Gecko vs Rutex

[samualt]

Which are better between Gecko and Rutex?

I'd really like to use Rutex because it has allot of bells and whistles. I like that I can plug three driver boards into a mini-motherboard and have the parallel port connect to that (less wiring). And they have a "Four relay outputs" board that I can simply plug in.
Three Gecko 340's at $148.00 each is $450. Three Rutex R990H's at $148.00 each plus the mini-motherboard (optional) for $58 is about $508.00. Not much difference in price and the Rutex can read my motor encoders (differential) and the Gecko's can't without some added stuff. Plus, I can always add the relay output board to the Rutex later.
So, does anyone know why I would pick Gecko over Rutex? Is there anything wrong with the Rutex? Are the Rutex more fragile than the Gecko or something? I know that Gecko is a very good and trusted brand. Isn't Rutex also? I'm just wondering why so few people use Rutex and everyone and their dog seems to use Gecko.

Thanks for any information..........Sam

[balsaman]

You can use a diferential encoder with a gecko but you need to power it from the +5 volt step/dir common (PC power supply). It's there on the drive anyways so no big deal.

The rutex is nice if your motors are higher voltage (up to 200 volts vs 80).

In the end I went with gecko's mostly because of price ($114 vs. $148) and because they are in the US, vs Europe.

I am glad I did.

Eric

[samualt]

balsaman:
The savings just don't seem that big (Rutex even has some cheaper servo drives at $98). You loose the bells and whistles with Gecko's. And whether they are in the US or Australia also doesn't seem that important because either way: shipping will be about a week or so, emails are free and instant communication to either company, and neither is down the block from me.

I do like some of the stories I hear about Gecko customer support. People frying their drives and Gecko fixing/replacing them for free, etc...Kudo's!
Any other reasons I should choose Gecko?

[tsalaf]

With Gecko you can phone and speak with the engineer who designed the drive. This can be worth it’s weight in gold if you’re using your machine to earn a living. Quite often superior customer service, on it’s own, is worth the price of admission.

Steve
www.tac-pro.com

[Marc Soren]

I've been checking it out as well.
Seems Rutex will be setting up a US dealer soon. It is in the
works and supplies will be from the US of A. The dealer is also
a builder and has experience with several drivers.
I don't know much else about any of the details.

Marc and boyz

[routerman]

For the servo drives, go with Rutex. The problem with the Gecko is the very small error range +- 128 counts. This causes them to fault too much.
Gecko stepper drives are ok for the price, but quality seems to be a question. No heatsink insulators and not good where there may be metalic dust, since the mosfets can short to the case. Also the 100uF internal capacitor runs very hot.
For high current check out the Larken Cobra drives. They work well for currents up to 10 amps.

[HomeCNC]

I don't have any trouble with my Gecko G320's faulting at ALL!!

If you have a large count encoder this could be your problem.

[balsaman]

Me niether, unless I crash

Eric

[Marc Soren]

Jeff said "I don't have any trouble with my Gecko G320's faulting at ALL!!

If you have a large count encoder this could be your problem."

Could you bring me up to speed as to what size motors and encoder you are running ? The boyz and I are slowly catching up....is there a ratio of encoder size/motor size or something or feedrates or ???

I am getting the final wires connected for my G-320 4 axis and hope to cut wax soon....the Geckos are a couple of years old and sat in closet with parts till health got lined up.....I wonder if there have been changes since I got mine?

I have another system in the works, so need to figure some things out.

thanks for all your help

[balsaman]

There have been some changes to the Geckos. Minor I think. You could ask mariss to be sure.

Eric

[HomeCNC]

I run my G320's with 36 VDC 430 oz/in servo's with USDigital 250 CPR encoders.

I have both sets of G320's. (old ones and new ones) They both work fine with my 250 CPR encoders.

[routerman]

I run my G320's with 36 VDC 430 oz/in servo's with USDigital 250 CPR encoders. I have both sets of G320's. (old ones and new ones) They both work fine with my 250 CPR encoders.

250 count encoder ?? No most motors run at least 1000- 4000 counts I was running 2000 counts and had problems. Is that 250 count encoder off a 20 year old printer or something? At 2000 counts the motor just has to be turned by a few degrees and it trips its fault, causeing the machine axis to freewheel and destroy your workpiece. The Rutex is far safer since it has a 32000 count error range.