MY HobbyCNCPro Package Step by Step

[diarmaid]

Ok,

So I wired up my AC switch as follows:

AC mains live from plug to Switch.
AC mains neutral from plug to switch.
Switch output live to transformer.
Switch output neutral to 4Amp fuse.
Fuse output neutral to transformer.
(Edit: This wiring explanation has since changed to put the fuse on the Live wire not the neutral. See Post 133 below.)

You can see that I needed to splice some wires in Pic 1, as I have started to run out of 13Amp mains, and dont want to cut my mains input again.

You can also see the hole in Pic's 3, 4 & 5 from the old switch which was too big to fit my new one. I'm gonna make a plug to fill this with 'Polymorph' plastic.

The switch is shown in the 'ON' position in Pic 5 and it works like a dream! Also, the red "Missile Style" cover is spring loaded, so if you tap it, it springs down and turns the switch off, so its kinda like an 'e-stop' aswell......I really like my switch...

Even bigz will have to admit its a nice switch!

[diarmaid]

I re-checked my solders again and found nothing. I also touched up some iffy looking solders just in case. My middle potentiometer still wouldn't work correctly. So I decided to completely remove it (oops!) and re-solder it in again after examining it. I don't have a de-soldering pump, and I now know that de-soldering is much harder than soldering.

To make a long story short, my potentiometer came off but the three leads stayed on. I got the leads out of the board eventually, and am hoping I didnt wreck the holes for the potentiometer leads, they're a bit messy and the little metal ring surround on one of them is gone! I tried to DIY repair my potentiometer but couldn't solder one of the leads back on. I made a total mess of it and had to throw it in the bin.

I've emailed HCNC to get a replacement, and am just waiting on a price so I can get it ASAP. Obviously, Im not going to have this finished this weekend anymore. New day new problem......

[bigz1]

The wiring for the switch is looking good. Now you have the time how about looking at that capacitor again???????

Overall pics would be usefull.

[diarmaid]

Once again Dave Rigotti at HCNC has very generously offered to bale me out of my hole of inexperience. He's sending me a new potentiometer via air mail.

Liam, I'm not sure exactly what you mean but I'll post an overall pic of the box and edit it to have some text detail for all the 'stuff'.....do you like my switch?

[bigz1]

Switch is very cool. Hopefully it won't detonate the contents once its flipped.LOL

[diarmaid]

Heres the overall pic's as requested. I know it doesn't look like much but its temporary so I can just get my router built.

This is as currently stands. You can see some cracks in the side of the box from when I was drilling. It is only a cheap $10 plastic box after all! I'm going to glue these up using cynoacrylate. They are really irritating, but it'll do fine until I use it with my router to carve a nice wooden box.

You can see I have installed a plastic plug using my 'Polymorph'. Its really cool stuff by the way. Melts to a putty like texture when heated above 60deg. Then hardens like a rock as it cools slowly. Really cool. You can buy it in 'Maplins'. Not sure where in the states. Can be used for anything, and machined after it hardens!

Anyway....you can also see what all my wires are going to/from, and I have covered any possible method of electric shock with white insulating tape.

And there's a pic showing the location of the parallel port on the opposite side of the box to the mains input.

EDIT:

I HAVE CHANGED MY WIRING AS THE FUSE CONNECTIONS SHOWN HERE ARE WRONG. ALSO, MY CAPACITOR CONNECTION NOW MORE CLOSELY REPRESENTS THE HCNC INSTRUCTIONS. SEE POST 133 BELOW.

[audioandy1762]

Hi Diarmaid

Glad to see you have sorted out your switch, BUT why have you fused the neutral? The fuse should go on the LIVE side of the circuit. The same should apply with the DC side of the circuit also, looking at your picture, it looks like you have fused the negative side not the positive. I am not familiar with your kit, but it does seem strange and unconventional to do what you have done.

Andy

[diarmaid]

Thats true. I also thought I should have fused the live side, but the diagram just showed two wires coming in from the mains, and it has them both as 'black', it may be a misprint, but I figured I was asking enough questions as it was! I'll check on the HCNC forum....oh heck, I hope I dont have to change my wires around again.....

[bigz1]

Yep the fuse should be in the live wire to transformer(as per Dave's diagram). Disconnect wire from bridge - that leads to TB6. It should be TB6 - via 10Amp fuse to capacitor. An additional wire should connect from bridge - to capacitor -. Diconnect + wire from bridge to TB6. It should be TB6 + to capacitor +.

Hope this helps.

[diarmaid]

lol... bigz you really have to get over the whole capacitor thing! If it works, dont fix it!! ( I'll probably change it tomorrow since I have to do the fuses now anyway and your capacitor obsession has worn me down to a shadow of my former self! )

But re the fuse, yes you are right, confirmed by HCNC it is the live wire....stupid diagram...grrr

Anyway. I'll change it tomorrow, but can't test it until I get my new potentiometer. Dont want to risk putting power through the board before that. According to Dave my PCB is still ok. At least thats good news.

Oh well, 1 step forwards, 2 steps back.......etc etc

[bigz1]

Be carefull Diarmaid. Its only a ferrry ride to Ireland. You don't want a wild eyed scouser turning up on your doorstep.

For now I will just pull out my hair and scream at the screen.

Gnight from a slightly Anal BIGZ. LOL

[diarmaid]

lol. Night m8.