mendel commisioning - need help Hi, I have just finished building and wiring my first mendel i2. I moved on to commissioning but encountered multiple problems. keep in mind I am a complete noob. First of all I upload sprinter and connected my printer to my mac using pronterface. The printer connects fine. when I try to move the motors they each move one step at a time no matter if I press 1,10, or 100. None of the motors move in a negative direction either ( endstops?). the bed and extruder heat but the extruder motor and the z motors wont move in either direction. all motors make are a buzzing or humming sound when activated and they seem to work fine until mounted to the printer. I have tweeked my pots so all the drivers read .7v and im pretty sure that the pots are not the problem. When I press the home button the motors still only move one "step" except for one time when the y axis actually returned to the endstop. note that the frame measurements are slightly off because the printed parts got stuck but I made sure the rods are all parallel. also my extruder motor on the wade is interferring with my "X" belt is this normal? could any of this have to do with my steps per unit? or maybe something else in the firmware.(I have done my research on firmware but still do not fully understand how to configure it) and finally, would switching to marlin do any good? Thanks, Ryan Miller www.basicblacklabel.com https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315160#msg-315160 Tue, 19 May 2026 14:47:30 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320999#msg-320999 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320999#msg-320999
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Basicblacklabel.com
i tryed switching the wires out for 3 instead of two, it didnt work but the LED still lit. I only have two uncut 3 wire cables left so i attached them to the x and y endstops and tryed to test them, would not connecting the z endstop effect the result. and if I have a 4 wire extension would cutting one wire from that be the same as a 3 wire?

If you are wired to three of the four endstop pins and not connected to either the 1st or 4th pin, it still will not work. The middle two pins on the endstop are ground, and only one of them needs to be connected. The 1st and 4th pins are for 5V and Signal, and both of these (and ground) need to be connected to RAMPS for the endstops to work. See the third image here for the pin labels: [www.thingiverse.com]]]> NewPerfection General Mendel Topics Thu, 06 Mar 2014 21:37:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320992#msg-320992 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320992#msg-320992
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Basicblacklabel.com
I was able to get all endstops to know when they where being depressed but all of them were saying the opposite of what they were so I inverted endstops in sprinter firmware and they register what they should now. however my motors are not moving in a negative direction now. this seems to be an endless cycle of problems.

I assume you still have them inverted in config.h like this? >>>>
const bool X_ENDSTOP_INVERT = true;
const bool Y_ENDSTOP_INVERT = true;
const bool Z_ENDSTOP_INVERT = true;

If so,,do the following...

Remove the X,Y and Z connectors from the Ramps board.
Put the X and Y axes in the middle of their travel.
Send a command to move the X axis by, say, +10mm and then -10mm. Does it work ok?
Do the same for the Y axis. Does it work?
Finally command the Z axis to lift 10mm then drop 10mm. Does that work also?]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Thu, 06 Mar 2014 21:18:15 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320762#msg-320762 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320762#msg-320762
m119 has changed to
>>>m119
SENDING:M119
x_min:L y_min:L z_min:L
>>>m119
SENDING:M119
x_min:L y_min:L z_min:L]]> Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Thu, 06 Mar 2014 12:35:20 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320447#msg-320447 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320447#msg-320447
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Basicblacklabel.com
I used [www.mendelcraft.com] to install my endstops. It says to use a 3 wire cable and cut one wire. My LED does light up when depressed but m119 reports no change.
The mechanical endstop boards require 3 wires to be connected. 1 for signal, 1 each for + and - for power. My guess is that you have + and - connected, which is why the LED on the board works, but do not have the signal wire connected.

That guide you linked to is assuming that you are using bare switches for your endstops, which do only require two wires.]]> NewPerfection General Mendel Topics Wed, 05 Mar 2014 22:23:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320366#msg-320366 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,320366#msg-320366 www.mendelcraft.com] to install my endstops. It says to use a 3 wire cable and cut one wire. My LED does light up when depressed but m119 reports no change.
SENDING:M119
x_min:H y_min:L z_min:L
>>>m119
SENDING:M119
x_min:H y_min:L z_min:L]]> Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Wed, 05 Mar 2014 17:42:01 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319928#msg-319928 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319928#msg-319928 Also, if you face the front of the printer (Y motor nearest to you), where are the endstops located?
Where did you buy the kit?]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Wed, 05 Mar 2014 01:39:10 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319315#msg-319315 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319315#msg-319315 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:52:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319314#msg-319314 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319314#msg-319314 waitaki General Mendel Topics Mon, 03 Mar 2014 18:52:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319197#msg-319197 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,319197#msg-319197 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Mon, 03 Mar 2014 15:33:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318625#msg-318625 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318625#msg-318625 www.amazon.com]]]> AbuMaia General Mendel Topics Sun, 02 Mar 2014 13:48:30 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318303#msg-318303 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318303#msg-318303 waitaki General Mendel Topics Sat, 01 Mar 2014 23:57:37 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318093#msg-318093 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,318093#msg-318093 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Sat, 01 Mar 2014 12:33:21 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317846#msg-317846 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317846#msg-317846 no microstepping!]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Sat, 01 Mar 2014 00:06:35 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317683#msg-317683 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317683#msg-317683 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:45:28 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317665#msg-317665 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317665#msg-317665
I first sent m119 as a baseline and then I press the z endstops in. here is the result.

