10v source for spindle VFD
- mooser
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01 Mar 2026 21:06 #343700
by mooser
10v source for spindle VFD was created by mooser
For no real good reason I'd like to change my lathe from using 0-5v to control the spindle to 0-10v.
The VFD is an old VFD05-D230 and it has the options of 0-5V, 0-10V and 4-20mA and supplies it's own 5v if you are using a potentiometer so it looks like I just wired my 7i76 (old version connected to a 6i25 via DB25 cable) in place of the pot. I can't find any way that VFD will supply 10vdc so I need to use an external power supply but most are 5 or 12 (when I say most I mean all the ones I have here and the quick look at meanwell online. Digikey ones quickly jump to well over $100)
I know 0-10 is closer to standard but what are you using for supplies? Is a 12-10 buck converter ok? Can I "turn down" a meanwell 12v to 10 without killing it?
Just asking what some options are
Thanks
The VFD is an old VFD05-D230 and it has the options of 0-5V, 0-10V and 4-20mA and supplies it's own 5v if you are using a potentiometer so it looks like I just wired my 7i76 (old version connected to a 6i25 via DB25 cable) in place of the pot. I can't find any way that VFD will supply 10vdc so I need to use an external power supply but most are 5 or 12 (when I say most I mean all the ones I have here and the quick look at meanwell online. Digikey ones quickly jump to well over $100)
I know 0-10 is closer to standard but what are you using for supplies? Is a 12-10 buck converter ok? Can I "turn down" a meanwell 12v to 10 without killing it?
Just asking what some options are
Thanks
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- tommylight
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01 Mar 2026 21:14 #343701
by tommylight
Replied by tommylight on topic 10v source for spindle VFD
Most decent power supplies do have an adjustment pot, clearly visible and marked on DIN rail mount types, not clearly visible on the mesh metal cased ones.
It is much easier to use two diodes in series wired to positive of 12V on one side and to Mesa +10V on the other side, that will drop the voltage by 1.2-1.3V and should be perfectly fine for the VFD. Mind the polarity, the line on the diodes goes towards the Mesa board.
It is much easier to use two diodes in series wired to positive of 12V on one side and to Mesa +10V on the other side, that will drop the voltage by 1.2-1.3V and should be perfectly fine for the VFD. Mind the polarity, the line on the diodes goes towards the Mesa board.
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- mooser
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01 Mar 2026 23:08 #343702
by mooser
Replied by mooser on topic 10v source for spindle VFD
I do know about the pot on the PSUs but wasn't sure dialing it down 2volts was a great long-term choice. Dropping in a few diodes makes sense, I'm guessing the current draw on a VFD control would be minimal. I should have a bunch of 1n4001 laying around here somewhere lol.
Thanks
M
Thanks
M
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- dbtayl
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01 Mar 2026 23:35 - 01 Mar 2026 23:38 #343704
by dbtayl
Replied by dbtayl on topic 10v source for spindle VFD
You can look for a "10v reference". Those will output 10V, can be had reasonably inexpensively (either as boards or single parts, based on a 30-second eBay search), and should work so long as you're not drawing much current. That's what I was going to use to control my spindle until I decided that avoiding analog would be ideal (it's a servo, so quadrature input is what I ended up going with).
If a 12V supply will let you adjust it low enough (or a 9V supply high enough), that will also work, and you're not going to harm it at all by doing so unless the manufacturer did something really strange. That's probably the easiest approach.
Series diodes should also work as long as you don't have varying loads. Not a fan of that solution mostly because it's not "right".
If you're up for soldering, plenty of adjustable regulators out there- eg www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmic...ronics/LM317T/591677 You can probably find breakout boards for something that will give you 10V by just changing a resistor.
All that said, I would leave it as-is if it's working- the fewer parts/wires/etc. the better IMO. It's your machine, though, so if you think 0-10V would be better or you'd have fun doing it or something, have at it.
If a 12V supply will let you adjust it low enough (or a 9V supply high enough), that will also work, and you're not going to harm it at all by doing so unless the manufacturer did something really strange. That's probably the easiest approach.
Series diodes should also work as long as you don't have varying loads. Not a fan of that solution mostly because it's not "right".
If you're up for soldering, plenty of adjustable regulators out there- eg www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/stmic...ronics/LM317T/591677 You can probably find breakout boards for something that will give you 10V by just changing a resistor.
All that said, I would leave it as-is if it's working- the fewer parts/wires/etc. the better IMO. It's your machine, though, so if you think 0-10V would be better or you'd have fun doing it or something, have at it.
Last edit: 01 Mar 2026 23:38 by dbtayl.
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- mooser
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02 Mar 2026 00:31 #343708
by mooser
Replied by mooser on topic 10v source for spindle VFD
Like I said, not really a good reason to change.
Right now it's running a really old Minirak drive, basically analog, trim pots, etc. Works but it's starting to fade. My hope is to bandaid it enough until I can swap in something more modern, like from the last decade or so
The 5 volt signal seems to pick up a lot of noise and a slight drop there is a noticeable drop on the motor so was hoping that dropping in a separate supply would improve it and stepping up to 10v might help or at least be less of an affect on the motor speed change.
I'll see what I can come up with between the 12v supplies I've got and the multitude of diodes in other drawers.
Thanks for the input
M
Right now it's running a really old Minirak drive, basically analog, trim pots, etc. Works but it's starting to fade. My hope is to bandaid it enough until I can swap in something more modern, like from the last decade or so
The 5 volt signal seems to pick up a lot of noise and a slight drop there is a noticeable drop on the motor so was hoping that dropping in a separate supply would improve it and stepping up to 10v might help or at least be less of an affect on the motor speed change.
I'll see what I can come up with between the 12v supplies I've got and the multitude of diodes in other drawers.
Thanks for the input
M
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