What's the difference between the G201 and G203V?

[lagfish]

Aside from the extra protection the G203V has, and its ability to run on lower logic voltages? Can I just install a fuse on the G201 to protect it? I'm on a really tight budget and don't want to spend the extra $30 x 3axis = $90 difference if I don't have to. I know some people like having the peace of mind of having an bullet proof driver, but I can let that go for $90 and some very careful wiring. Thanks!

[jhowelb]

A broken wire inside the insulation can provide you with an intermittent broken connection between the motor and driver. It can happen and did to me.

I burned nearly $1000.00 worth of drivers before I finally found the problem. It's not just peace of mind we are talking about, think of it as insurance...........CHEAP insurance!

[LeeWay]

I also had a 203 with an intermitant IC chip. While in was back getting repaired for free, I had to use a 201 in it's place. I noticed the other two steppers were a lot cooler than the one driven by the 201. It wasn't really hot, just a remarkable difference.

[bryanrabb]

You can't kill em. Except for the $.51 fuse inside. I bought 4 201's, killed 2 of them, now I have the 203v. At the end of the day, they don't really cost that much more.

[Smitty911]

Originally Posted by lagfish Aside from the extra protection the G203V has, and its ability to run on lower logic voltages? Can I just install a fuse on the G201 to protect it? I'm on a really tight budget and don't want to spend the extra $30 x 3axis = $90 difference if I don't have to. I know some people like having the peace of mind of having an bullet proof driver, but I can let that go for $90 and some very careful wiring. Thanks!

The difference in the 201 to 203V in two words = Life Expectancy.

I made the same decisions for the 203V based on my lack of electrical knowledge.

Smitty

[CoAMarcus]

Originally Posted by Smitty911 The difference in the 201 to 203V in two words = Life Expectancy.

Well, yes and no. We still have some REV 0 G201 drives out in the field, and actually got one back for repair about 6 months ago. They still run well after 8 years in service, if they are wired correctly. The G203V will save your skin in the first second of hooking it up, where most expensive mistakes make themselves known. After that, and if hooked up properly, the G203V is essentially the same as a G201 aside from several small things in its operation.

Look at it as other people have put it: The G203V is cheap insurance. Most customers, OEMs primarily, do not need it because they are hooking the drives up the same way day after day. However, your average hobbyist is probably not as experienced with hooking them up and the chances for a mistake being made are much higher. That is when you will be thankful for 51 cent fuses!