Which THC card for powermax 45

Looking for information so I can order needed parts for plasma build. Have powermax45 unit.
computer is a 6 core amd with 4 gig ram. Its running debian now and was used fine with linux cnc with my router table which I sold.
Ive never set up plasma before and do not know a thing about it. I have a added on 25pin card that ran fine with router table.
I have a g540 controller with 4 270ozin motors.
The hypertherm powermax 45 has a machine torch and hand torch. Going to use the machine torch. The torch has a 20 or so foot cable.
I just do not know much about it. Its about 5 years old and Ive only used it a few times.
I need to know what additional to linux cnc software I will need and what hardware parts are needed for plasma cutting like thc and other cards.

You can start right now, you have everything that you need already, so build it, test it and then buy a THC controller. That way you would have a much better understanding of what you need in a THC, depending on what you will use the machine for.
Regards,
Tom

I did not see a section on this forum for plasma. Is it under a different directory?

Might want to look here...
gnipsel.com/shop/plasma/plasma.xhtml

We use a Mesa THC...
store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...oduct&product_id=128
www.mesanet.com/pdf/analog/thcadman.pdf
linuxcnc.org/docs/html/man/man9/thc.9.html
forum.linuxcnc.org/forum/54-user-exchang...cts-in-north-america

Rick G

Thanks for replies, I read through the links, my confusion is which THCAD I need for my powermax 45. In the description of the 2 THCAD cards one is for high frequency (hf) start and the other is used for touch start type torches. Ive went to other links looking for Hyper-therm and only the more expensive Hyper-therms have hf start and it says that types such as my 45 use blowback system for starting the torch. Please correct me if I am wrong.
As plasma is new to me for the most part. Im still lost as to which THCAD I need. 10v or 300v.

I believe the Powermax 45 has a CPC connector with pins for start, arc o.k. and torch voltage from an internal voltage divider 1:50.
If you are using this connection the arc voltage output is in the 0 - 10 volt range.
If however you want to connect to the raw arc voltage it is in the 0 - 300 voltage range.

Rick G

With these settings your saying you can use either one of the THCAD boards for height control?

The big question is where will you get the voltage signal from.
If you take the voltage at the CPC connector and it has gone through an internal voltage divider you would use the 10 volt THCAD card.
If you take the raw voltage you can use the 300 volt THCAD card as it has it's own voltage divider.

Rick G

I will have to get the powermax book out. Im lost here. Will get back sometime in the future. Thanks

Can someone tell me what the 5i25 and 7i77 cards are used for?