Here's my proposed power supply setup.

I just want to get my numbers and logic correct. This is my plan, and I
would like to hear any comments, objections, errors or omissions to this
setup.



I've got three Shinano Kenshi steppers (4.2VDC, 3.5A) [8 wire], and one
Vexta stepping motor PK296-02AA (3A, 1oHm, documentation says 3V) [6
wire]



Which means I should be powering my steppers somewhere in the DC voltage
range of 16.8V to 105V (Shinano Kenshi), and 12V to 75V (Vexta); this
range is obtained from multiplying the motors sticker voltage by 4 (low
end) and 25 (high end).



The operating range of the Gecko G201 overlaps with the voltage ranges
found above. So running the gecko g201s somewhere between 24VDC and
75VDC should not be a problem.



The current/amperage setting should be 2/3 of the current rating on the
drive if ran in parallel - 1/3 of the current rating if ran in series.
[www.geckodrives.com]



Here's what how I'm going to hook it up [hope the formatting stays]:



Step down transformer; 120VAC to (between 17VAC and 57VAC)

- Bridge rectifier (gives me voltages between 24VDC and 80VDC) [above
range multiplied by 1.4]

- 4700 (four thousand seven hundred) uF capacitor (100V)



- 5 AMP fast blow fuse

- 470 uF (100V) (Z Axis)

- Gecko G201 (set at 2.3 A parallel or 1.2 A series)

Shinano Kenshi stepper (4.2V, 3.5A)



- 5 AMP fast blow fuse

- 470 uF (100V) (Z Axis)

- Gecko G201 (set at 2.3 A parallel or 1.2 A series)

Shinano Kenshi stepper (4.2V, 3.5A)



- 5 AMP fast blow fuse

- 470 uF (100V) (Z Axis)

- Gecko G201 (set at 2.3 A parallel or 1.2 A series)

Shinano Kenshi stepper (4.2V, 3.5A)



- 5 AMP fast blow fuse

- 470 uF (100V) (A Axis)

- Gecko G201 (set at 2 A parallel or 1 A series)

Vexta Stepping motor (3A, 1oHm, documents show 4.2V)



Every Gecko will get its own set of wires to and from the large
capacitor, arranged in a "star" power distribution.



Questions that I have:

1.) Any reasons why I should not be operate the drivers at the low end
or high end, 24VDC and 80VDC? Will life of the drives and/or motors be
killed? Will they not spin as fast if the voltage is lower on the end?



2.) Will this 4700 uF capacitor be able to help smooth out any problems
while the drives decelerate? Should I get a bigger one? If my 4700 uF
capacitor is not big enough, I have another 4700 uF capacitor -- could I
connect them in parallel to get approx. 9400 uF, instead of buying a
bigger capacitor if the need comes up? Are there any issues with this
parallel capacitor setup?



3.) On some people's setup, there is a 1.2K 5Watt bleed resistor on the
large cap, do I need that? What does it do? Do I need a Zener diode,
or is it a good idea to use one anyways?



4.) Since I have 4 axis (sometimes which only two are being used [x and
y]) will this effect any power issues? If all 4 axes are funning at the
same time, will this be too much of a drain on the system? If I only
use 2 of the axis in this 4 axis setup, will there be issues? And how
can I resolve them?



5.) When looking for a transformer, is there anything I should look for?
Are there any specific ratings I need for my setup? I have a 120VAC ->
24VAC transformer, that's rated for 1amp, is this too weak? Should I go
out and buy another 120->24VAC transformer that is also 1amp, and hook
them up in parallel? Can I even do this with AC power? Should I go out
and buy another transformer, if so at what sizes?



6.) Do I have my gecko G201 Amp settings correct for the drives? Or is
the AMP setting on the drive determined by means other than 2/3 and 1/3
pending on parallel or series (respectively)?



7.) If I run a stepper motor in parallel winding, is that more power or
more RPM? I know series would be the other.



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