testing step and direction output in advanced diagnostics

[thomsl@mac.com]

Is there a way to check to see if the Acorn board is producing step and direction outputs. I am having difficulty controlling a stepper motor axis and have tried 2 different drivers. One driver worked for a while the other driver sends power to the motor. The motor is locked in place but when I try to move the motor it does not move. The other X and Y Axis do move. any help or suggestions are appreciated.

[centroid467]

If you have an oscilloscope available, then it would be easiest to use that and look at the step and direction outputs from the DB25.


If you do not have an oscilloscope, you can verify that the direction signals change on the DB25 using a DC voltmeter. Red lead to the direction output and black to the power supply common.

Step signal is not easy to observe with a DC voltmeter but in practice, you can tell whether or not it is outputting pulses on the DB25. Red lead goes to the step output and black to power supply common. When the step line is idle, it will either be 0V or 5V. When it is outputting pulses, the voltage reading will be somewhere between.