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IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > Gecko Drives > Gecko g540 ground pin burned out
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    37

    Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    Hi I've been running a gecko g540 for almost two years now and just last weekend I couldn't get a red light on it much less green. After a bit of probing around I found the the circuit board ground and my ground wires have no continuity. The green pin tray plastic has a small amount of brown colouration around the ground pin. Has anyone else had this problem? Something obviously burned out between the terminal and the circuit board. Any ideas what the cause would be? I have a surge protector on the setup so I doubt it would be surges. Obviously there was a lot of current in there at some point. Also any ideas on how I could fix the screw terminal so I don't have to solder a wire directly to the gecko?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    its the first I have read of a G540 having burnt connectors but

    Phoenix Contact connectors burning up are found on a number of threads

    like this on a Tormach machine's Leadshine 3ND883 or Tormach driver 31234

    examples of burnt connector

    Attachment 422306

    Attachment 422304

    Click image for larger version. 

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    the problem can be found with any product using this connector

    see post 13
    https://www.cnczone.com/forums/torma...-toilet-2.html


    one possible solution if you don't send the G540 back to Geckodrive could be to solder a wire directly to the board

    from another cnczone post
    https://www.cnczone.com/forums/torma...connector.html

    John

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    I've also never heard of this on a G540, but I've seen a handful of posts showing it on other Gecko drives.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

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    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
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    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    37
    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    I've also never heard of this on a G540, but I've seen a handful of posts showing it on other Gecko drives.
    Hmm so it seems its not common! I think I may just solder a wire directly to the board then. Hopefully more connectors don't go on me.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    In addition to the ground/0V pin 12 how does the +18V to 50V supply pin 11 look ?

    pins 1 to 10 pass a low current and should be OK

    the only other high current connections are the 9 way D-type sockets for the motor connections

    its important the supplied 9 pin plugs are used
    most D-type plugs found online are low current connectors and will over heat

    for example a 3A ebay connector

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DB9-DIY-9....c100005.m1851


    one 5A connector I found from RS components

    https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solde...ctors/0472843/

    https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webd...6b816bffd1.pdf

    John

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Posts
    15362

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    Quote Originally Posted by Keonfrey View Post
    Hi I've been running a gecko g540 for almost two years now and just last weekend I couldn't get a red light on it much less green. After a bit of probing around I found the the circuit board ground and my ground wires have no continuity. The green pin tray plastic has a small amount of brown colouration around the ground pin. Has anyone else had this problem? Something obviously burned out between the terminal and the circuit board. Any ideas what the cause would be? I have a surge protector on the setup so I doubt it would be surges. Obviously there was a lot of current in there at some point. Also any ideas on how I could fix the screw terminal so I don't have to solder a wire directly to the gecko?
    There must be over current draw to cause this to happen or there G540 needs better connectors
    Mactec54

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2016
    Posts
    37
    Quote Originally Posted by john-100 View Post
    In addition to the ground/0V pin 12 how does the +18V to 50V supply pin 11 look ?

    pins 1 to 10 pass a low current and should be OK

    the only other high current connections are the 9 way D-type sockets for the motor connections

    its important the supplied 9 pin plugs are used
    most D-type plugs found online are low current connectors and will over heat

    for example a 3A ebay connector

    https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DB9-DIY-9....c100005.m1851


    one 5A connector I found from RS components

    https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/solde...ctors/0472843/

    https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webd...6b816bffd1.pdf

    John
    Yeah all the other connections look fine! That is interesting though! Thanks for the info John!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Posts
    1091

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    Just a thought. Have you checked the G540 onboard fuse?

    Cheers
    Peter


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    -------------------------------------------------
    Homann Designs - http://www.homanndesigns.com/store

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2007
    Posts
    467

    Re: Gecko g540 ground pin burned out

    The most likely cause of a burned connector on the GND pin is a loose connection. The increased resistance from an incomplete connection on the header can lead to heating on the connector. I'd recommend sending the G540 back for evaluation and repair so we can check if anything else has been damaged.
    Marcus Freimanis
    www.geckodrive.com

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