Gecko 203V or MCP's MSD556 ?

[Argofanatic]

Hi, I can't descide what to buy to drive my pac-sci steppers (5.5A @ 35V).
Any pros and cons for these drivers, which one is a better choice?.

I am planning on buying a GRex to control everything.


Thanks,
Marc.

[ger21]

The Gecko 203V is supposed to be indestructable, as far as wiring goes. Bad wiring can't kill it, bad motors can't kill it. Too much voltage can't kill it.

[mcpltd]

Our drivers also have over voltage and short circuit protection.
That is standard on most drivers.

Both drivers are about the same, but the MSD556 does have the edge on things like:
1) Higher resolution. (25600 over 2000)
2) Higher step rate (400Khz over 350 Khz)
3) No need for external resisters (all currents and resolutions are set with switches)
4) Optically isolated differential input signals.

If you can get away with 4.2A the MSD542 is a very good drive for the money (£33.00) about $66

[pminmo]

I suspect the msd556 won't give you full power capability of your 5.5A motor. The rating is a peak rating, there was a long thread over peak ratings of MSD drives and their advertising here on the zone some month's back. You can search for.

Maybe I'm missing something, but there doesn't seem to be a manual online to view the setup procedure. There was at the time of that discussion.

[mcpltd]

All stepper drivers are rated peak, it is just we also reffer to the RMS figure as well.
The Gecko is rated peak, just like the msd range.
Marris confirmed that in the thread that you are reffering to.

Originally Posted by pminmo I suspect the msd556 won't give you full power capability of your 5.5A motor. The rating is a peak rating, there was a long thread over peak ratings of MSD drives and their advertising here on the zone some month's back. You can search for. Maybe I'm missing something, but there doesn't seem to be a manual online to view the setup procedure. There was at the time of that discussion.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

I have been using the MSD556 drivers for about a year now for approximately 4-8hrs/day

Set up 4.9 Amps PEAK and 42vdc.

In that time I did have one develop a fault which was replace within a reasonable amount of time. Other than that I have had no other problems.

Support via email and phone, I would say was very good.

Nothing else to add other than I am a happy customer and would buy from them again without hesitation.

Regards,

John

[Argofanatic]

Thanks for the comments guys.
I think I'm leaning towards the MSD556.

I'm hopeing that 3 of these married to a GRex will drive my 10mm ball screws to CNC bliss.

P.S. Stay posted for my construction pics coming soon. I've got $2k worth of aluminum just waiting to be bolted together !

Marc.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

Originally Posted by Argofanatic Thanks for the comments guys. I think I'm leaning towards the MSD556. I'm hopeing that 3 of these married to a GRex will drive my 10mm ball screws to CNC bliss. P.S. Stay posted for my construction pics coming soon. I've got $2k worth of aluminum just waiting to be bolted together ! Marc.

Good luck with your build and if you do buy the MSD556’s and have any probs setting things up (not suggesting you will) give me a shout and I will do my best to help or at least point you in the right direction .

Regards,

John

[pminmo]

Originally Posted by mcpltd All stepper drivers are rated peak, it is just we also reffer to the RMS figure as well. The Gecko is rated peak, just like the msd range. Marris confirmed that in the thread that you are reffering to.

Where are your documents for the drive? Like we went through the last time, A G201 will run a 5.5A motor at full 5.5A, the mds556 will run it at 4A.

[Oldmanandhistoy]

http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co....0datasheet.pdf



What is the peak rating for the G210?

Regards,

John

[mcpltd]

The Peak Rating of all the Gecko drivers is 7A
The Peak raging of our MSD556 is 5.6A.

Originally Posted by Oldmanandhistoy http://www.motioncontrolproducts.co....0datasheet.pdf What is the peak rating for the G210? Regards, John

[Argofanatic]

Hmm, I remember reading the thread that you mention pminmo during my research.

I'm gonna need all the torque I can get, so I will need that extra 1.5 amps.

How about this, rather than using the MSD556 If I were to go with the MSD980 and configure it for 5.7A then I should get what I'm paying for ?

Marc.