new HS-1 - EP button

[samcrow]

Recently received my unit. I have some questions and problems:
The big red EP switch does not function correctly. When depressed it does take power from the machine but the button does not stay detented as it should until clockwise rotated. Sometimes it must be depressed several times for power to stay off. Even then the LED may come back on later by itself. I believe the switch is defective or installed wrong. I have used Emergency Power Off buttons for years and by their nature they must be reliable.

I wonder about the ratings on the switch also. Since it switches the hot side coming in it will be switching 120 Vac with 5 A for the router, 5 A for the vacuum, plus the circuitry and steppers. Usually these type switches activate a contactor instead of directly switching the main power.

[romaxxcnc]

Hi Sam,

The Estop may be defective. It would be the first one. Let me know if it continues that and I'll send one out.

The panel main fuse is 10 amps. Not all electric devices, motors etc. draw max amps all the time. The front console receptacles are for tools used with the machine. Like the Ryobi draws 4 amps MAX under load. Yes, piloting an ice cube relay or contactors is a common Estop configuration on industrial controls. Thats has pros and cons. The pros it's cheaper to mount a switch remotely as much smaller wires can be ran to just activate the coil. The downside is, as with ice cube relays under load, the points can weld themselves together and not break. Thats why we opted to just break the supply through the Estop. There is another alternative with the Romaxx. Bypass the Estop and go directly to the fuse and then to Relay 4 on the interface. Then there is an EPO port on the board where the Estop can be connected and it can be operated in that manner. I may try that on the next machine and see how that works.

Thanks, Ron

[samcrow]

Does the HS-1 have limit switches on each axis?