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IndustryArena Forum > CNC Electronics > Gecko Drives > Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    148

    Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    Anyone here setup and using the G540 with NPN Proximity Sensors and Mach3?????

    I have LJC18A3-B-Z/AX NPN Proximity Sensors 6-36V and I am trying to get them to work correctly with my GeckoDrive G540.
    I have all of the Blue Wires connected to a Terminal Bus Bar and a 12V Wall Wart V- with another wire going to the V- of my 48V main power supply.
    I have all of the Brown Wires connected to a Terminal Bus Bar powered by the 12V+ Wall Wart.
    From there I have the Black Wires running to the Number 1 and Number 2 Terminals of my G540 with X on Pin 10 and Y on Pin 11.
    As long as my E-Stop is pressed I have a Light present on my Proximity Sensors.
    However, once I disengage the E-Stop Switch I am no longer getting a signal in Mach3.
    Should I add a 1N4148 Small Signal Diode or a Pull Up Resistor between the Black Wires and the G540 Terminal to get them to work as needed???????????
    If a Pull Up Resistor is required instead of the Diode any help in determining the correct size would also be appreciated.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am at a total loss and please be aware that my Electronics wherewithal is extremely limited.
    I intend on using these sensors as Home Switches on my X and Y Axis on an OpenBuilds C-Beam XL. with a 4th Axis?????????

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    From your description I would of thought it should work as long as you only have one N/C limit switch / proximity sensor on each G540 input

    Attachment 430870


    To prove the G540 is working OK

    I would test the G540 with wire links added between the G540 inputs and common terminal 12

    to replace the LJC18A3-B-Z/AX NPN Proximity Sensors



    IF the G540 works OK with the inputs wired to terminal 12

    Is the wallwart regulated ?
    and do you have another power supply you can use to re test the Proximity Sensors ?



    John

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    148

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    I'm not sure what you mean by using wire links between the 12 Pin and the g540 Inputs other than stating I have a definite Fear in emitting the Blue Smoke Genie. I will though try a different power supply without question. Today I peered into the wiring of my 2 3D printers and one has a Diode between the Black Wire and the Input and the other has a Resistor. Thanks for your Assistance.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    2083

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    As an initial test just to prove the G540 inputs are working correctly
    this shows the wire links to replace your LJC18A3-B-Z/AX NPN Proximity Sensors

    Attachment 430882

    If the G540 now works as expected
    you can replace the wire links with the Proximity Sensors
    and re connect your 12V power supply


    do you have another 12V power supply to try ?


    If it does not work with the wire links replacied by the Proximity Sensors
    you have more fault finding to do

    John

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
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    148

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    So what I got out of this is to disconnect my current connections of the sensors. Then to run a jumper wire over to the appropriate terminals of the G540 to see if the G540 still works as it is supposed to do. If not, what is my next step other than calling Marcus up at GeckoDrives? First I am going to hook a Buck to my 36V Spindle Power Supply and try repowering up my sensors at 24V.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    yes thats correct

    its the easiest way to narrow down the problem

    to see if its the G540
    or
    the Proximity Sensors and / or wiring to the 12V power supply


    As the sensor is described as 6-36 VDC 300mA NPN normally closed

    with no detailed information of the circuit inside the Proximity Sensor , I would use a 12V supply for now -
    this avoids the sensor possibly passing current into the G540 input !!!



    the G540 input is an opto-isolator LED with a 2200 ohm resistor connected to a +12V supply within the G540
    diagram just showing input 1
    Attachment 430914

    if the LJC18A3-B-Z/AX NPN Proximity Sensor has an internal pullup to the positive supply terminal

    then using a 12V power supply avoids the risk of taking the G540 input more that +12V above the G540's limit switch common terminal / negative supply terminal

    the reverse breakdown voltage for the LED is only 3 volts !
    see ILQ74 data sheet
    http://www.farnell.com/datasheets/20...413.1539186146

    when using a Proximity Sensor power supply over 12V
    thats when adding a diode needs to be added
    the anode to the G540 input and cathode to the Proximity Sensor NPN output


    John

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    148

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    I checked the G540 by running a Jumper Wire from Pin 12 to both Pins 10 and 11 a it still worked as usual, therefore it isn't the G540. I have yet to try hooking up a Buck Dockdown from my 36V Spindle Power Supply knocked down to 24V as of yet. I have what I can find as the Specification Sheet for this Sensor now included.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Posts
    148

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    General
    Model number LJC18A3-B series
    External dimensions M18x1x60
    Installation type Non-shielded
    Detection distance 10mm±10%
    Setting distance 0-8 mm
    Supply voltage 12-24Vdc (6-36Vdc); 110-220Vac (90-250Vac), 50/60Hz
    Rated output current N.P Type: 300mA max; D type: 200mA max; AC Type: 400mA
    Standard detected object Iron SPCC (50x50x1mm)
    Sensing object Metals/Non-metals
    Response frequency 50Hz
    Matched mounting bracket M18 90° bending mounting bracket, M18 straight mounting bracket
    Leakage current N.P Type: 13mA max; D type: 0.8mA max; A Type: 1.7mA max
    Hysteresis 10% max. of sensing distance
    Protection circuit DC: Reverse connection protection, Surge suppressor, Short-circuit protection
    AC: Surge suppressor
    Insulation resistance 50M? min (between charging part and housing)
    Dielectric strength 1000Vac, 1min (between charging part and housing)
    Temperature influence ±10% max. of sensing distance at 23? within temperature range of -25? to 60?
    ±15% max. of sensing distance at 23? within temperature range of -30? to 65?
    Voltage influence ±10% max. of sensing distance in rated voltage range ±15%
    IP Rating IP65
    Material Case: Brass-nickel plated; Sensing surface: ABS
    Attached Files Attached Files

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Posts
    2083

    Re: Proximity Sensors Gecko G540 and Mach3

    that's good to know the G540 is working

    do you have a multimeter ?


    Assuming you have

    with the Proximity Sensors re connected

    if you measure between the G540 terminal 12 and 1 you should have a voltage close to zero
    as the sensor output will low resistance to ground

    when sensor is triggered by a metal end stop the sensor output will switch off
    the voltage between he G540 terminal 12 and 1 will rise to around 10 to 11V - the actual voltage may depend on the meter used

    you will get similar results with the sensor connected to terminals 12 & 2


    one possibility is the sensors are being triggered by metal work close to the end of the sensor when it should not be
    giving the G540 a false signal

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