Motors do not react at all.

[Crawler374]

I'm having some problems. My stepper motors do not react to anything. once they are in the board, they do not take any action what so ever. They do not lock, hiss, move...nothing.

I am using the Mach3 free software.

I have over looked everything multiple times for problems, but so far, nothing looks wrong. My solder joints are clean, no bridges. I have tested out my board and it is reading 5.2v and my fan works.

Is there a way to test if my motors are getting any voltage?

Is there a way to test if my board is a Dud, or possible something is blown?

I have NEVER used my kit, it was finally completed last night.

[machinehop5]

Hi Clawler,
Any jumpers missing...like maybe EStop enable/disable?

[Crawler374]

Hi Hop,

No, everything appears to be correct and in the right order. My motors should lock up reguardless if i am hooked to the computer, or the software.

[lsalme]

I'm no expert but i did build and i am running a Hobbycnc Pro board. Have you adjusted the amperage for each axis according to the Hobbycnc instructions? After this in my build i copied the Mach3 *.XML file for the Hobbycnc controller found i believe on the Hobbycnc Yahoo group site. Then i ran the port test in Mach to determine that the PC port will output correctly.

[achavarria]

OK. - Are you using a 4 6 or 8 wire motors. All can be used if you do the right connection?
2- Do you test the motor along?
3- Do you check your parallel port signals?
4- Do you test the clock pulse from the Mach3?
5- First, re-check all connection, 90% error due bad contact.

This are the basic checks

[diyengineer]

REFLOW ALL solder points. took me 3 times of reflowing to get it right even though they looked mint and i can solder pretty damn good.

[donpr]

I also used a bench magnifer, @ checked for bridges, some components are very close together.good luck

[diyengineer]

What is this XML file you speak of? I'm not using any XML file @ all and my steppers (300 oz), 4 of them work perfectly fine.

[diyengineer]

I'm no expert but i did build and i am running a Hobbycnc Pro board. Have you adjusted the amperage for each axis according to the Hobbycnc instructions? After this in my build i copied the Mach3 *.XML file for the Hobbycnc controller found i believe on the Hobbycnc Yahoo group site. Then i ran the port test in Mach to determine that the PC port will output correctly.

And the port test said it was fine? Did you have power applied to the controller when you hooked up the steppers? did you wait atleast 30 minutes to disconnect the steppers from the controller with the controller unplugged from the wall? You may of blew your controller chips. What are your voltage readings on the board are they all correct?

[ianober]

I am having this exact same problem. I have one board that I am using for my lathe and it works perfectly but now I am setting up a 3 axis Joes CNC and I am not getting power to the motors. I am going to start tonight by reflowing all of the joints. My voltages are all correct at the test points so I am not sure what the deal is.

[ianober]

I am having the exact same problem. All tests came out as they should, axis voltages set and parallel port passed test. Not sure what the problem is but I am going to check all my solder joints. None of my motors seem to be getting power at all.

[jstevens]

Hey guys, I just found this thread and I know it is a little old but I was wondering if you ever got your board going? I just purchased and finished my pro chopper from hobbycnc as well and My motors are in the same boat. no movement what so ever. I upgraded from the old hobbycnc econo board and all was well before hand. Just curious as to what you had experienced and what I could possibly check for.