Gerbil First Time Use - no go
Hi, Having the gerbil board to hand I'm wondering if the board is shipped with firmware loaded or if I need to flash the board with the grbl sketch. I ask because I've plugged it into the laptop and started the serial monitor and there is no activity. No LEDs light although I get a COM port instance for the board. Does it need 5V power or does the GERBIL board run off USB power.?
I have used the base version of grbl before and it works so I know what to expect regarding the interface through the serial monitor.
Cheers
Peter.
Hi Peter,
the board is powered via the power connector on the shield and not via the usb connector. Try to hook a 5 volt source on to the shield or use a 9v battery on the controller via the barrel jack connector.
All boards have been tested by Skyzer before shipping
let me know how it goes, cheers Paul
OK. I thought I should try uploading a sample sketch to the Gerbil board , I compiled blink.ino for the elektor board and it fails to upload, essentially hangs, no LEDs flash to indicate I/O status . I'm thinking that I have a dead GERBIL.
Cheers,
Peter.
Paul, I've powered it off a plugpack and have it working. Thanks for the tip.
Peter.
So, it needs to be powered from an external source when installed in my machine? If so, what voltage and I would guess center pin is + right?
So Paul, when I install mine into my machine do I need to provide a 5 volt source to the barrel plug to make it function or does the usb power it for use in my machine as I see nothing in the installation instructions about powering the board.
The big 4 pin connector on the k40 shield takes 24v for the stepper motors and 5 v for the controller from the laser power supply. The barrel jack on the controller is not used unless you have a different set up and don’t use the 5v from the laser power supply. The usb does not power the controller. This is done by purpose to keep the pc electronically separated from the laser system (safety reason)