- Configuring LinuxCNC
- Configuration Tools
- PnCConf Wizard
- Can not get stepper motors to move with Gecko g250x drivers
Can not get stepper motors to move with Gecko g250x drivers
- moretoyswins
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 1
I have not given up on the Gecko G250X, but I must get this controller working ASAP. As such, I have ordered DM556T stepper drives, which others seem to have working with LinuxCNC and Mesa boards. Unfortunately, it will take a few days to get them.
I hope the DM556T will be more plug-and-play than the G250Xs seem to be. Of course, this means I have to rearrange and rewire half of the control box. Maybe I will get it right this time! I still need to figure out outputs as they seem to be NC when I thought they would be NO.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- tommylight
- Online
- Moderator
- Posts: 19373
- Thank you received: 6485
I still think there is something not right with the wiring and all the jumps through the cabling, so if you are willing to investigate further, use a DVM set to measure resistance and check:
-if the G250 has the same gnd for step/dir and power
-if the signal gnd is the same with Mesa signal gnd
pretty sure the last one will not be 0 ohm, but do check that and report back, powered off when measuring.
If it does end up not being 0 ohm, use a 10-100 ohm resistor between the G250 gnd and Mesa signal gnd, then power on and test.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- moretoyswins
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 1
I use the term “about” to indicate the measurements flicker 0.0 to 0.3 but settles around 0.3 and for the other 18.88 - 18.93 but settles around 18.9.
Is that what you were suggesting I check?
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- tommylight
- Online
- Moderator
- Posts: 19373
- Thank you received: 6485
G250 screw terminal from your reply should have common on pin 30
Check those two points, they must be 0 ohm or thereabouts as DVM usually show 0.1-0.3 ohm for dead short.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- moretoyswins
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 1
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- tommylight
- Online
- Moderator
- Posts: 19373
- Thank you received: 6485
-
Another thing to test, when the machine is powered on, use the DVM to measure first DC voltage between those pins, then AC voltage between those two pins.
Should be 0V to max 0.1V to allow for measuring errors.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- moretoyswins
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 1
AC Voltage 0.000 => 0.002 V (no idea why this is expressed in V vs mV)
DC Voltage -0.0 => -0.1 mV (not sure why negative, as even switching leads gives the same negative readings)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- moretoyswins
- Offline
- Junior Member
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 1
I ordered the DM556T last week and they got here late today. Doing a quick test without changing any of the existing wiring other than to disconnect one G250X. Because the G250X uses 4 leads for power and motor phase connections, I just wire nutted three of the leads on each of the split cables and nutted the signal GND, since the DM556T seems to only uses the motor power GND. I wired up one DM556T using the single lead of each of the slit cables and I added the Step - and DIR - connection. Ran pncconf wizard, using most of the values I did for the G250X, other than not selecting the G540p as the driver. And ...I have not given up on the Gecko G250X, but I must get this controller working ASAP. As such, I have ordered DM556T stepper drives, which others seem to have working with LinuxCNC and Mesa boards. Unfortunately, it will take a few days to get them.
Test motor turned both directions without issue. It is difficult to tell if my setting are correct, but I can work on that when I have everything wired.
Next, I need to gut my control box to swap the DM556Ts in for the G250Xs!
Again, I wish to express my appreciation to TommyLight and PCW for their help. I know I still have a long way to go, but at least I feel I have moved forward.
Thanks
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- tommylight
- Online
- Moderator
- Posts: 19373
- Thank you received: 6485
I would rather get a new box, less work and leave the existing one as is since it works with GRBL, or rewire for parallel port maybe? I know i would!S
Next, I need to gut my control box to swap the DM556Ts in for the G250Xs!
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- rodw
- Offline
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 10702
- Thank you received: 3531
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Configuring LinuxCNC
- Configuration Tools
- PnCConf Wizard
- Can not get stepper motors to move with Gecko g250x drivers