Makerbot Advice Regarding Molex Y Splitters and Wiring
Makerbot Advice Regarding Molex Y Splitters and Wiring
by robosavvy
Tue Feb 01, 2011 4:41 pm
Hi
We've received fresh news from Makerbot about using Molex Y splitters and using them to wire your Makerbot.
In summary, their announcement states that you can (but shouldn't...) use Molex Y spitters to power the stepper motors but power to the Extruder should always come directly from the PSU.
This is how your wiring should look, in case you're using a Molex Y Splitter http://www.flickr.com/photos/makerbot/5404283295/
We've made a change in the wiring instructions for your MakerBot. It's important that you make sure that the power connection in your Thing-O-Matic goes straight from the power supply to the Extruder controller, and that you do not connect it with a Molex Y Splitter. This wiring is highly recommended for all Thing-O-Matic Operators.
*We strongly suggest that you check your Thing-O-Matic or CupCake CNC, and if you do not have a Molex Y Splitter attached, please disregard this email.*
For CupCake CNC owners, this Molex Y Splitter should not be used to power a Relay Board.
This is how your Thing-O-Matic power connection should look. (attached)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/makerbot/5404283295/
The Molex Y Splitters we sent are below specifications to power to the Extruder Controller or Relay Board. They should be fine to power multiple Gen4 Stepper Drivers, but not the Extruder Controller. Again, power needs to go straight from the power supply to the Extruder Controller or Relay Board, and not daisy chained using a Molex Y Splitter attachment.
Most power supplies we shipped with Thing-O-Matics and CupCake CNCs have 4 Molex connectors and don't require a splitter. Our second batch of power supplies had only 3 Molex connectors, and we included a Molex Y splitter so you could hook up all your electronics.
If you do have a Molex Y Splitter, then please make sure that you don't use it to power your Extruder Controller or Relay Board. Due to the greater current demand of the Extruder Board or Relay, we recommend connecting directly to the power supply, and using the Molex Y splitters only to power the Stepper Drivers.
Additional details are available in the blog post here:
http://blog.makerbot.com/2011/01/27/bad ... -splitter/
Thank you for your time, and happy printing!
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Regards
Robosavvy
We've received fresh news from Makerbot about using Molex Y splitters and using them to wire your Makerbot.
In summary, their announcement states that you can (but shouldn't...) use Molex Y spitters to power the stepper motors but power to the Extruder should always come directly from the PSU.
This is how your wiring should look, in case you're using a Molex Y Splitter http://www.flickr.com/photos/makerbot/5404283295/
We've made a change in the wiring instructions for your MakerBot. It's important that you make sure that the power connection in your Thing-O-Matic goes straight from the power supply to the Extruder controller, and that you do not connect it with a Molex Y Splitter. This wiring is highly recommended for all Thing-O-Matic Operators.
*We strongly suggest that you check your Thing-O-Matic or CupCake CNC, and if you do not have a Molex Y Splitter attached, please disregard this email.*
For CupCake CNC owners, this Molex Y Splitter should not be used to power a Relay Board.
This is how your Thing-O-Matic power connection should look. (attached)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/makerbot/5404283295/
The Molex Y Splitters we sent are below specifications to power to the Extruder Controller or Relay Board. They should be fine to power multiple Gen4 Stepper Drivers, but not the Extruder Controller. Again, power needs to go straight from the power supply to the Extruder Controller or Relay Board, and not daisy chained using a Molex Y Splitter attachment.
Most power supplies we shipped with Thing-O-Matics and CupCake CNCs have 4 Molex connectors and don't require a splitter. Our second batch of power supplies had only 3 Molex connectors, and we included a Molex Y splitter so you could hook up all your electronics.
If you do have a Molex Y Splitter, then please make sure that you don't use it to power your Extruder Controller or Relay Board. Due to the greater current demand of the Extruder Board or Relay, we recommend connecting directly to the power supply, and using the Molex Y splitters only to power the Stepper Drivers.
Additional details are available in the blog post here:
http://blog.makerbot.com/2011/01/27/bad ... -splitter/
Thank you for your time, and happy printing!
If you have any questions, please let us know.
Regards
Robosavvy
