Problem- Re Gecko Wiring Issues

[SPEEDRE]

As I have previously stated, my blind spot, and general ignorance, in all things electronic. I believe I have found my bug-a-boo. On the CNC4PC, C-10 BOB , Rev-8 doc. they illustrate a GECKO G320 and their revised BOB circuit board. In this illustration there are three leads going to the board indicating step and direction and 5 V. The 5 V lead is shown connecting to a point marked, com, on the bob circuit board. Well on my circuit board, a pre-revision model that connection is marked as GROUND or GND. I have attached a GECKO Manual doc. that clearly shows the G201 is different. Now, I think I am being Capt Obvious here but, should'nt the 5V from the Gecko be connected to a 5v power lead? I seem to have had the misconception that it went to the ground lead of the BOB. In the original weiring it was connected to a USB cord. I believe this, the USB. provided 5 VDC to the GECKO. If this sounds correct please confirm that, if I connected step, direction, and 5 VDC to terminals 2, GND, 3 on the Breakout Board I'd be wrong. and I should, connect to terminal 2, & 3, on the BOB and 5 VDC to a 5 VDC power lead.

[Mariss Freimanis]

Yes.

1) COMMON on the G201, G202 and G320 goes to +5VDC on your breakout board. For all these drives, if you are using Mach3 as your CNC program, set STEP to 'ACTIVE LOW' in 'ports and pins', set STEP PULSE WIDTH to '2 microseconds' in 'motor tuning'.

2) If you are using a G203V, G250 or a G251, COMMON goes to GND on your breakout board. For all these drives, if you are using Mach3 as your CNC program, set STEP to 'ACTIVE HIGH' in 'ports and pins', set STEP PULSE WIDTH to '2 microseconds' in 'motor tuning'.

3) If you are using a G210, G212 or a G340, the INPUT OPTION header allows you to set COMMON to either +5VDC or GND. Your setting of the INPUT OPTION header then follow (1) or (2) to finish-up depending on your selection.

Why the confusing choice of the term COMMON? Common means 'shared' not necessarily 'ground'. The drives get used in a lot of non-CNC applications using PLCs and other sources for step/direction control. PLCs usually have 24VDC outputs so we couldn't call 'COMMON' as '+5VDC'. I know this can introduce confusion but I don't have a better alternative. That is why the manuals for our drive are worth the short read required since they cover the meaning and use of the COMMON terminal.

Mariss

[tauntdesigns]

The BOB has a jumper for the com pins to be either ground or 5v. set jumper where the com pins are 5v.

[acondit]

Originally Posted by SPEEDRE As I have previously stated, my blind spot, and general ignorance, in all things electronic. I believe I have found my bug-a-boo. On the CNC4PC, C-10 BOB , Rev-8 doc. they illustrate a GECKO G320 and their revised BOB circuit board. In this illustration there are three leads going to the board indicating step and direction and 5 V. The 5 V lead is shown connecting to a point marked, com, on the bob circuit board. Well on my circuit board, a pre-revision model that connection is marked as GROUND or GND. I have attached a GECKO Manual doc. that clearly shows the G201 is different. Now, I think I am being Capt Obvious here but, should'nt the 5V from the Gecko be connected to a 5v power lead? I seem to have had the misconception that it went to the ground lead of the BOB. In the original weiring it was connected to a USB cord. I believe this, the USB. provided 5 VDC to the GECKO. If this sounds correct please confirm that, if I connected step, direction, and 5 VDC to terminals 2, GND, 3 on the Breakout Board I'd be wrong. and I should, connect to terminal 2, & 3, on the BOB and 5 VDC to a 5 VDC power lead.

Speedre,

You are correct. If your board doesn't have the jumper to set "common" to +5V, then you want to wire pin 10 of the Geckos either to a 5v input to the BOB or to a 5VDC power lead. Use you VOM and check that the terminal between 2&3 is in fact gnd and not 5V.

Alan

[SPEEDRE]

O,K, I had hoped my logic was correct. So how do I confirm it is a ground, and what, should my Ohm meter read, in either case??

[acondit]

Well with the board powered up it (the terminal between 2 & 3) should read 0V if it is ground. Check from the Ground by the power input. With the board powered off, set you VOM to ohms and check from Ground by the power input to the terminal between 2 and 3. If it is ground it should read 0 ohms resistance.

Alan

[Mariss Freimanis]

SPEEDRE,

I don't understand your question. Please rephrase it.

Mariss

[CoAMarcus]

I think the problem has been resolved. He made a new post describing the solution.

http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=58890

Marcus