[hotrodinai]

I have a Chinese 3040z router using Mach 3. I can't get the tool probe to work. I purchased the Big Tex screen and can't get any kind of reading. I checked the probe with a ohm meter and it shows continuity through the wires. I set the screens up as the images show. Do you have any ideas I can try? Thanks in advance Brent

[daniellyall]

can you get the light to show if you earth it out

[hotrodinai]

No not at all. I even tried the auto pin and port finder with no results.

[daniellyall]

ok have you unticked the active state to see if it help.

also how is it connected, do you have a wire going from you bob output 17 to the touch plate if you do, touch it to the frame of the machine if it light`s up then you need to put a common - /earth, wire on the cutting tool, if this does not work help.

at a risk more than likely wont kill anything touch the probe wire to your common -DC if no light shows up change the state again from low to high or high to low and if this works you may need to use a switch depending on the bob you are using.

it will be something simple.

depending what I am doing I have to use one of two state`s with a switch on my big machine, my little one it is a output connected to a plate and a earth/common wire on the cutter I use the same screen set as you.

[hotrodinai]

I'm still not having any luck. I tried attaching a ground wire from control box to machine. I also played with the settings as you suggested. Still no results. I checked my plug and I get good ohm reading from outside shield to ground. I show resistance when I go from wire to wire. I attached a picture of the plug in for the probe. I really feel is a Mach 3 issue as in a setting. Thanks Brent Attachment 291228

[daniellyall]

what are you using for a touch plate, also open the box and check that it`s connected and if there is a wire from pin 17 and or a common/earth going to the plug.
also what is the control box who makes it where is it from or do you have a manual for it

[hotrodinai]

Here is a picture of the control. I bought this on ebay. I got no manual on the control unit itself. It has a port in the back to plug the probe into. I made a touch off tool like one I saw on you tube. Brent

Attachment 291252

[daniellyall]

yep that`s the bog standard controller that comes with those. open the box and see what is connected to the plug.

[daniellyall]

what I have have found so far it looks like it`s the correct port and pin, one thing hold the probe block in your hand and touch the earth/common wire to it check port state high or low it wont hurt you

[hotrodinai]

I will do so on Thursday. Unfortunately I can't work on it tomorrow. I really appreciate your help. I'm not real sharp with electrical. I assume you want me to touch the touch plate to my house ground? I will also open the controler and check the location of the plug and what feeds it. I will post a picture when I do. Thanks again Brent

[daniellyall]

I will do so on Thursday. Unfortunately I can't work on it tomorrow. I really appreciate your help. I'm not real sharp with electrical. I assume you want me to touch the touch plate to my house ground? NO the machine VDC- or common ground

I will also open the controller and check the location of the plug and what feeds it. I will post a picture when I do. yes please do it should have a wire from probe signal / pin 15 and a common / ground -VDC. make sure there is no power to it first also check that there is continuity from the board pin 15 probe output to the touch plate and the common/ground -VDC to the clip what you put on the cutter, also do not have the probe plate sitting on the machine or just put a bit of plastic or wood under it

try and get a clear pick of it so I can see wire color

[hotrodinai]

I decided to bring the controller into work and have the electrician check it out. I showed him your post and he verified what you were requesting. He said the probe is getting 5VDC to probe plug. I sure hope this gives you what you need. Thanks Brent

Attachment 291442Attachment 291444Attachment 291446

[hotrodinai]

more pictures

Attachment 291448Attachment 291450Attachment 291452

[daniellyall]

is there 5vdc from plug to touch plate

[hotrodinai]

Yes. I checked touching to tool. Had clip on tool.

[daniellyall]

I mean the plug on the box to your touch plate

found this

https://hackaday.io/project/6776/logs

so what it looks like you need the signal wire going from board to pin to touch plate it needs 5 vdc at the plate if active low (what`s 5vdc off 0vdc on) i think.

you need to make sure that the touch plate has a bit of plastic or wood under it you don't wont it to touch any metal or aluminum on the machine.

then the common earth going to the tool.what you get from the jp82a board it the pin marked G beside the stop plug

just to test it works touch the tool touch plate to the common wire hold it in your hands (make sure it turned on and has 5 vdc at touch plate first). change the state to see if it makes any differences if it does not work.

and is there a single wire going from the board to the plug for your touch plate.

[hotrodinai]

I had 5vdc on the touch pad positive lead and had the negative lead on alligator clip. So basically you think I need to change the breakout board?

[daniellyall]

look at the web sight I posted there is a trace of the wiring if your touch plate wiring is the same is the 5 vdc getting to the touch plate

[hotrodinai]

Here is the test I did.Attachment 291514 Shouldn't I see the parallel port15 light on this.Attachment 291516

[daniellyall]

take it of the table and test aging the machine is earthed to the controller, or put something non metal under it.

it`s this you just need to watch and yes pin 15 should light up just try it again with the touch plate isolated from the machine and where does the blue wire come from before the plug on the box.

Attachment 291518