Mega V Z limit switch cable: Too short?

[billiam]

I'm putting together my 35" Mega V right now, and it seems like the wires running to the Z-limit switch are not really long enough. After running through the X and Y cable chain, the connector barely exits the end of the Y chain, even when pulled taut through both chains.



Per the assembly video, the z switch cable is the one on it's own, where the X and Y limit switches share a connector.



Is there something I'm missing?

[btreichel]

I lengthened several of mine when i re-lugged then with insulated connectors. Makes like easier, and the connection more robust.

[jv]

Agreed with btreichel. I soldered my connectors; but, I would use heat shrink on the connectors if I did it over again

[billiam]

Thanks folks, I extended mine. Seems like an oversight :/

[Derek the Admin]

How long are your wires? We get some feedback on this, but I think some of you are putting the box in different positions.

Furthermore, it seems some one on social media had convinced people of the wrong configuration. Not that it applies in every case, but we keep seeing people plug one of the connectors from the X and Y switch combo into the Z and report that it isn't long enough. The Z switch is by itself and the X and Y are a combo.

[chadb]

I already put mine in the tracks, but using the two wire connector from the z-switch following the motor cables ended up with the airplane connector just clearing the end of the plastic side track. I ended up pulling the switch wires out halfway along the track for an early exit to the control box. The longer wires on the xy switches ended only about an inch further so they got an early exit as well.

[billiam]

I think some of you are putting the box in different positions.

My box is on the left side rear (if facing the front of the machine).

The Z switch is by itself and the X and Y are a combo.

Yup, as in mine.

Both my (solo) Z switch cable and the X switch cable barely exited the left rear of the cable track (where the Z switch runs through both the X and Y track, and the X runs through the Y only).

[dmonson]

Same problem here with the short wires. I figured they were the wiring kit for the 19" machine. No big deal to extend them.

[timspec]

same here - did the same thing as Chadb and exited mid track. with some careful routing of the wires, I was able to just get it to the box, which i mounted on a shelf under the front left of the machine so I can easily access the kill switch. Ideally they should have been made an extra few feet longer so they could have exited the end of the track at the back and still be routed to the front left of the machine. And more robust connectors would be nice too.

[martin]

Yep, mine is pretty darn short also (at least, for a 35x35) -- the Z homing cable just barely makes it to the end of the Y track (and that only if I'm pretty rigorous about routing it and removing all the slack I can find).

I also kinda wondered if maybe it was sized for the 19inch model. My soldering ability is nonexistent, so I'm gonna mount the box in a weird mid-machine location and do the early exit.

[brianrussell]

Does anyone know the gauge of wire used for motors and the gauge for limit switches? I'm placing an order to pick up some items and I can throw in some wire, heat shrink, and splices if I know the gauge.

Edit:
as soon as I posted this, I went over to the General form and found this post than answers for the motors:
millrightcnc.proboards.com/thread/2800/servo-wire-gauge

[martin]

I lack the ability (and interest, tbh) to accurately measure the individual strands to do the true calculation, but I measured the outside diameters at 1.3mm so I've ordered wires and connectors based on the idea that the homing wires are around 20-26 gauge.

[btreichel]

Apr 6, 2020 17:22:31 GMT martin said:

I lack the ability (and interest, tbh) to accurately measure the individual strands to do the true calculation, but I measured the outside diameters at 1.3mm so I've ordered wires and connectors based on the idea that the homing wires are around 20-26 gauge.

Yes, 20 to 26 gauge, 'red' terminal connectors.