Error,

tommylight wrote:

Ok, does linuxcnc start? Does the machine move. Anything?

Linux CNC loads, estop reset and machine on. As soon as it loads it gives the real time error. I can turn it on and home all it moves fast and gives a following error.

I have was put under the impression that the PPMC stuff doesn't use the base thread. It is commented out in my machine.

I received a new PPMC encoder card from John. Linux CNC will boot.

The drives and contacts are all pulsing on and off. It is fast enough that the axes will even get through homing but I am afraid that it will damage the machine.

Have you checked the power source for the relays?

If you have a faulty power source the voltage drop maybe enough to cause your relays to cycle as you described. Using a voltmeter could quickly rule it out.

Check for shorts ect from the source of power to the next relay then work your way downstream of the power flow.

All the voltages that should be present appear to be present. I am not finding AC on the DC side. That is checking from my supply sources and at the relays. They are just turning on and off.

Try to identify if you have a ground that switches to power/enable your relay.

Meaning - instead of a power source going to your relay to power it, another relay controls the ground [-neg/0V] to activate the relay. Power already present at that specific relay waiting on a [-neg/0V] source to activate.

In my set-up on the the interact I had a relay that switched [fluttered] like you stated and it was controlled by a [-neg/0V] switching relay, I found a bad [-neg/0V] wire. It rang out fine, but could not handle any significant load.

Is this all your relays doing this? Or is it a section that controls a specific area?

Can you try to disable/disconnect relays in the series [assuming the problematic ones are in a series] to identify if one is failing causing a cascading effect. I know electrical gremlins are difficult to track down.

If you want give me a call and I can try to give you hand in troubleshooting.