[154james]

Hi guys.

This is my first CNC project since doing 3D printing for a while. I ordered a kit with motors and a gecko from automation technologies. It looks good but I can't seem to get it up and running on mach 3. It's plugged into a parallel port, estop jumper is in place, end stops are shorted to ground as per setup guide and the ports and pins are according to geckos guide. Why doesn't this work.

I have a video that's much easier to explain than me typing it.

Thanks for all the help!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUgv4Dee8lk

[ger21]

Did you read the G540 manual? Specifically, steps 2 and 3, and the troubleshooting section.

If the light is red, it's not a Mach3 issue.

Also, those twisted wire connections to that motor are a very bad idea. At a minimum, they should have some wire nuts on them.

Completely disconnect the motor, and get rid of the red light before you go any further.

[Kru82]

First thing first , forget the cross over for the E Stop had the same issue . Spend the $4.00 here N C Emergency Stop Switch Push Button Mushroom Push Button 4SCREW Terminal AP | eBay

then go to home depot and get a pvc 4 in. x 2 in. Junction Box ( similar to this Cantex PVC Junction Box ) or at least under $20.00 cut a hole in it and mount it to it . $20.00 or so later and wired right had no issues after that .

[154james]

Did you read the G540 manual? Specifically, steps 2 and 3, and the troubleshooting section.

If the light is red, it's not a Mach3 issue.

Also, those twisted wire connections to that motor are a very bad idea. At a minimum, they should have some wire nuts on them.

Completely disconnect the motor, and get rid of the red light before you go any further.

So I get the green light when I turn the charging pump off. I will attach some images of my mach3 setup.

[ger21]

Your port address is wrong, for starters.

[ger21]

Also, your video says you have a new parallel port.
Is it a PCI parallel port?
You also said the COM port was set to EPP?
A parallel port is not a COM port, and an add on card is not usually configurable in the bios?

[154james]

It's an onboard Parallel port, and yes in bios it's set to EPP, Here's the settings/ options.

How would I find the correct port address?



It is cuttently EPP


EDIT: Just tried it on port 0x378 still nothing.

I also checked continuity on the parallel cable and it was as it should be

[hub]

It's an onboard Parallel port, and yes in bios it's set to EPP, Here's the settings/ options.

How would I find the correct port address?



It is cuttently EPP


EDIT: Just tried it on port 0x378 still nothing.

I also checked continuity on the parallel cable and it was as it should be

0x378 is for your COM port, check the LPT port address in device manager.

[154james]

0x378 is for your COM port, check the LPT port address in device manager.

Just checked the device manager, I found this: Attachment 283280

Tried 0x778 and still nothing

[hub]

Just checked the device manager, I found this: Attachment 283280

Tried 0x778 and still nothing

What does the LPT card software say as the parall. port address?

(Also sorry made a mistake, your com is at 0x3F8)

[154james]

What does the LPT card software say as the parall. port address?

(Also sorry made a mistake, your com is at 0x3F8)

There is no software for it, it's on the MB. I'm running this on an older Dell Optiplex, has a parallel port on it.

[hub]

There is no software for it, it's on the MB. I'm running this on an older Dell Optiplex, has a parallel port on it.

I don't have any exp. with geckos... But my best guess is something is wired wrong.
The port setting can be verified by turning on/off an output in mach3 and measuring from the LPT port, should go on/off.

[154james]

I don't have any exp. with geckos... But my best guess is something is wired wrong.
The port setting can be verified by turning on/off an output in mach3 and measuring from the LPT port, should go on/off.

I'm getting nothing from the LPT port, what's next?

[ger21]

Try 0378 in the port address.

Run Drivertest.exe in the Mach3\ folder, and see what happens.

[154james]

Try 0378 in the port address.

Run Drivertest.exe in the Mach3\ folder, and see what happens.

The program runs and I get the "Mach 1 test complete" dialogue box but then when it continues to get to the driver install my machine blue screens, I'm gonna try loading XP on a partition and see if that fixes it

[ger21]

Is your version of Windows 7 64 bit?
If so, then the parallel port will not work.