Another TTL Module Question

[MarcusJ]

Hi Folks,

I just bought a 5W module with an outboard controller (see attached) to upgrade my cutter.  It needs a 5v TTL signal in. 
I've been away from my laser setup for awhile, and seem to have forgotten almost everything I learned about configuring the hardware, so I'm back at the bottom of the learning curve again.  I have a Mana 5.2 board, running a 3-axis setup with a 2.5W non-TTL module.  The laser is currently connected to the motor output, and PWM seems to be working to control the intensity.

I've been reading through the threads here, and I think I have a handle on what I need to do, but before going ahead and letting the magic smoke out, I thought I'd check and get some confirmation.

So as I understand it from reading the thread here, I'm going to:
i) power the laser with an independent power supply into the 12v in on the board.
ii) connect the Analog - input to the Servo ground on the Mana
iii) connect the Analog + to the Servo PWM on the Mana.
iv) set the selector on the board to TTL.
v) cross fingers and hope!

Sound about right? TIA for your advice!

[Zax]

I think your description is correct, but attached may help.

Obviously your laser module has separate power and TTL inputs but the concept is the same, power it direct from a 12VDC supply and connect the Mana - (GND) and S (TTL) to the TTL input and you'll probably need the common ground connection although not always.

[ggallant571]

I have a couple diode lasers with the two 2-pin headers. Made a cable that mates with the 3-pin header on the controller and at separates into the two 2-pin connectors at the laser end. Soldered the GNDs together near the laser end. On one module the internal GNDs are connected, on the other isolated. Cable works with both.

A 5W diode module requires more current than a 2.5W. Make sure your power supply is sufficient.

[MarcusJ]

Thanks for the confirmation!
Just to be clear (I'm a belt-and-braces kinda guy), since my board is a little different from the one Zax posted, I'm going to be using the GND and PWM pins from the Servo port (circled), correct?

[Zax]

Well technically the orange connector (laser) and the GND/PWM pins but they are the same so if you prefer the servo connector then yes.

[MarcusJ]

OK, thanks.  I was looking at the pin voltage, and wasn't sure what the PWM voltage would be on the laser socket. The laser's currently running off the "other" port.  Do I have to do anything to re-map it, or are they all firing the same signal? I'm using BCL (sorry Zax!).

[Zax]

The PWM signal (on both connectors) is a TTL output from the Nano D11 pin.

I will defer to Ralph on BCL settings as I've never used it.