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Updated probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2025 12:26 pm
by lavrgs
I bought a second Drewtronics probe for my lathe and as I've read about connecting it up it seems it's not ideal. The plan would be to use the probe input
I've seen a post about modifying a Drewtronics probe to work for the ALLIN1DC. viewtopic.php?t=10568 Is the main issue that it's Normally Closed?

There were a couple circuits defined to use the NC probe, using either one or two BS170. One circuit was for a NC, but its for a 3 wire probe. The other uses two wires but indicated the LED is cut out.
This all may be moot as the Drewtronics works on my Acorn and can be used a backup.
Is it best just to use a Normally Open probe?

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2025 11:36 am
by lavrgs
My simple question boils down to - Can the probe be used?

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 11:10 am
by centroid467
It is best to use Normally Open probes with ALLIN1DC, hence the circuits and modifications to make the Drewtronics probe behave as one on page 2 of the other thread.

The LED is cut out or wired in reverse bias because it is in parallel with the switch. It would conduct enough to fool the input if wired normally or not cut out.

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2025 12:24 pm
by lavrgs
Thanks,
I ended up getting a Normally Open probe and wired it up. I get the LED to switch from green to red so I assume the power connections are good. I have the output connected to Pin 5 of the circular connector.
I made some parameter changes - I'm expecting to see INP769 toggle (?) but there may be more changes required.
Here is a list of what Parameters I thought I need to change /reveiew
PARAMETERS

P153 PROBE PROTECTION >>1
P155 PROBE TYPE 0 >>1


REVIEW
P11 50769 VERIFY
P12 TOUCH PROBE TOOL NUMBER DEFAULT 10 N/A?
P14
P15
P18 SPINDLE INHIBIT
P120 PROBE STUCK CLEARENCE JUST CHECK
P186 PROBE STUCK DISABLE
P257
P406 PROBE STATE WHEN TRIPPED 0 FOR CLOSED
P409
P410

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:38 am
by centroid467
Sorry about the delayed response... Was out sick last week.

Pin 5 is correct for the trip output signal.

P153 is good to set to 1.

P155 - why are you setting this to 1? Is it a DSP probe (i.e. DP-4D)? If the probe is outputting a simple contact closure then this parameter should be set to 0.

P11 should be 50769 with a NO probe and ALLIN1DC/OAK/MPU11.

P12 only needs to be changed if you are not using Tool 10 (and associated D and H offsets) for the touch probe. It is not obvious why this is necessary considering the most common use for a probe on a lathe is as a tool touchoff device. I wouldn't worry about this too much unless you plan to use it to probe the workpiece.

P14 sets the rate used for initial search moves. This should be set faster than Slow Probing Rate (P15) and will be limited by the overtravel tolerance of the probe itself. Watch the angle of the stylus to the probe body when it trips and make sure it doesn't exceed whatever limit the manufacturer specified. 30 inches/minute is a safe value for all Centroid probes with their provided stylus.
P15 should be set to your desired accuracy vs speed tradeoff. I usually see 3 or 5 inches/minute in our shop.

P18 - it looks like you are not using probe detect from that photo of the 8 pin connector so I would leave this as 0.
On second thought, using it as a TT would pretty much require the detect circuit because you would be probing tools other than T10 (the probe itself). It may be better to set it up as a TT if that is what you will be using it for. To do this, short pins 4 and 8 of the connector. Then, set P18 to 50771.

P120 - probably no need to change this
P186 - probably no need to change this. Does the probe get stuck tripped often?

P257 - If you wire up the detect circuit (short pins 4 and 8) and set P18 = 50771, then set P257 = 50772.

P405 - depends on what kind of TT it is.
P406 - leave as 0 when using Normally Open probe.
P407 - leave as 0 when using Normally Open TT.
P409 - depends on what kind of probe it is.
P410 - probably no need to change this for now.

probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 1:41 pm
by lavrgs
I am connecting my probe and wanted to verify that the probe connector on the allin1dc the Red wire should provide 12V and the BLK/WHT wire is COM. I also tried the BLU wire as COM I don't measure any voltage is there a fuse or does it have to be activated?

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 2:00 pm
by centroid467
Yes, red is 12V DC and both the black/white and blue wires are COM.

There is a fuse on the 12V DC installed on the ALLIN1DC by the probe header itself. I believe it is 1/8th amp, 250VAC.

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 2:18 pm
by lavrgs
Are you sure about 1/8A? The fuse I pulled out was a F2AL 250V...it was blown

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2025 3:06 pm
by centroid467
Hmmm good point. I may have gotten that mixed up with the fuse in the MPU11 probe cable that does the same job. Sorry about that!

Re: Drewtronics probe with ALLIN1DC

Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2025 5:23 pm
by lavrgs
centroid467 wrote: Tue Apr 08, 2025 9:38 am P18 - it looks like you are not using probe detect from that photo of the 8 pin connector so I would leave this as 0.
On second thought, using it as a TT would pretty much require the detect circuit because you would be probing tools other than T10 (the probe itself). It may be better to set it up as a TT if that is what you will be using it for. To do this, short pins 4 and 8 of the connector. Then, set P18 to 50771.
I would like to confirm the signals that are getting shorted - I have cut the bulkhead connector off. The bulkhead diagram shows pin 4 as Probe Aux BLK/RED Pin 8 12V Com BLK/WHT