OK, I've built all my boards. I tested the stepper motor driver boards individually using one Arduino and the test setup found in the assembly instructions for the stepper motor boards -- all three operated correctly. Next I wired everything together as in the dual Arduino instructions. I connected my laptop to the Arduino boards individually over USB to program their respective firmwares -- this went OK (ie no errors reported). I have performed the serial echo check on the PowerComm board and get echo. I confirmed that the Tx/Rx ring is wired correctly despite the mis-print on the PowerComm PCBoard (I watched the status lights while sending text from the laptop to confirm which was which). Next I ran the RepRap host software and configured it for the correct com port (COM10). I assume that the next step (if I just want to see something move) is to click on Tools->Stepper Exerciser. When I do this the Java app freezes. The DOS window in the background repeats the message: "Receive error, re-sending: Timeout receiving byte" over and over. Note: I don't see any activity lights on the Arduino (other than PWR). I was not satisfied that my homebrew solder header pin strip was seating right on the second Arduino so I bypassed that by closing the token ring so that it just runs from the PowerComm board to the 3-axis Arduino and back. I repeat the test and this time I see activity on the Tx and Rx LEDs on the PowerComm board and the test light (labeled L) on the Arduino, but no motor activity and no Rx/Tx activity on the Arduino. This seems to confirm my suspicions about the connector on Arduino #2 being loose -- I'll fix this at another time. Can anyone help me with where to go from here? The pattern of LED activity in this last test makes me think that a test was running and that perhaps I mis-wired the stepper motor controller boards to the Arduino, but the error message I'm seeing in the DOS window would seem to suggest a more fundamental communication problem between the PC and the the PowerComm/Arduino. Perhaps I have two (or more) problems. Where would I start troubleshooting? Thanks for any help you can give me!! -darren https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9964#msg-9964 Mon, 12 Oct 2026 15:18:01 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9997#msg-9997 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9997#msg-9997
2. yeah, until its working properly i'd prefer not to confuse people. the easiest way to get up and running is with the single-arduino firmware. its pretty much rock solid at this point and works very well with the host software.

the gcode is experimental, but also has great potential. play with that if you feel adventurous.]]> ZachHoeken Controllers Fri, 29 Feb 2008 13:18:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9987#msg-9987 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9987#msg-9987
1. Do you suggest controlling the machine with USB directly connected to the Arduino or still go through the Comms board?

2. I notice that the wiki firmware instructions changed with the 1.2 release and now only talk about the pcode firmware. For getting started, should I load the single-arduino firmware or the pcode firmware (and host)?

Thanks!

-darren]]> Anonymous User Controllers Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:25:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9979#msg-9979 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9979#msg-9979
thankfully, you can run everything off a single arduino. infact, i would strongly suggest you do that. you'll have to rewire, but it will be faster and better.]]> ZachHoeken Controllers Thu, 28 Feb 2008 12:51:26 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9965#msg-9965 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9965#msg-9965
-darren]]> Anonymous User Controllers Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:52:23 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9964#msg-9964 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?13,9964,9964#msg-9964
Next I wired everything together as in the dual Arduino instructions. I connected my laptop to the Arduino boards individually over USB to program their respective firmwares -- this went OK (ie no errors reported).

I have performed the serial echo check on the PowerComm board and get echo. I confirmed that the Tx/Rx ring is wired correctly despite the mis-print on the PowerComm PCBoard (I watched the status lights while sending text from the laptop to confirm which was which).

Next I ran the RepRap host software and configured it for the correct com port (COM10). I assume that the next step (if I just want to see something move) is to click on Tools->Stepper Exerciser. When I do this the Java app freezes. The DOS window in the background repeats the message:

"Receive error, re-sending: Timeout receiving byte"

over and over. Note: I don't see any activity lights on the Arduino (other than PWR).

I was not satisfied that my homebrew solder header pin strip was seating right on the second Arduino so I bypassed that by closing the token ring so that it just runs from the PowerComm board to the 3-axis Arduino and back. I repeat the test and this time I see activity on the Tx and Rx LEDs on the PowerComm board and the test light (labeled L) on the Arduino, but no motor activity and no Rx/Tx activity on the Arduino. This seems to confirm my suspicions about the connector on Arduino #2 being loose -- I'll fix this at another time.

Can anyone help me with where to go from here? The pattern of LED activity in this last test makes me think that a test was running and that perhaps I mis-wired the stepper motor controller boards to the Arduino, but the error message I'm seeing in the DOS window would seem to suggest a more fundamental communication problem between the PC and the the PowerComm/Arduino. Perhaps I have two (or more) problems.

Where would I start troubleshooting?

Thanks for any help you can give me!!

-darren]]> Anonymous User Controllers Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:36:03 -0500