Has anyone built Kleinbauer's Perf-X3X?

[salvaCNC]

I built the board but not making my motors move at all. I am still doing tests but would like to know if someone else has built this board. Thanks

[johnnyb]

I built this board about 2 years ago and although it's not a chopper it worked well for me. Was driving 127 oz. steppers using a 48V power supply (had to replace the TIP 120s to a high amp version, don't remember the number). I was getting around 60 IPM using acme 1/2-10 leadscrews. I am now using the hobby cnc chopper board for more speed. I am going to use John's board when I convert my South Bend metal lathe over to CNC soon.

Hope you resolve your issues with the board, do the motors lockup, can you turn them when you supply power to the board?

John

[salvaCNC]

In my first attempt, I powered the board and nothing happened. I set up TurboCNC just like the manual recommended. But I suspect may my parallel port is messed. I read the following voltages:
Pin 2: 0.24 V
Pin 3: 0.24 V
Pin 4: 5.00 V
Pin 5: 0.02 V
Pin 6: 0.02 V
Pin 7: 0.02 V

[johnnyb]

Are you using a laptop or desktop? I have a few IBM laptops and a old Compaq the Compaq seems to be the only laptop I have that will work with John's or the Hobbycnc board.

[salvaCNC]

I am using an old 486 PC given to me for free. Long time ago, I tested the HobbyCNC board and it did not work either. Today, I am purchasing a used PIII to run aditional tests. I will let you know. Thanks for the replies.

[GaryCorlew]

The p port has to put out 5 volts or it will not work with any boards that I know of there are a few bobs that will work with 3.3 volt p ports

[salvaCNC]

THis is an update. I found out the printer cable I was using was badly wired. I decided to make my own. Also, I upgraded the CPU from the 486 to a Celeron 400 MHz with WIN98. I switched from turbocnc 3.x to TCNC 4.x. and ran tests under DOS mode.

I used a LED board right on the LPT1 port of the CPU and noticed when TCNC got started all LEDS went bright. All STEP/DIR pin numbers were setup according to Perf-X instructions.

I thought everything was OK now, so I hooked back the Perf-X to the CPU with the new cable. But.......still no stepping. Not sure what to look for now since I read you need an oscilloscope to check the "STEP" signal from the port just in case this is the failure, but I doubt it.

Thanks for all the help guys.