The more I read, the more lost I get. Help me suite my first build.

[eurikain]

What you are looking for is "linear power supply" as opposed to "switch mode power supply". Might help in a search. Commercially, the kind of thing you are looking for is "PS806-12 Linear power supply" from Zapp. I'm sure that you could build one for less, as already suggested, but the Zapp supply is the kind of specification that you need. I'm currently running an MDF router with one of these supplies, three SY60 motors, and M752 drivers. These drivers are old analogue boxes, now superseded by things like the AM882, but the combination is fine for this class of machine. The MDF structure can't take much more power anyway!

Thanks ! I've been struggling with this for a while. Are you sure that Zapp's will work ? It says it's 68V 6A. I think I would need something like 12A (=4.2A * 4 * .7) ?
I just checked and the M752 is very close to the AM882, but for $8 difference I think I'd rather go with AM882 :)
How heavy is your MDF machine, what is the area ? My gantry is a 1500 x 350 x 140mm torsion box (1 horizontal rib and 6 vertical ones) made from 22mm MDF. Approximated weight with Z and spindle is about 60kg. I think I overbuilt this haha.

Mostly the reason why you'll struggle to find a full start to finish guide is for the legal side of things. Now with due respect to Mycnc Forum members, who are ALL obviously highly intelligent by the fact they joined, but I know there are still lots of Muppets out there who watch but don't fully read or take time to ask or understand what's involved but instead jump in with both feet eyes shut.!!

I understand 100%. But a disclaimer is enough to warn people, right ? Plus, it legally protects you from being held responsible of anything. Too bad that shops like Zapp's won't make those tutorials, since they commercially sell those things.

So if you get no joy just ask and I'll gladly help but I won't post it here. PM me then just you, me and one other will read it.!!

That didn't fall on deaf ears ;) I will PM you some time this week. First need to finish my "stepper problem" thread :) Then will order BOB, AM882s, and motors. Maybe I'll ask Fred at BST Automation if he can get those for me.

Thanks to everyone for their kindness and the time they spent replying to me ! It's nice to see this lively community, that I will try my best to give back to when I get the opportunity.

[cropwell]

I understand 100%. But a disclaimer is enough to warn people, right ? Plus, it legally protects you from being held responsible of anything. Too bad that shops like Zapp's won't make those tutorials, since they commercially sell those things.

In legal terms disclaimers mean diddley squat Everything is biased towards protecting the stupid consumer - ask any retailer !!

[eurikain]

In legal terms disclaimers mean diddley squat

Couldn't find a correct french translation for that slang one :/ I'm guessing you're saying "not worth anything" ;)

[cropwell]

Couldn't find a correct french translation for that slang one :/ I'm guessing you're saying "not worth anything" ;)

Even less than that mate !

[eurikain]

Huh, weird, I thought they were commonly recognized, like open source licenses (GNU, Apache...). I'll give a call to my lawyer when I get time, I'm interested in the subject :)

[Neale]

Huh, weird, I thought they were commonly recognized, like open source licenses (GNU, Apache...). I'll give a call to my lawyer when I get time, I'm interested in the subject :)

...and if your lawyer knows something about electrical things as well, you'll be laughing:)

The problem here is that a simple linear PSU is about a simple an electrical circuit as you can get, but the consequences of getting it wrong are serious. Get a proximity switch or BOB-to-driver wiring wrong, and you're unlikely to do anything much more serious than pop a fuse or give yourself a serious bit of head-scratching to do. Get mains wiring wrong and fatal shock or significant fire hazard are possible. In principle, it should be easy to describe but I wouldn't like to explain how to identify the wiring on a toroidal transformer with twin 110/220V primary windings. If you understand it, then you don't need the explanation and if you need the explanation, then you probably shouldn't try it! Which leaves the question about how you do learn through experience, and Jazz's suggestion that it needs a private one-one conversation that can be tailored to exactly your set of components, not some bunch of kit that someone else might buy randomly from eBay, is the way to go.

[eurikain]

...and if your lawyer knows something about electrical things as well, you'll be laughing:)

Haha, my lawyer won't probably know anything about electricity, but may be about disclaimers :D

The problem here is that a simple linear PSU is about a simple an electrical circuit as you can get, but the consequences of getting it wrong are serious. Get a proximity switch or BOB-to-driver wiring wrong, and you're unlikely to do anything much more serious than pop a fuse or give yourself a serious bit of head-scratching to do. Get mains wiring wrong and fatal shock or significant fire hazard are possible. In principle, it should be easy to describe but I wouldn't like to explain how to identify the wiring on a toroidal transformer with twin 110/220V primary windings. If you understand it, then you don't need the explanation and if you need the explanation, then you probably shouldn't try it! Which leaves the question about how you do learn through experience, and Jazz's suggestion that it needs a private one-one conversation that can be tailored to exactly your set of components, not some bunch of kit that someone else might buy randomly from eBay, is the way to go.

Words of wisdom :) I'll contact Jazz in a few days. Thanks a lot for giving me the heads up !