Can I find an adapter for steppers with molex connectors to DB9 for Gecko G540?

I have a lathe fitted with an old Flashcut generator and driver. The steppers are model MP-2301-D-30. They connect to the Flashcut driver with 6 pin molex mini fit jr. connectors, but motors are 4 wire steppers. I now have a CNC router with a Gecko G540. I was thinking it would be nice to be able to run the lathe with Mach3 instead of the old, outdated version of Flashcut I am limited to with my other driver. I can solder well enough to make an adapter, but I don't have any components to make my own cables. I'd have to order all the components, then still assemble it myself. So I was wondering if there might be an adapter I could buy to adapt the 6-pin molex mini fit jr. to DB9. Or maybe someone who make cables than anyone can recommend. I could probably remove the pins in the molex on the motors and move them to the correct pin numbers if I have to, but I cant find anything with molex mini fit jr. to DB9. Anybody have a suggestion?

You'll probably need to make your own. If the cables are long enough to reach the G540, then just cut off the Molex and go straight to DB9.

Thanks for the response. They are long enough, but I'd rather just get 4 new cables than destroy these. I would like the ability to revert back to the Flashcutif I need to. Or better yet, sell the Flashcut generator and driver as a whole with all the cables if it works well on the Gecko.

If an adapter is not something I can find, validated by your recommendation and my inability to find it in a web search, I will make something. Maybe the easiest option is to just buy 4 of the shortest DB9 cables I can find and cut one end off and replace with the molex connectors. The molex ends will be a little less work than the DB9 ends, so I'll save some time that way. Now I need to hunt down the cables and the connectors.

Thanks for replying, looking forward to trying this out!

I would just buy DB9 connectors and shells instead of cables with unknown quality wires (probably the thinnest and the cheapest the manufacturer could get away with). Soldering DB9 is easy, it should not take much time.

My favorite connector shells are these: https://www.digikey.com/en/products/...637BLF/1001738

https://media.digikey.com/photos/FCI...6303637BLF.jpg

Thank you, I'll check those out right now. So are you saying I should just buy wire by the foot and make them myself to avoid low quality wire? What wire would you recommend I use, then? I'll need to order resistors anyway, so an order to digikey will be needed since I doubt Frys has anything like that left on their bare shelves.

Also, I noticed that the motors that came on my router are completely unbranded. Previous owner said they are NEMA 23 320oz motors, but I can't verify that. They do feel pretty warm at idle, and I'm wondering if the 2k7 resistors are not the right one for these motors. Is there any way to verify that? Because I also have a 4th axis on the lathe we are discussing connecting to the Gecko that is unlabeled. It is a flashcut motor, but there is no label, and it does not visually look the same as the other 3 axes on the lathe that have labels. I don't know how to identify the current for the motors without a spec sheet to select the correct resistor. Any recommendation?

1. Pre-made DB9 cables often have hair-thin wires because they are usually intended for low power signals. Also, depending on the application, they may have as few as 3 wires out of 9. You may be able to find a suitable cable, but soldering your own would probably be quicker and cheaper.

2. Most any AWG18 or AWG20 cable will work. If the motor is moving, then a high flexibility cable (such as Igus Chainflex) would be best.

3. If the motor is "pretty warm", the current is probably fine.

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Originally Posted by tinkerdad

Thanks for the response. They are long enough, but I'd rather just get 4 new cables than destroy these. I would like the ability to revert back to the Flashcutif I need to. Or better yet, sell the Flashcut generator and driver as a whole with all the cables if it works well on the Gecko.

If an adapter is not something I can find, validated by your recommendation and my inability to find it in a web search, I will make something. Maybe the easiest option is to just buy 4 of the shortest DB9 cables I can find and cut one end off and replace with the molex connectors. The molex ends will be a little less work than the DB9 ends, so I'll save some time that way. Now I need to hunt down the cables and the connectors.

Thanks for replying, looking forward to trying this out!

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Have a look at these DB-9 breakout boards for the G540. They both have a built in trimpot to adjust the stepper current. One has screw terminals, the other solder.

https://www.homanndesigns.com/index....roducts_id=343

https://www.homanndesigns.com/index....roducts_id=111

As to making adapter cables, this is what I hid for my Taig when I converted it to a G540.

https://www.homanndesigns.com/info/i...-lead-adaptors

Cheers

Peter


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