Huanyang VFD control plugin for Mach3, USB RS-485

[JayPunchbuggy]

Hmmm... I used an RS-232 to RS-485 converter, not a USB one. Wonder it this could make a difference? Will think about it.

Are you able to enter a target rate into Mach3 and then hit F5 and get the spindle to start and reach that rate?

[martin54]

I've read about people having problems with usb to serial converters because of the 2 different chip sets used the FTDI chipset is suppose to be the one to use & that is what I have on another computerused, it is also set up as a virtual serial port & has never given me any problems.
Set this one up just the same way.

After starting mach3 & getting a couple of error messages I get the successfully installed message & can reset the stop button that flashes when mach3 opens.
Now if I just try to start the spindle there is a click & the estop starts flashing, tried reducing the speed but same thing just keeps happening.
If I load some gcode & start mach3 then the spindle starts, the machine moves to the correct starting position & then starts to cut the job, it then seems to just stop for no reason, the estop will be flashing & I need to reset it again. Doesn't happen on the same line of code everytime but it is always an estop condition, can't see anything on the diagnostic screen but then again I wouldn't know what I was looking for anyway lol.

[JayPunchbuggy]

Hi,

Because it works a little bit, it sounds like a noise issue on the signal lines. Usually RS-485 is quite immune to noise.

I used one of these from eBay:
RS-232 to RS-485 Adapter Interface Converter | eBay

I wired it with a shielded twisted pair cable, connecting the shield to earth ONLY at the PC's side.

Can you supply details on how your inverter is wired and connected to the computer?

Cheers,
Jay

[martin54]

It's connected using one of these that I actually bought for something else a while ago Jay.

USB to RS485 Adapter Dongle Converter FTDI Chipset - EPOS, CCTV, Industrial | eBay

Cable was a length of 0.5 CY cable that I had left over from wiring up the drivers. Shield wasn't run to ground at either end so will try running it to ground at computer end when I go up the unit today.

I just used bit's that I already had but if they are not suitable then I will happily go out & buy the right bits if it means it will work. The motherboard has a serial connection on it already so wouldn't be a problem to use that although it does drive my plotter at the moment.

[martin54]

Had another look at the machine today, no warnings on start up now but still bringing up estop. I'm wondering if it could be some sort of interference as the indicated spindle speed in mach3 was all over the place but the spindle seemed to be running fairly consistently when running before stopping when the estop came up.
If it is interference then what can I do to fix the problem??

Spindle will now start some of the time & runs for a period of time, never more than a minute or 2 though & most of the time nowhere near that long.

[John S]

Go Config > General config and in top right change the top debounce setting to 2000 then try that if it still barfs out go 4000
Don't worry about the high numbers they are in microseconds.
It makes it take longer before it polls for a fault.

[JayPunchbuggy]

If it is interference then what can I do to fix the problem??

You could try:
1) make sure the shield of the RS485 cable is actually earthed by the checking the continuity of it to the PCs chassis
2) Ensure that the RS485 cable is not run near sources of interference, like the spindle cable. Especially avoid running the RS485 cable parallel to any other of these cables.
3) try a lower baud rate
4) reposition the USB to RS485 converter

Hope this helps! To suggest more, a photo or more detailed description of your wiring would be useful.

Cheers,
Jay

[martin54]

Just a quick update on this as I have gone over everything again & also tried the converter that Jay had bought & uses.
Had all sorts of different messages depending if it was via the serial to 485 connection or the usb connection.
it will run run on the plugin on this thread but stops at some stage. On the original mach3 plug in that is available via the mach forum it starts the spindle, cuts the job, returns to zero but does not stop the spindle.
Actually got some work to do that I get paid for just now so this is going to have to wait. Just as well I haven't been asked for any work that I would need to use the router for lol.

[drumsticksplinter]

Hi Guys,

The first post about this plugin intrigued me so I ordered the usb to rs-485 converter and waited 2 weeks for it to come... I've finally got around to testing the setup today and I'm experiencing a similar problem to Martin. I've installed the usb to rs-485 converter and that seems to be ok. The plugin config screen is working and states that communication with the vfd has been established and pulls the max spindle speed and frequency to display them in the splash screen, so I can be sure that a connection has been made. I then try and fire the spindle up and I get a click from the vfd then mach3 is put into emergency stop situation. I've tried running from an M03 command via the MDI screen and the same happens. I've not tested with any gcode because I don't have any that I know works (not finished my machine build yet).

I have tried with the spindle wired to the vfd and without. I've tried with an old serial cable with the shield grounded to my pc case. I'll maybe try and find a bit of twisted pair cable like Jay said, see if thats any different. As for the parameters, I've done exactly as the ones provided by the guy who compiled the plugin. Oh, and I've also tried with the baud rate reduced to 4800...

Any other pointers would be helpful as I'm starting to wonder how reliable this method is going to be if its that sensitive to noise...

[JayPunchbuggy]

Hi,
Im not sure why its not working, sorry. However, The comments from the author might help.

http://royaumedeole.fr/informatique/...-huanyang-vfd/

I just read them over again and remembered this setting that needed to be changed:

"In Mach3 under Ports & Pins -> Spindle Setup ensure Disable Spindle Relays is unchecked under « Relay Control »Restart Mach3."

If that doesn't help, the author of the plug in might be able to assist. Once it works, it really is great. Good luck!

Jay