Hello, I have NEMA 23 steppers that are 4 amps. I am worried about the 4 amp maximum limit of the black box. Is there a way to attach external stepper drivers to the Blackbox? GlenB
No easy way to add external drivers to the blackbox, but you don't need to worry about it - you should run steppers at about 60~80% of their maximum rating (2.4~2.8 amps) - well within the capacity of the drivers in the blackbox. Stepper drivers control the current to the motors by limiting the voltage (voltage "chopping") so you won't damage the blackbox. Even if you set the current too high the drivers in the blackbox will shut down before they are damaged. Alex.
Note that the current rating is a "max" Just like your car engine has a max rev limit of 7000rpm, but you cruise along at 2-3000rpm most of the time. Run it as 7000 all the time, how long will the engine last? Same thing with motors, that current rating is the "do not exceed or it will be damaged" value, not the "recommended running value" You'd be fine running those motors on the BlackBox current-wise. Do note there are other more important parameters to make sure the motors are a good fit: - Coil voltage (or calculated from Coil resistance and current rating) - 3-6v for optimal performance. Higher voltage ratings will be slower on acceleration - Inductance: 1-2mH - Higher will suffer too much back-EMF causing self-braking limiting top speeds - Must be Bipolar
OK, thinking about trying the BlackBox. I see there are a number of accessories there too. Do I need the connectors, fan, etc. ?? GlenB
Fan is preinstalled, as are the connectors for connecting to the BlackBox (you can order extras if you want to make up easily pluggable extension cables for yourself)
Hi Peter is it normal for the gains to light up with red ! When turn up did about a 1/4 turn on all then had to dial back down till lights went off?
