Firing hypertherm 45

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sarahnbj
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Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

I am converting a torchmate 2 to a plasma table and it doesn't have a built in relay. Torchmate no longer makes the external relay so I am trying to make one. I thought I could just buy one off of eBay but it doesn't work correctly. It fires the plasma at all times, when I check it with an ohms tester it shows no connection across the screwsbut as soon as I touch the plasma cable to the screws it fires.
Screenshot_2016-07-30-10-56-19.png
This is the relay I'm talking about. Any suggestions would be great.

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sphurley
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sphurley »

That is a solid state DC relay. Are you trying to use the PM45 torch fire contacts? You will note the output on a DC SSR is polarity sensitive.
Let me pull a PM45 manual, I think its open contact
Steve
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sphurley
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sphurley »

Manual doesn't really show. I would swap your wires on 1 and 2 and see what happens.
Steve
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tcaudle
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by tcaudle »

Not too sure that is going to work. I am pretty sure there has to be voltage on 1 - 2 for it to turn on and the torch fire circuit probably does not supply enough DC volts or current for it to work. I would try reversing it as suggested but if that fails , revert to a conventional relay with "dry" contacts. The problem with any SSR (AC or DC) is it's designed to switch voltage and logic level inputs are not usually enough . On an AC side they need current to be flowing to turn on and if the load is using a speed control with soft start there is no current that will result to keep the output side turned on . Sometimes its hard to beat a simple relay for both isolation and to switch a wide range of load types with simple mechanical contacts
sarahnbj
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

I wasn't thinking about it being dc and it would block current in reverse. I retested ohms paying attention to positive and negative. This time it show current passing through without input side being hooked up. Bad relay??
sarahnbj
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

I just tested the output wire on signal generator and they put out 4.5 volts when plasma is activated. So my next question is where to find a mechanical relay? I'm not sure where to find electronic supplies besides eBay and that didn't work out to well
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WyoGreen
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by WyoGreen »

Precision Plasma gantry
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sphurley
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sphurley »

https://www.amazon.com/Tolako-Module-Ar ... elay&psc=1
If you hurry you can have it tomorrow
Steve
Platform CNC Plasma table
CandCNC Ethercut IV DTHC
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sarahnbj
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

Thanks for all the responses so far, I have another question. I am looking at the Tolako module from Amazon it has a pin for positive, negative and signal. I only have two wires positive and negative so could I just splice the positive wire and use it on the positive pin and the signal pin?
sphurley
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sphurley »

Yes, put 5vdc to positive and the signal
Steve
Platform CNC Plasma table
CandCNC Ethercut IV DTHC
Hypertherm 85/CPC/RS485
Miller 350P
Miller Dynasty 280DX
sarahnbj
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

I will get it ordered and hopefully it will be here when I get back home next weekend. I really appreciate the help. Thank you!!
tcaudle
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by tcaudle »

If your driver from the BoB has enough current capability it would work. That relay takes 35 ma or so to turn on so the BoB has to SOURCE that much and that is above most logic circuits (they are not designed to drive a relay coil). You may have to provide a source of 5 volts for the coil (small wallwart will work) or even the +5 from the PC or the BoB if it has the power pin . The SIGNAL pin is to turn it on with a logic level signal . (low current.
sarahnbj
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Re: Firing hypertherm 45

Post by sarahnbj »

Update: I installed relay this morning it is now firing. I found that the signal wire needed to be hooked up to negative to fire, not positive.
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