MKS Quattro

Every fusor and fusion system seems to need a vacuum. This area is for detailed discussion of vacuum systems, materials, gauging, etc. related to fusor or fusion research.
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Bob Reite
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Bob Reite »

From the photo, it looks like the board will slide out AWAY from the camera if you loosen the screws holding the front panel to the aluminum extrusion. The front panel and the boards will come out as one unit, but that should give you access to one side of each board.
The more reactive the materials, the more spectacular the failures.
The testing isn't over until the prototype is destroyed.
Bruce Meagher
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Bruce Meagher »

Roberto,

Some things you might double check before completely disassembling... Verify you didn’t mix up the +/- signals. Check your RS485 adaptor is setup as 8 data bits, no parity, and one stop bit (in half duplex mode bridge T+ to R+ and T- to R-). Check all 6 different baud rates (9600 is the default). Sending @254;FF should return @253NAK160;FF. You must send a valid command to get a response, and address 254 is the universal address all devices respond to. Also, since it’s a half duplex link the response will be on the same lines immediately after the query. Check the length on an oscilloscope to verify it’s just the query being transmitted (and not the query and the response). Sending @255;FF will not produce a response from the device as a comparison.

Bruce
Roberto Ferrari
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Roberto Ferrari »

Hi Bob, thanks!
I imagined that also but was willing to check with experienced people.

Hi Bruce
We checked all your suggestions to no avail.
By the way, your query is shorter that the one stated at the MKS manual: @254AD?;FF
Bruce Meagher
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Bruce Meagher »

I believe @254;FF is the shortest string you can send and still get a response from the device (explained near the end of the manual on debugging the comm link)
Roberto Ferrari
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Roberto Ferrari »

Bruce
You are right.
This weekend I will try it.
Thanks!
Roberto Ferrari
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Re: MKS Quattro

Post by Roberto Ferrari »

Bob and Bruce,

Finally there was no need to disasembly the Quattro.
It is working well now.

Testing communications at several baud rates, we got response at 19200 bauds and now we have full control of it.

Before taking control at 19200 bauds there was no answer to the short query.

Next step is to link it to LabView.
Thanks!

Roberto
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