Power supply research

[CanopyFx]

here are the steppers I am thinking about going with. And the Gecko 201 drivers.
#23-200-DS, 200oz-in, 3v, 3A, 200 S/R,
2.3mH, Size #23, Dual Shaft, 6 wire

I have access to a 48VDC power supply, but I am wondering how the current rating comes in to play with the steppers. If I am going to use 4 steppers (2 x asis, 1 y and z axsis). do I need to have 12 amps available? I would be commom sense that if I have 4 3A steppers I need 12A total. I just want to check before I secure a power supply. I can get a 48VDC 20A or 40A power supply from work and I did not want to get the 20A one if there is some crazy calculation I do not know about.

Thanks

[DieGuy]

Have a look at this thread http://cnczone.com/forums/showthread.php?t=10091

Generally you won't need a full load on all axis, a good rule of thumb seems to be about 2/3 of the total.

[CanopyFx]

Thanks for the info. I did find that thread on a search and it mostly talked about making a power supply from a microwave. I can make one but I would much rather buy one. I will plan for about 10 amps to run 4 steppers. That opens up other power supply options to me.

Thanks
Joe

[DieGuy]

Originally Posted by CanopyFx Thanks for the info. I did find that thread on a search and it mostly talked about making a power supply from a microwave. I can make one but I would much rather buy one. I will plan for about 10 amps to run 4 steppers. That opens up other power supply options to me. Thanks Joe

Actually if you read the whole thread, Javadog :woof: is building a nice PSU for use with Gecko drives from scratch, transformers, rectifier, and cap(s).

[CJL5585]

48 Volts @ 10 Amps will operate the 4 steppers in your post. (plus 3 more)

I have built 2 or 3 control boxes using
48 Volt supplies. One of them provided 16 Amps. The supply transformer is cold to the touch even after several hours of operation.

My personal system uses 48 Volts. I am running 3 ea. Pacific Scientific Powermax II steppers. These are rated at 2.71 Volts @ 4.6 Amps each.
My 48 Volt supply is rated at 300 Watts or 6.25 Amps. ( 300 divided by 48 V)
I am running the motors in bi-polar series. The motors allow 300 inches per minute feedrate, with more than sufficient torque. The 48 Volt power supply doesn't even get warm, but is using the chassis as a heatsink.

If I were wiring your system, I would isolate the center wire on each phase of the motor, and connect the 2 outside wires to A and B on the Gecko. I would do the same for the second winding C and D.

You will need a 5 Amp fuse (rated at 250 Volts fastblow) in each of the +48 volt lines to each Gecko drive.

Hope this helps.
Jerry