Hypertherm Powermax Voltage Divider, Preference for THAD-10

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02 Apr 2025 12:55 #325512 by EW_CNC
Which voltage divider setting is prefferred for a Hypertherm Powermax plasma cutter when connected to a Mesa THAD-10?
The options are 20:1 _ 21.1:1 _ 30:1 _ 40:1 _ 50:1
Is one preferred over the other for better resolution or response time?
 

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02 Apr 2025 16:15 #325526 by grijalvap
50:1 worked well you can use the THCAD10 without any modification, 
Some good practices are:
-Place THCAD10 as close as possible to the Plasma power supply.
-Use a shield cable and connect the shield to GND on one side only.
-Use a ferrite bead on the control side to reduce induced noise 
 

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02 Apr 2025 21:20 #325548 by rodw
It depends on your machine amperage. No scaling resistors are rwquired. Most people use 20:1 which gives a 200 volt full scale, 125 amps might be better at 30:1. (300 volts)
The thing is that the THCAD is rated for overvoltage of 500 volts. The voltage will only go over 200 volts on piercing when we do not care about the voltage then. During cutting voltage is between 100-170 volts. Keeping the max voltage range low means the readings are more accurate as more of the ADC's range is used. 50:1 is popular with a lot of non-linuxcnc THC's  (probably with a 0-5 volt ADC). That would be better for a THCAD5.

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02 Apr 2025 21:34 #325551 by snowgoer540
Short answer:

My Powermax is paired with a THCAD-10.  I changed it to 20:1.  It’s served me well with no issues over the years.

Long answer:

forum.linuxcnc.org/plasmac/39999-thcad-1...powermax45-xp#181612

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03 Apr 2025 16:30 #325628 by grijalvap
I Agree with you regarding the Optimisation of the dynamic range (headroom) of the AD converter.
will double check all the machines most of them are hyperterm 85, 105,125 and maxpro 250.
so I need to check max voltage and select the proper divide ratio
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05 Apr 2025 03:56 #325739 by tommylight
25:1 :)
20:1 or 30:1 as i fully agree with Rod and Snowwy, it gives a better working range, although it will be very hard to actually see any difference in normal use, but might be noticeable at very high feed rates as it would track better the surface of the material. Never actually tried to notice as no plans for it, it works and it works very good.
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06 Apr 2025 00:42 #325785 by EW_CNC
Thanks for the input!
I used 20:1 on the Hypertherm Powermax 85 and F/32 on the THAD-10.
I switched from 50:1 and F/1 settings, but I did not notice any substantial difference.
I just finally updated my CNC Plasma table from PlasmaC to QtPlasmaC.
It's been on the to do list for a very long time and I finally got it done. So far I like the update, sometimes it pays to stop, and "sharpen the axe"!
My Hypertherm Powermax 85 had been giving a service code and needed repair. It took a replacement main circuit board.
Hypertherm plasma cutters have served me well. I have been using this one for a lot of cutting since 2014.

 
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