AC Adaptor Sparking (Board side)

[Zadvark (George Carlen)]

Machine: Garden variety K40

Board: old = M2Nano, New = C3D Laserboard (G code)

Firmware: As configured from C3D

Problem/ Question: My issue is almost identical to Is my C3D LaserBoard a DOA? but everything functions normally.

If I plug in a energized PSU as supplied with the Laserboard there is a quick shower of sparks but unlike the reference post, the machine is functioning properly. I have not read any voltages but the lights are behaving as expected and the machine is running well.

From the “if it ain’t broke’ don’t fix it department”, should I be concerned? I typically leave the C3D board plugged in at the board and just energize the PSU at the AC plug.

Thanks to all in advance.

[sportklotz33 (Klaus Zimmermann)]

I think I know your point, but let me explain my experience:

I have another post here, where I couldn’t get my Motors / Drivers up and running and after plugging in the C3D PSU into the LaserBoard about 15.000 times I “did something different”.

I connected my C3D PSU and another external 24V PSU into a power strip with a dedicated switch. That I don’t have to unplug the C3D PSU and the 24V PSU I just left everything in the power strip and turned the power off via the power switch in the power strip (sorry for that weird sentence, but I not a native speaker).
After turning the power switch back on, the C3D LaserBoard turned also on, but I had no control over it. All the LEDs were “fine”, but the GLCD I have didn’t work properly and so I could not jog around with my motors. I thought I ruined the board, because this never happened before.

So I unplugged everything and when I connected the C3D PSU “manually” to the LaserBoard everything was fine.

I don’t know if this is gonna help you, but I just wanted to share my experience on that.

[Cohesion3D]

Some sparks just when plugging in an already energized power brick to the DC Jack on the LaserBoard is a known behavior. There is a surge of current required when the board first comes on as the capacitors charge, etc.

I typically leave the board DC connector plugged in and unplug the power brick cable from the wall outlet if I need to turn the board off after a work session, and plug in the AC cable last when turning the board back on.

[Zadvark (George Carlen)]

Thank you. As this is a known behavior I will follow your recommendation to leave the AC adapter engaged to the board.

Side note… I’m going to guess your answer but can I simply supply 24V to the auxiliary connectors from a 10A PSU to obtain what is required for the LaserBoard to run?

[Cohesion3D]

We strongly recommend that you use the included power brick to power the LaserBoard. If you ever mention communications issues the first thing I will tell you to do is to plug the LaserBoard’s power brick into its own electrical outlet.