Mesa 7i43 + 7i29 (x2)

Thanks, good to know I'm on the right track.

I often see the 7i37 mentioned in the same breath along with the 5i20 and 7i33. I get the 7i33 - it converts the PWM to +/-10v signals - but what is the 7i37 used for? Why would I need it?

Ah ok, so in my simple setup of only driving 3 servos, I won't need it. But if I start using GPIO that needs higher current/voltages, I will. Makes sense.

We tested one of the cards, and long story short, we're going to go ahead and replace the original drives with Mesa 7i29s. We just don't know enough about the very old original drives to feel comfortable with them, and Baldor is unable to produce documentation that far back. That's good news for Peter anyway!

Anyway, now that we're proceeding, we're at another crossroads. We basically have two configuration options:

Option 1

http://yeup9g.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pXzW417MAZZ6vj9tTOb86B4lVutFmNYJvD9iGKsOgGxpTlbQoauXvo67bfdpaq6egH7kk_cBMTKYsRkLnXJwL8lDTZs_DKG--/option1.png?psid=1

Advantages
- power and logic are physically separated
- use original driver mounting locations near power supply
Disadvantages
- long data cable length (6-8 feet)

Option 2

http://yeup9g.bay.livefilestore.com/y1p0XM8zq1Fx5g19LS_gMhXcODjkswdZuo9m1YlVJR7rDXJy7e11vKFYRI9fKjbpAkpkVineWp-KLxbJud1Yde4iiz0-TMB_SSH/option2.png?psid=1

Advantages
- very short data cable length
Disadvantages
- power and logic no longer separated
- +100VDC PWM cables run near encoder cables


Anyone have any thoughts as to which is the better way to go?