[nicotom]

Hi everyone,

I am trying my new installation but it does not work.

I wanted to check my parallel port as sho in this video :
CNC Electronics 5 -Testing the Parellel Port.wmv - YouTube

But instead of reading +4.3v and 0v I have +11v and +3.3v !!

what is that ??
What should i do ?

Thanks

[Al_The_Man]

Are you reading WRT the case?
It is possible that your P.C. P.S. is not grounded, or you are using a laptop?
Try WRT to the P.P. ground pins.
Al.

[nicotom]

What is WRT ??

P.C ??
P.S ??

Sorry

[Al_The_Man]

WRT = With respect To.
P.C.= Personal Computer.
P.S. = Power Supply.
P.P. = Parallel Port
Al.

[nicotom]

Hi Al,

My PC is a desktop. I do not know if my PS is grounded.
I will try WRT with the PP ground pin.

thabks

[RFB]

nicotom,

You should be using pins 18 through 25 for a ground.

RFB

[Al_The_Man]

Normally the PC power supply is connected to earth ground for a desktop/tower PC.
You can measure the resistance from the P.P. ground pins to case with the PC off to confirm in your case, it should be around zero ohms.
Al.

[nicotom]

Hi Al,

I checked, my P.P. ground pin is connected to the case. (0 Ohms).

I have tested it again (between pin2 and pin24) and filmed it. Same result (+11v and +3.3v)

look here :

[Al_The_Man]

Doesn't make much sense, did you confirm your P.S. reading at a 4 pin component (H.D.) connector? You should have 5v from black to red and 12v from blk to yellow.
If you still get weird readings, check you meter battery, my Fluke meter registers weird voltages before the batt indicator comes on.
Al.

[nicotom]

I checked my P.S. voltage between red & black and yellow & black in the 4 pin component. I have 5v and 12v !!
I changed my meter battery but still the same (11v & 3.3v).

I did not tell you that my P.P is not integrated.
It is an add via PCIe.

this one :
http://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Com-Ex...rallel+Adapter

[Al_The_Man]

Maybe there is some special consideration setup in the BIOS?
If you measure no difference in voltage between PP Gnd pins and 4pin component plug blk, then it is apparently at the same Gnd potential, so the card must be generating these odd voltages for some reason?
Al.

[nicotom]

I found this in the bios :


Seeing these values makes me think :

I have 3.3V just as shown in the second line.
I have 11.2 (V or mV ??) i think it is mV so it equal to 1.12V as shown in the 1st line.
(i checked in the video. it is 11.2mV)

Are these values working ? Or i should have 0v +5V ??

[Al_The_Man]

In my opinion you normally should see +5v at the port?
Those voltages are for the cpu etc.
Al.

[nicotom]

I looked in the bios but i found nothing.
It is not an integrated PP port so ....

I tried to reinstall Win7 AND Win XP but still the same !!

I keep looking !!

[RFB]

nicotom,

It has been known for several years now that the parallel port voltage was going to drop from 5v to 3.3v. So what is it that you want to accomplish by using the parallel port? I can only guess that you are trying to set up a software based CNC motion controller. If that is the case then 3.3v is sufficient for switching modules such OPTO 22. Either tap your PC power supply or use a separate 5v power supply for your logic. The average OPTO 22 modules will not operate at a high enough frequency for controlling stepper motors but, they do have a high frequency module that will.

RFB

[negativ3]

Your PP is 3.3V logic. You could confirm this by googling your motherboard part number and checking the spec?

A parallel port card with 5V logic could be purchased, which will plug into a spare PCI slot, or buy/build a logic interface board as indicated by RFB.

Rosewill 2x Serial & 1x Parallel Port PCI card Model RC303 - Retail - Newegg.com

[Al_The_Man]

He is already using an aux card in the PCIe slot.
He is also getting 12v on some pins.
Al.

[negativ3]

He is already using an aux card in the PCIe slot.
He is also getting 12v on some pins.
Al.

I think he's reading 11.2mV with the same pin at logic 0, 3.3V at logic 1?

[Al_The_Man]

If it is in fact mV then that would explain it.
Al.

[nicotom]

Hi guys,

Thanks for helping me !!

negativ3 -> My PP port is a aux card through PCIe slot. http://www.amazon.ca/Startech-Com-Express-Parallel-Card-Spp-PEX1P
I am reading 3.3V at logic 1 and 11.2mV at logic 0.


I found the C10 (my BOB) manual. You can check it here : http://cnc4pc.com/Tech_Docs/C10R10_USER_MANUAL.pdf
Page 2, in SPECIFICATIONS it is said

"On-State voltage range 2 to 5V DC" I have 3.3 so it is good !!
"Max Off-Stage voltage 0.8V" I have 1.12V !! So ... PROBLEM !!

Am i correct ?
If yes, how can i do to decrease it ??