Help with controller wiring - Gecko 202's

[Hack]

I wired up my router this week and was hoping to spin the motors this weekend for the first time, but can't get it working.

I am using a 24V 25 A power supply, 3 gecko 202's, CNC4PC breakout board and an external 5V power supply from CNC4PC as well.

When I turn the controller on, I get 24 v to the gecko's, 5 V to the breakout board. The red LED light is on on the Gecko's and BOB.

Problem is that the motors wont lock up.

I have the +5v from the CNC4PC power supply going to the geckos as required, but where do I hook up the ground side of this to? Could the fact that this is not hooked up yet be the cause of the motors not locking up?

If not, what else should I check for?

Thanks

Dan

[Madclicker]

Originally Posted by Hack I have the +5v from the CNC4PC power supply going to the geckos as required, but where do I hook up the ground side of this to? Could the fact that this is not hooked up yet be the cause of the motors not locking up?

BINGO

Connect the gound of the 5V supply to the ground of the BOB. You don't really have 5V unless there is a current return path.

[Hack]

Well I got it working. Somewhat. I got all 3 axis to move by removing the current set resistors. Must have them figured wrong, but I figured that problem out at least. I will have to get some new resistors. All 3 motors lock up very strongly.

Now a new problem. Only the Y axis runs properly. I have had it running over 300 IPM today with no problems. Stopped there but could have run it faster. I not to sure I will ever top it out at least until I get some limit switches installed.

The X and Z axis work very ragged. Very choppy and the Z axis wont hadly even move. I disconnected everything on the Z axis. The motor is only turning the screw at this point and is unable to do so. I don't have the slides hooked up or a router of any kind to weight it down, yet it will still not turn properly. I feel as though I have eliminated any alignment issues by doing this as well. I am able to turn the screw freely when the steppers are not powered.

I suspect the x axis is the same as it behaves similarly. Can anyone suggest any solution to this problem? How can I test to see if the motors are receiving current as needed. Which wires would I check?

I have read about trim post adjustments, to adjust the midband compensation circuit. Not sure what this is, but could it be affecting 2 of the 3 motors?

Thanks all.

Dan

[ger21]

Are you using Mach3? Try increasing the pulse width a little.

[Hack]

Currently using TurboCNC V4 just to get it running. Planned upgrade to Mach as finances allow.

Dan

[ger21]

Still try increasing the pulse width. What's the accel set at? Are all axis set the same?

[Madclicker]

I'm by no means an expert at this, but in the last week I set up my control box for 3 completely different motors: 4 wire, 8 wire and 6 wire and I had no problems to speak of. It was basically a no-brainer. Kudo's to the gecko ppl for what looks like a great product!

I will say that I spent plenty of time making sure I knew exactly how everything was to be hooked up and why it was that way before the drives even got here.

I think you have wiring problems, but no one can say for sure without at least a wiring diagram.

I didn't have to dick with any pulse widths or such obscure configuration. If anything, the default config in TCNC was too conservative and slow. I could barely see the motors turn at first.

Gerry, exactly which pulse width are you telling him to change? The only two signals that figure here are step and direction. Direction is not really a pulse, but more of a toggled value, so you must mean the step signal. When the motor is moving this signal is a pulse train whose width is inversely proportional to the frequency. To make the pulse wider you slow the frequency.

[ger21]

I think that TurboCNC only has one pulse width setting.

[ger21]

Originally Posted by Madclicker When the motor is moving this signal is a pulse train whose width is inversely proportional to the frequency. To make the pulse wider you slow the frequency.

I don't think this is correct, but someone else will need to back me up on this. Are you saying if you double the pulse width, you cut your speed in half? I don't think so.

[Hack]

Well I checked the settings in turbocnc and made sure I matched the settings of the X & Z axis to the working Y axis. Made no difference. Currently set with the accel at 250, pulse width at 10 fast jog at 15000

Checked to be sure I have 24 volts going into each gecko...I do.
Checked to be sure I have 5V at pin 10 at each gecko.....I do.

Is there a way to check how much current is going to the motors? I am wondering if I have a short between the geckos and steppers or something.

Suggestions as to what to check next?

I had emailed Art at CNC4PC to get some input on the breakout board and minipower supply I am using and I feel I have that stuff wired correctly. Perhaps an email to Mariss will be next to see if he has any ideas.

Dan

[Madclicker]

What did you do with the 5V supply ground?

[Hack]

I did nothing withe 5V ground. In my email with Art (CNC4PC) he stated that it is not needed. The Y axis works wonderfully like this, Can't understand why it would make a differrence on the other 2 axis. I have tried taking the Ground on this circuit to the ground on the BOB and made no difference.

Dan