Re: Capacitors for Geckos when using fuses

Hi Jim,

you ask two questions here.

#1 470uF AT THE TERMIANL connector of the Gecko. required if you place
ANYTHING between the main cap and the gecko OR if the lines are longer
than the listed 18 inches.

there are lots of posts that address this. the main thing is that the
switching of the gecko will encounter voltage spikes from the stepper.
the on-board cap on the gecko can handle some of this while the main
cap handles the rest.

and yes, as long as the voltage rating of the cap is well over the
power supply the cap is fine. your 24 volts power supply will operate
fine with a 35V cap.

#2 main capacitor. check the gecko white paper on the cap sizing.
again, as long as the voltage well above the power supply it is fine,
but the cap size needs to be suffiecnt for the amp load of the system.

You didn't list the total amps of all your steppers, but you need to
total all motors for the main cap sizing.

cap uF rating is = (80,000 x total motors amps) / ps voltage

example is if you have 3 steppers at 3 amps. you have 9 amps total

80,000 x 9 = 720,000
720,000 / 24 = 30,000uF
so you would need a total of 30,000uF with a rating of 35 volts.

www.jameco.com has them for low cost, about $5.00 each for 10,000uF/
35volt

the 470uF/35volt are less than $1.00 each.

Dave

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@y..., "jagco1998" <jagco1998@y...> wrote:
> I have a few more dumb questions....
> I dont want to burn anything up, in using components that are
> incapable of handling voltage/currents correctly.
> The gecko white papers say that when using a 5A fast-blow fuse to
> protect the drivers, that a 470uF 100V cap needs to be placed on
> across power leads.
>
> My 1st question is this..Can a 470uF 35V cap be used, instead of
> 100V as the white papers suggest? I can find them at every elec.
> supplier in my small town of residence.
>
> I am only using a 24Vdc/10A switching power supply to power 3 gecko
> G201's, and have already placed a 4700uF 35V cap across the PS
> outputs(I couldnt find anything larger than 35V. I live in the
> sticks!)
>
> Also, is the 4700uF 35V cap going to be sufficient for my PS?
> Without the cap, a dig. voltagemeter across the output leads tell me
> that the power only fluctuates from 24V to 24.2V no load.
>
> I realize that this probably will become a substantially larger
> fluctutation once a load is applied.
>
> Will a spike or short in the power going to the motors damage them
> if not protected with a fuse? Would it be wise to also fuse the
> lines going to the motors also, or is this necessary?
>
> Any suggestions or comments will be appreciated.
> Thanks.
>
> Regards,
> Jim