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Opt Laser Comes On on Power Up, Can't shut it off. Help!

Discussion in 'Laser Cutters' started by sandman450, Sep 29, 2021.

  1. sandman450

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    Hello,

    I just finished building an ACRO 55 Laser Kit which is paired with OpenBuilds Blackbox and OpenBuilds Meanwell 24 Volt Power Supply. I chose an OptLaser PLH3D-2W Laser for use on my Acro. I have everything connected up, all axis' are moving perfectly but the issue is as soon as I power up the BlackBox, The laser powers on with no intervention from me at all and stays on and will not shut down when I try in the OpenBuilds Control Software. I verified the 4 wires off the Opt Laser are connected to the correct ports on the BlackBox. No matter what I have tried, the laser comes on when it powers up and stays on.

    Can anybody help me figure this out? Anything I can try? Thank You for your time.
     
  2. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Have you got Laser Mode enabled in Grbl Settings?

    What does the tool on LED on front of BlackBox reflect as and when you control it from software (disconnect laser wiring for this) - does the LED go off when you turn it off, and on when you turn it on? - ie isolating settings/blackbox from the laser itself, see what the output is doing. If its doing it correctly, it still points to laser wiring or module

    Nb, do above test with laser wiring disconnected, so any mistakes externally doesnt reflect during that test

    Also, any history like an earlier wiring mistake - worth declaring so we don't chase a problem with a known damage cause (like wiring 24v into the 5v PWM output by mistake by swopping wires accidentally - kills the pin on the microcontroller)
     
  3. sandman450

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    I know for sure Laser Mode is enabled in software. I'll check your next suggestion and let you know results. Thank you for fast reply!!!!
     
  4. sandman450

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    Okay, I unhooked the laser PWM lead from the blackbox. When I trigger the tool in the software, the blackbox shows Green for Tool On. When I toggle TOOL OFF in the software, the TOOL ON light goes off. If I plug in my Opt Laser regardless of what I do, It powers up soon as I plug it in and can't shut it off. I did as the instructions said and I took the jumper pin off the Relay pins in the BlackBox if that matters.
     
  5. sandman450

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    Another interesting development with the Opt Laser plugged back in, I selected Laser on at 100% and it clicked and turned off. If I select any other power percentage, It comes back on. Wow!!! This is really a learning experience! Do I have have something else in the firmware I need to change to correct this?
     
    #5 sandman450, Sep 29, 2021
    Last edited: Sep 29, 2021
  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Indicates the BlackBox and Grbl settings are correct. That LED is directly on the PWM signal.
     
  7. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Custom firmware or stock grbl that came with it? Post your wiring, seems inverted
     
  8. sandman450

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    I'm using stock firmware from openbuilds with no changes made. Any chance you could tell me what settings I need to change in the firmware to make it work properly?
     
  9. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    See above:

    Its not settings, or the LED would be wrong too...

    As the output from the controller is correct (per LEDs) its more likely a wiring issue. Some of their modules have flexibility in wiring analog or digital signals, so do post pics and we'll be happy to check.
     
  10. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    seems like the PWM on the laser is inverted. ie M3 S1000 (5v on pin) turns it off, S0 or S500 turns it on.
     
  11. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Which you can only achieve by recompiling Grbl (which he says he did not)

    Or some laser modules (and all CO2 PSUs) have options for TH or TL (Trigger high vs Trigger low) inputs, thus why I am hoping we see some wiring pics.
     
  12. David the swarfer

    David the swarfer OpenBuilds Team
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    not what I am thinking (-: the LASER is inverted, so he is using the TH input if it has such a thing, if it has onlyone input then it is acting inverted, as an TL type..
    exactly.
     
    Peter Van Der Walt likes this.
  13. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Ahh gotcha. Yeah, same thinking. Firmware is correct, laser is inverted (wiring or jumpers if laser has any)
     

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