Setup / power / Temp issues

Hello all, sorry for the long post, just trying to get all the info out there...
I'm stumped and in need of some assistance please!

I purchased a reprapdiscount Ramps 1.4 ULTIMATE KIT back in July, and just now getting things wired up.
I also have the LCD kit from reprapdisount as well. I hope the board isn't duff, cuz I'm past any exchange time!!

I have flashed with ErikZalm-Marlin_RC3 firmware, and have updated to have the LCD working.
(These are the ONLY changes I have made to the firmware) all other setting are stock.

When I plug it in though the USB port, the ramps powers up, and seems to work properly...
When I plug it in the mains 12v power supply, it will not boot up, and just blinks rapidly at me...

If I plug it in with the USB, then mains, it stays powered on, and I can connect with host software,
and get the steppers to move. but it doesn't take long for the steper drivers overheat... (100c)

I set the drivers when plugged in with USB to 0.4 volts... as soon as I plug in mains 12v,
The steppers drop to 0.35v... dunno why, also the LCD screen dims as well... ?
The drivers nearly hit 100c before I unplugged everything.
At idle, the motors are not moving, but I can hear pulsing from them...? no hum.

In the first video, I plug in the ramps with USB and connect... the second video I plug
in with the mains 12v only... it wont boot up, and just blinks at me!
(12v mains is adjustable and set to 12v)

I think its a voltage issue, but I'm not sure how to troubleshoot this one...

Plugged in USB only
Plugged in mains 12v only

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Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

A little more playing...

When I use the LCD controller to move the steppers, the steppers will
rotate almost 10 times more in one direction then the other...

Through pronterface, the X axis rotates the same distance, in both dirrections, smoothly.
the Y and Z axis will 'pulse' during the movements... same distance in either dirrection.

uhg

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

uhm... No ideas huh?

the steppers do move both directions, but would that count out a wiring issue?
Usually, its when they only move one way that its a wiring issue?
The pulsing during rotation is what I'm not understanding... does it on two out of three axis.

I would think that it would be a firmware issue that the steppers rotate different speeds in opposite directions?

I still haven't let any smoke out yet... so I'm still good!

When I get a little more time, I'll strip it down and do a good visual inspection of the components and soldering...

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Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hello Mogal

I have nearly the same issue with the board from the same seller. Same config than you, just
Marlin firmware and repetier host.
Those blinking issue was solved with desoldering the D1 diode, and only powering 5V via USB.
Both USB and 12V with diode D1, and I got those blinking, and or dark display.
But I have another strange problem with the motors. Mine have power on standby, but as soon as
there´s a order to turn the motors they loose power until stop-order.
Really strange. I wrote the seller, but no answer until now.
I absolutely agree with you that this might be a voltage issue. But I´m not that good in electronic to
solve that myself.

Hope we can find a solution here

Best regards Chris

Sorry to hear you have simular issues, but glad I'm not alone!!


kuebelkiller Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hello Mogal
>
> I have nearly the same issue with the board from
> the same seller. Same config than you, just
> Marlin firmware and repetier host.


I am using marlin, and I do have repetier host as well, but same results no matter what host i use.
[github.com] <-- This version, but I may try again, as there has been a few updates since I flashed mine.


> Those blinking issue was solved with desoldering
> the D1 diode, and only powering 5V via USB.
> Both USB and 12V with diode D1, and I got those
> blinking, and or dark display.


I would like to leave D1 installed, as eventually, I would like a stand alone printer...
But mayby I'll pull it for testing? Should there be enough power in the USB to power
the stepper motors? Mine wont turn without 12v plugged in?


> But I have another strange problem with the
> motors. Mine have power on standby, but as soon
> as
> there´s a order to turn the motors they loose
> power until stop-order.


Maybe double check your leads? You can do an ohm test on them, to verify...
If the motors wont turn, or turn in one dirrection only, its usually a wiring issue.
Check further here --> [reprap.org]

Are your drivers over heating? Mine are, they've hit 100c before I pulled the plug!
I got the new QU-BD motors. [store.qu-bd.com]
I'll also add that I have the drivers set up to 1/16 stepping(default)


> I wrote the seller, but no answer until now.


