[vmax549]

Mach3 is FAMOUS for corrupting teh XML file. Load a KNOWN good copy of the XML and see if that does not correct your problem.

(;-) TP

[CNCing]

After checking the step and dir pins....all other pins switched between 0-5v on the dir and com pins. When checking the dir and com pins for 9 it was switching between 3.5v - 5v. Unlike the other pins it never went from 0-5v. Any idea why it would do this?

[CNCing]

also when I swap pins 8 & 9 neither function works....up or down? Would this help narrow the problem down?

[CNCing]

Mach3 is FAMOUS for corrupting teh XML file. Load a KNOWN good copy of the XML and see if that does not correct your problem.

(;-) TP

What is the XML file? I started using a new computer where I downloaded a whole new file of Mach3....would that have uploaded a new XML

[CNCing]

I am concidering just connecting a gecko g540 to rule out all the electronics I currently use. Would this be a bad idea? Just pretty desperate to figure it out.

[john-100]

going back to posts 22 & 23

did you disconnect the stepper driver from the common & pin 9 BOB connections ?

with the pin 9 output only switching between 3.5 V and 5v instead of 0 to 5V

its possible that a short circuit in the wiring between the C10 and stepper driver input could of damaged one of the 74ACT245 IC's
one bonus with the old style C10 is the IC's are all in sockets and can easily be replaced

as the C10 has four 74ACT245 IC's you could swap the IC for pins 6 to 9 with the one for pins 2 to 5

if the fault moves to pins 4 & 5 you will know you have a damaged 74ACT245

are you using pins 1 , 14 ,16 & 17 ?

John

PS

IC location & and function



PPS
before you buy the G540
I would replace the gender changer on the printer cable or buy a printer cable with 25 plugs at both ends
as it appears to be the only thing you have not changed

[vmax549]

The XML is Mach3's configuration file. A corrupt file can easily disconnect your slaving settings in mach3. I used to fight this all teh time with a plasma machine.

Did this happen one day you shut down Mach3 and all was working correctly and the next day started Mach3 and you lost slaving ? (;-)

(;-) TP

[CNCing]

Yes, one day was working fine and the next day would not work? If I downloaded a new version should that have fixed it?

[john-100]

when you downloaded & installed a new copy of mach did you manually enter the printer port address and assign pins 2 to 9

or did you copy & paste what may of been a corrupt of your XMLfile ???

John

[CNCing]

Yes I assigned the pins numbers.

[CNCing]

Hi John,

I only swapped the placement of the wires at pins 8&9 on the board and on the system. Should I have just disconnected one or the other? Also should I make the changes in Mach 3 inputs/outputs when I swap them around on the board? Sorry if this is confusing.

[john-100]

from post 22
"After checking the step and dir pins....all other pins switched between 0-5v on the dir and com pins. When checking the dir and com pins for 9 it was switching between 3.5v - 5v. Unlike the other pins it never went from 0-5v. Any idea why it would do this? "


Did you measure the voltage between com & pin 9 with the BOB still connected to the stepper driver input ??
the abnormal voltage indicates the 74ACT245 on the BOB could be damaged
but a fault with the stepper driver wiring over loading the BOB is another possibility

disconnecting the common , pin 8 & 9 and re testing will help to narrow down the fault
depending on the result
swapping the 74ACT245 IC that is connected to printer port pins 6 to 9 is another test - see post 26

John