You want to test the wires that are paired up in a row on the top of the motors. You are looking for low resistance between pairs of wires. If you have low resistance between two sets of wires that means that they are connected to the same coil. My DMM has a loud high pitched tone when the resistance is below 100 Ohms. I think, and this is a guess, that the resistance would be around 6 Ohms if you have the right pairs of wires. There should be an outrageously large amount of resistance if the paired wires are not connected to the same coil.

Bipolar and unipolar are just two diferent ways stepper motors can be driven. Bipolar, I think, is the better of the two. It produces more torque from the same motor. All gecko drives are bipolar.

I would choose the gecko 540, as it would simplify wiring. It has all of the cool features that the larger geckos have without the cost. Also it is more appropriate for your low current steppers.

With a 540 would be simple. Purchase a seven amp power supply that is just under 50 volts (48 would be perfect) Follow the wiring directions included with the gecko drive. Mount it all on a board or piece of sheet metal. With the 540 I don't think you would need a box!


Quote Originally Posted by Tsooko View Post
Hi all
Aaahh, Good news.
At the risk of seeming a total nob, I have some questions. Which wires do I test as pairs and what readings am I looking for? What do you mean by unipolar and bipolar? Which is better?
So these steppers can be used with a different control box than the M-100 techno box I now have, means I won't have to buy new motors at lease for now.
On the gecko thread most guys have recommended the 203's for drivers. They are 201's that have been improved and seem to be bullet proof. They will run the nema 23's and can be used to run nema 34's if I have to upgrade. What do you think?
If I get these, it looks like I will have to build a box. Is that hard to do? Perhaps Keling will build me a box with the 203"s. I'll have to call them.

From being a Sholtz ( Hogan's Hero's, "I know nothing") I think I'm begining to catch on a little. Thanks!

:cheers: Ted