Hello,
I'm new to "CNC from scratch" but have a mechanical and electrical background, so I'm not completely ignorant. I'm building a CNC router system with the Acorn controller and four Gecko GR214V stepper drives through a parallel port breakout board. I've attached the GR214V manual to facilitate assistance.
In Step 6, Connecting Step and Direction Signals, the Gecko manual states:
"CN2 PIN4 COMMON This pin connects to the controller's +5VDC supply terminal if 5V logic is used or a +3.3VDC supply terminal if 3.3V logic signals are used."
As far as I can tell the Acorn does not have a +5VDC output. I seem to remember reading that the parallel connector has a 5VDC line but I don't see that in the H6 pin breakout of the Bench Test diagram (also attached/below). Or, do I just take the 5VDC output from the Meanwell power supply and connect it here? I don't want to let the magic smoke out of anything, either the Acorn or the Gecko drives as neither are cheap!
Thanks in advance for any assistance/advice you may provide.
Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
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Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
Hello,
I am not the one to give advice so far, i.e. as I am new to the Acorn CNC product but:
1. I found another schematic that may help.
2. I am in the process of purchasing the Gecko Drives myself...
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 129.r1.pdf is the non-gecko drives that may provide help.
I will keep searching for the Gecko Drive setup schematic.
Seth
P.S. Gecko style set up: https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 113.r2.pdf
and...
All...setups: https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... browse.php
I am trying to put in a photo but coming up short. Let me try this idea:
I am not the one to give advice so far, i.e. as I am new to the Acorn CNC product but:
1. I found another schematic that may help.
2. I am in the process of purchasing the Gecko Drives myself...
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 129.r1.pdf is the non-gecko drives that may provide help.
I will keep searching for the Gecko Drive setup schematic.
Seth
P.S. Gecko style set up: https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 113.r2.pdf
and...
All...setups: https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... browse.php
I am trying to put in a photo but coming up short. Let me try this idea:
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
Thanks, Seth! This is super helpful.
That first PDF (non-Gecko drives) you linked to as well as the Gecko-specific setup both show the 5VDC input on the steppers connected directly to the power supply. I would assume that "a stepper drive is a stepper drive" no matter the brand/model and more specifically, that the way they work at a low level (e.g. power connections) is basically the same. Looks like I have to buy another bus bar to split the 5VDC power output. Side note: Building a CNC controller/stepper enclosure gets expensive real fast!
I'd like to get confirmation that this is the way to go, even though it certainly looks that way. Thank you again.
That first PDF (non-Gecko drives) you linked to as well as the Gecko-specific setup both show the 5VDC input on the steppers connected directly to the power supply. I would assume that "a stepper drive is a stepper drive" no matter the brand/model and more specifically, that the way they work at a low level (e.g. power connections) is basically the same. Looks like I have to buy another bus bar to split the 5VDC power output. Side note: Building a CNC controller/stepper enclosure gets expensive real fast!
I'd like to get confirmation that this is the way to go, even though it certainly looks that way. Thank you again.
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
Hello,
No issue whatsoever. I looked for the exact Gecko drive you hold, the GR214V, but I did not see an exact schematic from Centroid.
Sometimes generics or generalized info. can give some insight but I think you are right. Getting some confirmation may be more valuable.
Seth
No issue whatsoever. I looked for the exact Gecko drive you hold, the GR214V, but I did not see an exact schematic from Centroid.
Sometimes generics or generalized info. can give some insight but I think you are right. Getting some confirmation may be more valuable.
Seth
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
I would assume that if Centroid publishes the schematic, that it is safe and good to go, but would still like to hear from the community.
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
For Gecko drive to acorn, Use the DB25 connector (5VDC TTL logic) for stepper drives. use a DB25 breakout board like this.mikeintx wrote: ↑Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:27 pm Hello,
I'm new to "CNC from scratch" but have a mechanical and electrical background, so I'm not completely ignorant. I'm building a CNC router system with the Acorn controller and four Gecko GR214V stepper drives through a parallel port breakout board. I've attached the GR214V manual to facilitate assistance.
In Step 6, Connecting Step and Direction Signals, the Gecko manual states:
"CN2 PIN4 COMMON This pin connects to the controller's +5VDC supply terminal if 5V logic is used or a +3.3VDC supply terminal if 3.3V logic signals are used."
As far as I can tell the Acorn does not have a +5VDC output. I seem to remember reading that the parallel connector has a 5VDC line but I don't see that in the H6 pin breakout of the Bench Test diagram (also attached/below). Or, do I just take the 5VDC output from the Meanwell power supply and connect it here? I don't want to let the magic smoke out of anything, either the Acorn or the Gecko drives as neither are cheap!
Thanks in advance for any assistance/advice you may provide.
H6.JPG
https://amzn.to/3Y1PLfU
follow the g214 to Acorn hook up here.
https://www.centroidcnc.com/dealersuppo ... 113.r2.pdf
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
Thanks, cnckeith. I am using that DB25 connector/breakout board.
For the ground connections on the Gecko steppers: Can I run them all to a grounding bus bar and then to the chassis ground/earth, or must the stepper grounds run back to the Acorn COM (which is grounded anyway)? Thanks again.
For the ground connections on the Gecko steppers: Can I run them all to a grounding bus bar and then to the chassis ground/earth, or must the stepper grounds run back to the Acorn COM (which is grounded anyway)? Thanks again.
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
all individual component grounds should go to a ground bus bar mounted in the cabinet to prevent ground loopsmikeintx wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:31 pm Thanks, cnckeith. I am using that DB25 connector/breakout board.
For the ground connections on the Gecko steppers: Can I run them all to a grounding bus bar and then to the chassis ground/earth, or must the stepper grounds run back to the Acorn COM (which is grounded anyway)? Thanks again.
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
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- Posts: 46
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2023 9:16 pm
- Acorn CNC Controller: Yes
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- DC3IOB: No
- CNC12: Yes
- CNC11: No
- CPU10 or CPU7: No
Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
Many thanks, cnckeith!cnckeith wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 7:16 pmall individual component grounds should go to a ground bus bar mounted in the cabinet to prevent ground loopsmikeintx wrote: ↑Thu Jan 26, 2023 4:31 pm Thanks, cnckeith. I am using that DB25 connector/breakout board.
For the ground connections on the Gecko steppers: Can I run them all to a grounding bus bar and then to the chassis ground/earth, or must the stepper grounds run back to the Acorn COM (which is grounded anyway)? Thanks again.
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Re: Does the Acorn have a 5VDC output? (Gecko GR214V stepper requires it)
your welcome.. like this.
Need support? READ THIS POST first. http://centroidcncforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1043
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html
All Acorn Documentation is located here: viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3397
Answers to common questions: viewforum.php?f=63
and here viewforum.php?f=61
Gear we use but don't sell. https://www.centroidcnc.com/centroid_di ... _gear.html