Stepper driver voltages - using different levels

[routercnc]

Hi Jonathan,

Thanks for the Z axis motor info. It has been many years since I looked at the data for the Z axis motor so I will check it when the time comes and follow your advice accordingly.

I hear what you are saying about cutting aluminium and the feedrates / driver requirements, and that in itself it does not justify an upgrade. My experience has been that cutting aluminium on the MK2 machine (which is about to be replaced with my MK3 machine, details to follow) was a bit hit and miss with aluminium sticking to the tool and lots of vibration etc due to the wooden gantry sides (!) and unsupported wooden bed (!). The new machine should be so much better structurally that I felt that to make best use of it overall I wanted to match it with better drivers and that was really driving my questions.

[routercnc]

There seem to be alot of sellers listing the MA860H drivers such as below:

CNC Kit CNC Breakout Board +Cables+ 3 Axis MA860H Stepper Driver Controller 7.2A | eBay

How would you rate these compared to the DQ860MA mentioned in post #2?

I know you like to make you own linear supplies, but I would prefer to go for another ready made switched mode such as:
CNC Power Supply 350W 60V 6A For CNC Stepper Motor Driver MA860H M542H NEMA34 | eBay
Any views on that one?

Thanks for your help.

[Jonathan]

The MA860H looks to be the same as the DQ860MA, except rated for 80VAC instead of 80VDC ... which is quite a big difference. It implies you could just get a toroidal transformer with a 50VAC (or 2*25V etc) secondary winding and connect it to the drivers, which is quite convenient.

However they are quite a lot more expensive than the DQ860MA - have you checked on AliExpress.com - Online Shopping for Electronics, Fashion, Home & Garden, Toys & Sports, Automobiles from China. You can also e-mail wantai-motor directly and they'll probably give you a good price. They did for me at least.

Why do you prefer to go for the SMPS? It's a much more expensive option.

[routercnc]

The specs say that the MA860H will take both 80VAC and 110V DC, which is probably why it is more expensive.

I'll check out AliExpress and add DQ860MA to my list of possibles.

I don't touch mains projects and am quite happy to pay extra for a ready made SMPS.

Thanks

[Clive S]

The specs say that the MA860H will take both 80VAC and 110V DC, which is probably why it is more expensive.

I'll check out AliExpress and add DQ860MA to my list of possibles.

I don't touch mains projects and am quite happy to pay extra for a ready made SMPS.

Thanks

Here PS806-5 Linear power supply. If you don't want to build one. ..Clive

[routercnc]

Thanks Clive that's good to know. Hadn't consider the ready made linear route. I see it also gives 5v which would power the types of BoB which use terminals rather than USB power. All good info . . .

[Jonathan]

Here PS806-5 Linear power supply. If you don't want to build one. ..Clive

£114 including VAT and shipping ... wow.

So long as you don't need it within the next 2 weeks, I'll make you one for £65, but using a 600VA transformer not 500VA as 500VA is a bit on the small side for 4 motors. It wont look as pretty but it'll work.

I'm not going to try and encourage you to start touching mains projects, as I don't know your reasons for not doing so. However, should you decide to then there's a good thread detailing what to do and if you want any advice it wont cost a penny....

[routercnc]

I don't need the electrics yet - not for a month or so. Need to finish the machine first.

That's a kind offer thankyou - but am I missing something then with this sort of thing?:

600W 60V 10A Switching Power Supply With Current Control Charger LED CCTV UKD | eBay

I've read that the back EMF of the steppers means you need to overspec the current of the SMPS - is that where the above would limit the performance of the 80V driver setup over the linear 600VA type?

As for mains there are just too many risks for me. Not only the first switch on, but later on with perhaps a poor earth or even a fire. I need something which has been built, tested and warranted so that I can get on with the bit I enjoy which is the Engineering and machining.

Thanks