamer]

Originally Posted by JeLC I offer no solution, but, like Bill Clinton, I feel your pain. I am running the Gecko540 with Keling 387 oz motors. I bought it as a package from Keling, so I (wrongly) assumed they were matched up. But my motors are running extremely hot also. I've been in contact with Marcus at Geckodrive, and he is suggesting that the PSU which came bundled with my package may be mismatched, meaning not big enough (wattage I assume). I'm still doing some testing, and won't lay the blame on Keling (yet). I, like you, used the recommended current limiting resistors, wire gauge, installed cooling fans etc. Followed instructions to the letter on putting together the electronics. Hope you find a solution, as I'm probably looking to junk the PSU that came with the package and purchase a bigger one. (the wife is going to love hearing that, too) Good luck!!!

I assume that you are using 3.5K resistors. Measure to be sure they ARE 3.5K or less. Using NO resistor, or using a larger resistor than 3.5K would turn off the Idle Current Limiting circuit and this would definitely make the motors run hotter.

Stepper motors DO get hot. They can get as hot as 192 degrees F and still be within limits. You should MEASURE the motor temp. I'll bet it's only about 140 degrees F and while that may FEEL hot, it is not much for a stepper.

CR.

[idtkid]

Originally Posted by Crevice Reamer I run the 203V and KL34H2120-60-4A from a 72V PSU. Neither one gets more than somewhat warm. Are you running the same motor or do you have the KL34H2120-42-8A? What current set resistor are you using? These are six Amp motors and the 203V requires heat sinking for more than 3A. Do you have the drivers heat sinked? CR.

I am running the KL34H212060-4B (dual shaft is the only difference) ill have to re check the resistance of the resistors however I know they are 1/4 watt. The 3 Geckos are bolted to the side of a computer case and I can feel the heat throughout the entire side panel, is this sufficient heat sinking? Thanks!

[Crevice Reamer]

Metal case is probably NOT enough heat sink for 203Vs pulling that much current. It is most comfortable (And longest lived) at 122 degrees F or less. Must NEVER goto 158 F.

You might want to get one of these and check the actual temps. 150 degrees F feels very hot, but is well below the actual 180 degree stepper temp limit.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93983

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93984

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=96451

CR.

[idtkid]

You sure know your stuff CR. I grabbed an infrared thermometer and sure enough they were only reading ~120F. Appreciate all the help!