I have read more threads about connectors than I care to think about... yet I'm still not sure what to do.
I have a box that I will be installing my power supply, driver, bob, and spindle relay. I want to make it clean, simple and as inexpensive as I can. Not cheap, just not extravagant. I have built an 18" x 36" router and am using a Mechatronics 3 axis board, Keling 276oz steppers, 24v 6a power supply and a CNC4PC ac frequency convertor. All this will be installed in a box about 17" x 9" x 6".
I have seen posts about din plugs, cannon plugs, mic plugs, molex, etc., etc. Is there any problem connecting my steppers using a db9 connector as long as I use the proper guage wire? My thought is that it would solve a couple of issues - cost, they are pretty inexpensive, and reliability, they can be screwed together so there is no chance of them accidentally coming unplugged.
I would use one db9 for each stepper and one for the home switches and e-stop. It would be pretty easy to plug a connection on the female socket to ensure I don't plug the wrong cable into the wrong connector, but if they are labeled clearly I don't see that as a problem.
Any thoughts on this idea? Is it good, bad, neither?
Also, what about the wire to connect the steppers? The wires on the steppers is 22 guage, is it necessary to use larger wire to connect to the drive? I know about voltage drop, etc., but does it make a difference to use 16 or 18 guage when there is 22 guage on the stepper?
Thanks for any insight you can give me.
Gary