Re: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Re: need a transformer

Jesse,

This can be discouraging at times. I would definitely try a different power supply. There is (was maybe) a guy (johnango?) on Ebay that sells large toroids. He sells two 55-0-55 800va transformers for like $120. You can parallel the two together to make a transformer that would be large enough. I would try that.. Thats is the toroids I use for mine.

If that doesn't work, I'd switch it over to servos. You'll already have everything less the servos and the drives. You can sell your drives and motors on Ebay and it will be almost a wash costwise. Stepper motors sell for the same as servos on Ebay. Or send the motors back and sell the drives.

I have two Bridgeports running Mach3 with Gecko 320's and servos and they are great machines. 132 ipm rapids, both are rock solid, never any troubles. Actually, Dan Mauch (Camtronics)sells a 14 lb-in Nema 34 servo. Used with like 2:1 or greater reduction would be good for a Bridgeport. Recommended are: servos in the 20 lb-in range at least 2:1 reduction for X snd Y.

I see alot of folks trying to run large iron on steppers and have other than great performance with them. Not saying it cant be done.

Hang in there, you'll get it, Ron

rebel307 <rebel307@...> wrote:
Thanks to the 3 who replied.
I am useing basically an isolation tranformer then I got a variac for the power supply. I have been told over and over to get rid of the variac and get a "real" transformer. Art of mach software told me that himself. Mariss of gecko told me that. They both also said to get a transformer that will output the current rated for all 3 steppers put togather and add a tad bit more for a 4th axis.
I am useing 1200oz/in steppers for X&Y and one 1780oz/in for the Z. All of them came from homeshopcnc.com. the 1200s require 6amp, the 1780 requires 6.2amp. You are saying use less amps, I put smaller resistors on the gecko to see if it would work with less amps, made the problem worse. I took the resistors out, didnt help so I put the values in to give me the motors rated current. Cap in the power supply is a 80,000MFD the caps on the drives are 470uF as gecko said. I am not an electronics expert, dont claim to be but I know that my machine isnt working and nothing anybody has said as helped other then get a real transformer.
The problem, the motors insted of moving when a program tells them to move lock up. Its actually ok while jogging around, throw a program in and all hell breaks loose, they stall constantly. Make a rapid feed more then 30IPM on X&Y and more then 10IPM on the Z and your asking for it. I am beginning to think I should sell off the control and just go back the reliable way,,, manual.
Jessie

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