SENDING:M119
x_min:H y_min:L z_min:H
>>>m119
SENDING:M119
x_min:H y_min:L z_min:L

it seems like this is backwards since it originally started at home and when depressed showed "L"]]> Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Fri, 28 Feb 2014 14:05:44 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317192#msg-317192 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317192#msg-317192
If you depress and hold the Z microswitch, what reading do you get with M119?]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:51:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317175#msg-317175 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,317175#msg-317175 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Thu, 27 Feb 2014 17:30:31 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316756#msg-316756 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316756#msg-316756

ALSO, in your config.h file...

// Inverting axis direction
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------
const bool INVERT_X_DIR = false;
const bool INVERT_Y_DIR = false;
const bool INVERT_Z_DIR = true; >>>Why is this set to "True"?
const bool INVERT_E_DIR = false;

//Max Length for Prusa Mendel, check the ways of your axis and set this Values
//-----------------------------------------------------------------------
const int X_MAX_LENGTH = 243;>>>>For a Prusa2 I would expect this to be nearer 200
const int Y_MAX_LENGTH = 133; >>>> this nearer to 100
const int Z_MAX_LENGTH = 200;

const int NUM_AXIS = 4; // The axis order in all axis related arrays is X, Y, Z, E
#define _MAX_FEEDRATE {400, 400, 2, 45} // (mm/sec)
#define _HOMING_FEEDRATE {1500,1500,120} // (mm/min) !! >>>try 500 for this
#define _AXIS_RELATIVE_MODES {false, false, false, false}]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Thu, 27 Feb 2014 04:34:19 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316601#msg-316601 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316601#msg-316601 SENDING:M119
x_min:H y_min:H z_min:H

my z motors are also still not working, i have the max feedrate for Z set to 1 mm/sec and the pots are set to .7v the motors make noise and vibrate but nothing moves. I have tryed multiple different steps per units.]]> Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Wed, 26 Feb 2014 17:02:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316241#msg-316241 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316241#msg-316241 waitaki General Mendel Topics Wed, 26 Feb 2014 01:17:16 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316233#msg-316233 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316233#msg-316233 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Wed, 26 Feb 2014 00:11:31 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316217#msg-316217 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316217#msg-316217 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Tue, 25 Feb 2014 22:21:12 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316203#msg-316203 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,316203#msg-316203 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Tue, 25 Feb 2014 21:02:46 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315959#msg-315959 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315959#msg-315959 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:33:27 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315940#msg-315940 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315940#msg-315940 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Tue, 25 Feb 2014 11:58:25 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315706#msg-315706 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315706#msg-315706
Quote
Basicblacklabel.com
here is my sprinter arduino sketch

We need config.h

Also, if the Y motor is at the front of the machine as is suggested in the photo (which is normal), then your X end stop should be on the left side and your Y endstop should be at the back on the left side.
I am puzzled by your power connections - you seem to only have the 11A power input for the bed connected. Without power to the 5A socket the hotend can't work. Both connectors should have 12v supplied.
I could be wrong, but your (2 wire?) endstop connectors look to plugged into the wrong ports - they should be in S and -.
Have you checked under the pololu chips for the jumpers?]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Tue, 25 Feb 2014 02:07:04 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315679#msg-315679 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315679#msg-315679
Quote
Basicblacklabel.com
notice the bed isnt centered in the frame. is this a problem?


No. It doesn't need to be centered on the frame. It needs to be centered under the extruder. So that when the X-Carriage is zeroed, you are on the edge of the board (or the white lined square on the border) and when you move the carriage 200mm it's on the other side.]]> KingRahl General Mendel Topics Mon, 24 Feb 2014 23:49:08 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315628#msg-315628 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315628#msg-315628 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Mon, 24 Feb 2014 20:20:54 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315625#msg-315625 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315625#msg-315625 Basicblacklabel.com General Mendel Topics Mon, 24 Feb 2014 20:07:51 -0500 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315189#msg-315189 Re: mendel commisioning - need help https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?151,315160,315189#msg-315189 not use Sprinter. Upload the config file so we can take a look.
Are you using Ramps? If so, have you installed all the jumpers under the Pololu chips?
Have you calculated your X,Y and Z steps? ( [reprap.org] )

note that the frame measurements are slightly off because the printed parts got stuck but I made sure the rods are all parallel What is this? Did you mean to upload a pic?

Regarding the X belt rubbing on the extruder motor...yes, it happens but it can be relieved by putting a twist in the belt which has the added advantage of running the flat side of the belt over the X end idler bearing.

The X end stop is usually at the left side.
The Y end stop is usually at the back on the left.]]> waitaki General Mendel Topics Mon, 24 Feb 2014 02:38:26 -0500