Torch On/Off Relay Connection

[sphurley]

So with the DB25 and the USB plugged in and Mach NOT running is the relay on?
Sounding like a parallel port issue.

[IndustrialRec]

So with the DB25 and the USB plugged in and Mach NOT running is the relay on?
Sounding like a parallel port issue.

The relay will remain open with parallel port plugged in. But as soon as it the board receives the 5V (from either USB or hardwired) that relay closes and cannot be controlled.

[sphurley]

You need to test Pin 17 of the DB25. It should not have 5volts on it if the logic is turned off.
You are 100% sure the DB25 cable is good?

[IndustrialRec]

You need to test Pin 17 of the DB25. It should not have 5volts on it if the logic is turned off.
You are 100% sure the DB25 cable is good?

Ok, my DB25 alone does not trigger the relay to close, with or without Mach open. The only time the we can get the relay to close is by adding 5v of power either through the USB or through a 5v wire to the board, but cannot get it to open once the 5V has been applied to the board.....
We believe the DB25 cable is good.... bi-directional etc. It there something else I should be concerned with?

[sphurley]

So let's backtrack. With the DB25 disconnected, the board powered up, the relay does not close, correct?
If that is the case then the board is being told to close the relay because pin 17 has a logic level 1 on it.
You need to measure pin 17 by itself. ( not easy to do)
Here is one option: https://www.amazon.com/RS232-DB25-BREAK ... B005H46XS2

[sphurley]

OK, Pin17 on a "normal" computer parallel port is "select printer". Have you gone thru the PC and made it a standalone no frills computer?
On Mach's web site should be a list of what to do to make a computer compatible with Mach. Windows XP is by far the best with Mach.
What version of Windows are you trying?

[IndustrialRec]

The relay closes as soon as the USB power is applied. We are running a "stock" refurb computer running XP. I have run a parallel port tester and noticed that when Output #1 set to Pin 17 does not trigger that pin, But if I change Output #1 to Pin 8 it does register on my tester when the M03 is given. Seems like Pin 17 is not sending signal out.... Our biggest problem is not being able to control the relay switch once it has power. I saw you mentioned charge pump in an earlier post, could you explain those settings?

[sphurley]

The "charge pump" is a safety on some controller boards (always a good idea in my book) If the controllers loses the computer pulses it stops all motion and will not come out of reset.

[sphurley]

PS, How do you have the parallel port set up in windows/bios?

[IndustrialRec]

PS, How do you have the parallel port set up in windows/bios?

So the charge pump is not necessary? I have tried it in PS/2 compatibility, EPP and ECP. It is currently in ECP mode.

[sphurley]

I think Mach likes EPP best. Have you run the parallel port test in Mach?

[IndustrialRec]

I think Mach likes EPP best. Have you run the parallel port test in Mach?

When I ran EPP my motors stopped responding to jog commands.... I have run my parallel port tester in Mach and can't get any signal to register through Pin 17. That is my problem I believe. I can get other pins to register signal being sent.

[sphurley]

Sound like you have a PC issue.

[sphurley]

If you remove the jumper next to the relay, does the relay drop out?

[IndustrialRec]

If you remove the jumper next to the relay, does the relay drop out?

It does. We are thinking about just bypassing the onboard relay & put a single pole double throw relay externally and connecting it to a Pin that we have control over like Output #1 - Pin 8. Any reason that wouldn't work?

[sphurley]

You should be able to run a jumper from the relay side of that jumper you removed to pin 1 or 8 and yes make that your output #1 and use the onboard relay

[IndustrialRec]

You should be able to run a jumper from the relay side of that jumper you removed to pin 1 or 8 and yes make that your output #1 and use the onboard relay

I think I'm following what you're saying.... any chance you could draw something up really quick? Again Thank YOU for trying to help with this.

[sphurley]

Heading out for a few but when I get back I'll see what I can do.

[IndustrialRec]

Heading out for a few but when I get back I'll see what I can do.

We got it to work! We ran a jumper from 8 to the relay jumper like you suggested. Thanks again for all of your help! Now time for the fine tuning and probably more questions..... haha

[sphurley]

Sorry I had to renew my Corel Draw/Paint program. I hate yearly subscriptions.

5Axistop2.jpg

Sound like you got it going.

[marcnaz]

Looks like you got it working, but for others who may be having issues...
I have the same breakout board and 45xp. If you don't have 12-24 volts connected the relay won't work. Also the jumper must be on the pins to activate the relay for pin 17.
You can change the relay to either NO/NC by simply checking or unchecking the active low setting in Mach. If the relay is activating when you close mach or at other unwanted times, your mach3 settings are most likely incorrect. I used output 5 and can turn on/off the torch with the "Torch on/off button in Mach and gcodes M03/M05.
In ports and pins, under the spindle setup tab, relay control (top left section), enter output 5 next to clockwise. CWW doesn't require any entry.
In ports and pins under output tab, next to output #5 enter port 1, pin 17. (unless you use a different parallel port) Active low most likely should not be checked for a NO switch which closes to fire the torch. The 2 connections on the board for the relay look correct... to pins 3/4 on the cpc connections on the plasma cutter using a machine torch.