help needed with my set up

[Clive S]

How exactly have you wired the drives to the bob.

Have you connected 5v to the bob

[amxen]

im running the 5v needed to power it from the usb port as every one iv talked to say that's how they run it. so im not sure if the 2 end pins need connecting as its getting its 5v from the usb. from my understanding pin14 is en- and en+ goes to 5v on the end . only from what iv seen on other videos. so this is how I have it. some one has told me I don't need to wire in the en- for now just for testing but I have tried it both ways and it still the same. To be honest im going round and round in circles with this now

[Clive S]

im running the 5v needed to power it from the usb port as every one iv talked to say that's how they run it. so im not sure if the 2 end pins need connecting as its getting its 5v from the usb. from my understanding pin14 is en- and en+ goes to 5v on the end . only from what iv seen on other videos. so this is how I have it. some one has told me I don't need to wire in the en- for now just for testing but I have tried it both ways and it still the same. To be honest im going round and round in circles with this now

You should not need anything connected to the enable pin on the bob. Can you draw a simple sketch to show exactly how you have connected the drive to the bob.. I have used many of these bobs and they work fine

[amxen]

You should not need anything connected to the enable pin on the bob. Can you draw a simple sketch to show exactly how you have connected the drive to the bob.. I have used many of these bobs and they work fine

as soon as I get home ill draw something . but im sure its correct but yes I can do that . I think I read some where that it may be that the input from the parallel port is only 3.7v dc saying it need to be 4.5v dc to activate something on the bob . Now im really clutching at straws but any hope is hope just now

[Clive S]

I think I read some where that it may be that the input from the parallel port is only 3.7v dc saying it need to be 4.5v dc to activate something on the bob .

The bob will convert the 3.7v to the required output so that will not be the problem.

[cropwell]

Have you got the 12-24v power connected ? - there is no mention of it so far ! That is needed to drive the electronics of the BoB. The 5v USB connection only powers the input opto-isolators.

[amxen]

it is my understanding that connecting the 12 24v to the bob is only to enable the use of the limit and estop on the other side of the bob.

[Clive S]

Have you got the 12-24v power connected ? - there is no mention of it so far ! That is needed to drive the electronics of the BoB. The 5v USB connection only powers the input opto-isolators.

Rob you are getting old like me It is the other way round, it needs the 12-24v for the inputs to work

[amxen]

none of the videos I watch show the 2 end pins connected .

I am grateful for the input though as it really is stressing me just now

[A_Camera]

none of the videos I watch show the 2 end pins connected .

I am grateful for the input though as it really is stressing me just now

What do you mean by "end" pins?

You should make a simple drawing showing your connections. I have two similar BOBs and they work flawless since several years. You should also check the voltage (logic levels) on the inputs of the BOB. When you change direction the DIR signal should change polarity from high to low or low to high. If that does not happen no direction change will take place. Also, eStop must be configured right, as well as the limit switches. You should also know that just because something worked before does not meat it works today as well...

It is also not a good idea to use the USB cable as power supply for the BOB, even if everyone you talked to does it. Again, just because it works for them, it does not mean it works for you. Not all USB are created the same, and by definition USB can supply maximum 500mA, which normally should be enough for your BOB, but if something is wrong with your PC then you may not get the needed current, or maybe THAT specific USB is not able for it. Anyway, external 5V supply is better.

Is it Mach3 you are using? Are you sure nothing wrong with the configuration of ports and pins?