Re: Gecko 201 drives, can I drive them directly with a Parallel port on my computer

Dan,

thanks for the immediate response, long time no talk...like about 12
years...in any event, I miss stated the grounding piece. What I
intended to say is the 65 vdc, the 5 vdc, as well as the parrallel
port and AC grounds are all common. I did not intend to say I had
grounded the +5vdc line.....it is just as you suggested, daisy
chained Gecko "commons" to the +5vdc supply.

So, do you have experience successfully driving the Gecko's directly
off a parrallel port? or do i need an interface board?

best regards

--- In CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com, "Dan Mauch" <dmauch@...>
wrote:

>
> The +5 must not be tied to ground . It should only be daisy

chained wired to

> the +5 common terminals of each drive. Nowhere else.
> Dan Mauch
> low cost stepper and servo motors.
> cases for Gecko drives
> kits and assembled 3-4 axis drives
> www.camtronics-cnc.com
> www.seanet.com/~dmauch
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jim Dubois" <jdubois@...>
> To: <CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 7:51 AM
> Subject: [CAD_CAM_EDM_DRO] Gecko 201 drives, can I drive them

directly with

> a Parallel port on my computer
>
>
> >I have a problem with Gecko drives not working, I am assuming I

have

> > done something stupid or have overlooked something....or will a

PC

> > parallel port not actually "sink" the required 16ma? I have used
> > the parallel port for control of many drivers, but for what ever
> > reason the Geckos are not working. This is my first effort with
> > Gekos....
> >
> > I have replaced a set of IMS drivers on a formerly functioning
> > controller with new out of the box Gecko 201 drivers. I have +65
> > vdc, tied to a chassis ground, I have +5vdc for the common

terminal

> > on the drives, also tied to chassis ground. The parallel port,

also

> > grounded properly, is communicating with the controller as I can
> > turn on and turn off the aux devices, ie spindle, coolant and the
> > like. The power light is "on" on the drives, the motors "lock".
> > Current setting on the drives is at default, 7 amps. No

connection

> > to the "disable" connection. There are no limit switches or other
> > complexity...just a 3 axis controller with 2 aux's and the aux's
> > work.
> >
> > I have checked out the controller with a different computer, no
> > change. I have verified the +5vdc to common stays steady. I

have

> > not been able to verify the TTL signals, no scope or logic trace
> > tools in house. But, it worked with the IMS...so...I would

think it

> > would work with Gecko.....
> >
> > any thoughts? do I need a parallel port interface card to drive

the

> > Gecko's?
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Addresses:
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