Gecko /Breakout board

[Doug Schwochert]

HI All Is it absolutly nessesary to have a breakout board on a gecko G340
Adds say that the Gecko Needs 16 MA to operate and PCs only put out 10 MA
other than for isolation for the computer do we really need one or is it a sales pitch from breakout board Mfgrs to sell there product. The reason I ask is I am loosing steps somewheres on my X axis only and want to eliminate or temporary eliminate my breakout board to see where the problem is.

Doug S

[CoAMarcus]

Breakout boards are not necessary, but you do run the risk of several things:

1.) Not getting the +5V you desperately need on the common pin, because most computers use 3.3V logic. This can cause missed steps and funny behavior.

2.) Crossed wiring is a horrible thing, and the chances of it happening go up tremendously when you run straight from the parallel.

3.) Isolation from your drive to the computer assures that if your $114 drive blows, it doesn't take your $1000 computer with it to add to the fun.

4.) Unless you have a G203V, the 10mA on the parallel port will kill you (not literally, but mentally, while trying to figure out why your drive does not run).

5.) Trying to control more than one axis with just a straight parallel port can be kind of tricky and/or messy.

A breakout board is not necessary if you can summon +5V rather than your standard 3.3V on modern computers, and if you can provide the 16mA that the drive requires. We have no affiliation with breakout board manufacturers, but there are four that we recommend because they use the 74ACT series ICs. They are listed below.

www.campbelldesigns.com
www.pmdx.com
www.cnc4pc.com
www.candcnc.com

Hope this helps!