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1

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Re: Upgrading from Sound Logic PC-2 to PMDX-126 & PMDX-107

« on: August 19, 2020, 10:58:02 AM »

Thank you, that's all very good information.

Yes I am looking to upgrade from Mach 3 to Mach 4 and end the reliance on parallel ports.  There is pretty good documentation from Warp 9 on the voltage requirements of the Ethernet Smooth Stepper, and one of their options is to use an old phone charger.  Just thought I would check all my bases before starting so I don't fry some expensive hardware in the process.

Lee

2

Parallel Port breakout boards, motherboards, and dedicated accessories / Upgrading from Sound Logic PC-2 to PMDX-126 & PMDX-107

« on: August 19, 2020, 12:05:56 AM »

I have a Bob Campbell control box using the Cullins Sound Logic PC-2 board.  I have run into issues with both the control box and the computer that came with it (running 32-bit Win 7).  I would like to build a new control box based around the combination of a 126 BOB and 107 spindle speed controller and an ESS Smoothstepper.  The existing box has 2 360W power supplies (24V @ 15A) and 4 Gecko 251 Rev 9 drivers.

I can obviously re-use the Gecko drivers, but I am not sure how to determine the correct power supply.  I know that the Smooth Stepper requires a 5V power supply, and if I understand the PMDX-126 manual correctly, it gets fed 115v AC power directly from the outlet.  The Gecko's require DC power between 15 and 50 volts.

Should I just add a 5V supply for the smooth stepper and keep the two others that I have, or is there a different rated power supply I should be using?  I would like to learn as much as possible doing this so even just links to where I could read more on the topic would be appreciated.  Happy to provide any additional information that would be useful.

Thank you,
Lee