4g board advise needed

[paul60]

i own a prt 96 i want to upgrade by using a 4g board. have anyone had problems using the standard
control box and just adding the 4g board.
i am thinking of the power supply in the standard box.
if it is adequate for the job?
thanks paul

[tmerrill]

Paul,

I went through the same decision making process a few months ago. Here are some of the responses I got and especially read the link that Rick included in his post:

http://www.talkshopbot.com/forum/messages/28/41087.html?1240051052

I finally decided to purchase the entire control box from ShopBot and I'm glad I did. My PRT was over 6 years old and the new controller is built better and with better components than the original. Another reason I decided to purchase the entire unit was for ShopBot support. Should I have an issue, I can call them and assume they are familiar with all the components inside the box. Compare this with a 3rd party purchase of a brand X power supply. I did receive a few emails suggesting it wasn't the best decision to put a new control board inside a case surrounded by 6-7 year old components and this made sense. Neither did it make sense adjusting the voltage on a power supply that old.

After receiving the complete control box, installation was very easy and quick. I did inspect the internals very carefully and found a few loose screws, most likely from shipping. Verified all was OK, unplugged the connections from the old box, reconnected in the new box, loaded the software and I was cutting again.

So my recommendation would be to purchase the entire control box.

Tim

[ron brown]

I agree with Tim .... and I hate to agree with anything!

Ron

[ken_rychlik]

I put a 4G board in mine and adjusted the voltage up a tad. No problems.

Kenneth

[coolhammerman]

I upgraded just the 4G standard kit plus 1 additional module. I have 2 Y drive motors. Very simple installation. I adjusted the voltage - easy as pie - haven't had a single problem. I did adjust the Unit Value as instructed. It was right on first time measured over 72 inches.

Erik Francy bought this machine new and I got it from him. Erik ordered it with 5 motors, upgraded the X, Y & Z cars to the Alpha circa 2004 so it was very rigid when I got it. With the 4G upgrade, It is extremely accurate now.

Certainly no where near as fast as an Alpha, my jogging and usual cutting speeds doubled. The resulting accuracy and smoothness are very impressive.

I've gone the whole spectrum from 4x8 cabinet stuff to pen blank turning inlays with .049 cutter diameter; all with outsanding success thanks to the 4G upgrade and Erik's improvements.

In fact, given how I use my Bot, I would be hard pressed to move up to an Alpha and be able to justify the additional expense. I'm glad I upgraded to the 4G as soon as I did.

Ronco

[paul60]

thanks for all the information found it all very helpfull to making my decision .
thanks paul