a while back i decided, hey how hard could it be? and got an old novakon nm-135 and set out teaching myself how to machine with the goal of making some brake caliper adapters for my racecar. well, between the vertical learning curve and old things letting out the smoke, i have one adapter made....

the letting out the smoke has lead be to bite the bullet and replace all the steppers, drivers and breakout board.

i am still using the old win xp computer as my old laptop needs a good rehab before it's useable for anything again.

at this point i have all 3 axes working nicely but i am stuck at trying to get the spindle working. it is the original novakon unit. no documentation came with it so i have been piecing together what i have from various old posts here.

looks like i have BLMC-1100-300H for the motor controller, 92GM-BLM-300HA-SMT for the motor. i don't know if these mean anything, it's about all i could find anywhere though. i have purchased a novusun NVCM v2.1 usb control card. no issues with drivers and steppers for the 3 axes.

i have followed the instructions for the novusun card to the t and i believe i am getting the right signals out of it. i say believe as a voltmeter isn't goig to show pwm but just a voltage. it does increase and decrease according to commands. i tried a noid light for a fuel injector tester in hopes i would see flashing but no love there. i guess the signal isn't strong enough?

no matter what i try in my limited knowledge i cannot get the spindle to run. given what i have read here, it would seem these units were less than well regarded and temperamental back in the day. it was still working 3 weeks ago when i pulled things apart (pretty much the only thing that was lol) which is why i haven't replaced it already. has it suddenly died? some unknown incompatibility with the new usb card? i don't think the motor is bad, have done resistance and continuity checks and they are ok. should i just find the bottom of the money pit and buy a new motor controller like this?

https://www.amazon.ca/Voltage-Brushl.../dp/B0DRVQXH2Y

and either run it manually or try and set it up to the machine control.

any help will be appreciated!