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Topics - OldePhart

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Running a PMDX-126 and -107 on a 220v 3 wire power circuit. (2 phases and ground) .
I was getting spurious signal triggers and found that signal ground from J11,12,13 float. I think it says that in the docs so I wasn't surprised.
However I find that chassis ground to signal ground measures 50Vac and I'm sure that is the reason for the spurious signal triggers.
So I tied the signal ground to chassis ground and that fixed the issue... But I'm sure you left them floating for a reason,. Do you think this is a mistake and if so what other solution is there?

In addition what about the PC ground (J1-6) which are also floating at 50VAC ref to chassis. Should I ground it as well?

You carefully designed it to not be ground referenced so how badly am I messing this up by using a common ground for all?   

Its a new build, not retrofitting anything.

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The Doc says that if I have a PMDX-126 (Rev C) , an ESS and a PMDX-107, I have to power the ESS from a separate 5v supply. Is that still true? I thought I heard Steve say that was no longer a problem, but I may have imagined it. 

If still true, which jumpers do I need to open? J3 and J4, but I thought there was a third one. I'm looking through the doc now but haven't located that info yet. 

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I bought the pmdx-126 and a smoothstepper and am wiring it up today.  I have a single motor hooked up, enable works as indicated by the clearpath LED changing color, and I can see the step and direction LEDs lite up when I enter the boards test mode and hold the button down. But the clearpath doesn't move.  Moves fine under clearpath software (USB connection).  is there an incompatibility with the test signal and the clearpath? Other ideas?

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posted in wrong forum

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I want to create a electrical drawing of my system, Are there line drawings of the -126, and -107 boards somewhere? Not a board schematic, though I wouldn't turn that down, more like a board drawing with the connectors labeled so I can draw lines from each component to the next.

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Can the -107 be mounted with a ribbon cable instead of to the board? It has an uncomfortable twist in it when I use the screw and I would prefer to mount it on the same plane as the ESS and the -126 anyway.

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Building my first (and probably last) CNC using ClearPath Steppers. After more than 2 years I finally have the hardware done (dual motor gantry) and its time up build the electrics.  I originally assumed I would use the PMDX-126 and a smooth-stepper because Mach 4 was still not ready and the 126/SS was top of the line. The 424 is available now and Mach4 is also stable so I am wondering if I should reconsider.

The driving PC will not have a parallel port so I have to use USB or a Smooth-stepper. I was never a fan of USB as I thought it would be less reliable. Ethernet was meant for sustained traffic over hours and USB was not. However if that were really a problem, market forces would come into play and these boards wouldn't exist for long. So I must be wrong there.

I am also assuming that Smooth-stepper is not available/advisable/needed for the 424?

In addition I read that the 424 output pulses are independently controlled/timed separate from the control pulses, I guess thats the  "smart" part of Smart-Bob? Do I understand that correctly? How well does that work out and what made that necessary? Will that be a factor when driving the clearpath motors?

So I guess I need some guidance, when would someone select the 424 over the 126/SS combo?
I appreciate your input.

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