I haven't emailed him... its been 6 months since purchase, but just getting around
to wiring things up now... sigh....


> I absolutely agree with you that this might be a
> voltage issue. But I´m not that good in
> electronic to solve that myself.


I know enough to be dangerous... lol... but yea, not a strong attribute!
Whats bugging me, is that when I plug in the mains 12v, the 5v seems to drop...
My steppers wont move with just USB power.


> Hope we can find a solution here
>
> Best regards Chris


I'll take another vid to show how the motors pause as they turn...

Good luck!
We'll get this working!!

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2012 11:53AM by Mogal.

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Okay, here is a small video of whats happening...

Issues I'm having:
- voltage drop when the 12v is plugged in
- odd hum from steppers, moreso then I think is normal
- pulsing as the steppers move(on 2 of 3 axis)
- high temps in a very short period of time... ie: 2mins

Pulsing motors

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hello

> I would like to leave D1 installed, as eventually,
> I would like a stand alone printer...
> But mayby I'll pull it for testing? Should there
> be enough power in the USB to power
> the stepper motors? Mine wont turn without 12v
> plugged in?

You can leave the Board without D1 installed. Just take the 5V from an ATX
power supply and connect them to the USB. Then you have a standalone
printer. Then connect the 12V as usual and everything might work.
The steppers need the 12V to function.


> Maybe double check your leads? You can do an ohm
> test on them, to verify...
> If the motors wont turn, or turn in one dirrection
> only, its usually a wiring issue.
> Check further here -->
> [reprap.org]

The motors function. There isn´t any malfunction in the wires. I already
doublechecked that. It´s "simply" the problem that the power (the voltage)
of the steppers drop to zero, when the order to move comes.


> Are your drivers over heating? Mine are, they've
> hit 100c before I pulled the plug!
> I got the new QU-BD motors.
> [store.qu-bd.com]
> I'll also add that I have the drivers set up to
> 1/16 stepping(default)

My drivers don´t oberheat. I rated them to ca 0,4V between the
potentiometer and gnd. That´s surely enough to drive them, and
they don´t get more temperature than approx 45°C.


> I haven't emailed him... its been 6 months since
> purchase, but just getting around
> to wiring things up now... sigh....


> I know enough to be dangerous... lol... but yea,
> not a strong attribute!
> Whats bugging me, is that when I plug in the mains
> 12v, the 5v seems to drop...
> My steppers wont move with just USB power.

They cannot move without 12V, the pololus only get 5V
for calculation of the frequency.


> Good luck!
> We'll get this working!!

We´ll make. For sure.

Best regards

Chris

YEAY!! I got a little further!!

I adjusted the pots from the recommended 0.4 volts down to 0.3
again, thats when powered through USB only, as soon as I plug in 12v,
the voltage drops to 0.27v

I don't understand the voltage drop when plugging in the 12v PSU?

ALL axis now turn without pulsing!! equilly in both dirrections!
The noise is less, and the temps, although still high(imo) seem to be staying under the 80c mark.
(will be doing more safety tests on this one!!)

It still wont power up through 12v only

now that things operate at a more stable temp, I can leave it plugged in,
and conduct longer tests....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2012 01:50PM by Mogal.

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hello

Very nice

The voltage drops due to a broken Diode D1. At leats you should
change it for a new one. Although that doesn´t change anything for me.

Chris

K, I'll look into a new diode...(THANKS!)

sometimes a checklist can help:
- motor wire continuity is correct
- motor pin-outs correct in firmware
- motor leads correct(ohm test)
- wire/leads/board plug orientated correctly
- consider putting D1 back on the board
- adjusting pot voltage (maybe you need more V?)
- all motors loose voltage when move ordered?
- all the pins from between boards are plugged in and secure (no bent/broken pins?)
- your 12v supply is correct, supplying 12v

I'll keep thinking...

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hi Chris,

Figure anything out yet?

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hello

Thanks for that checklist. Doublechecked everything, but
things went on unchanged :-(

Now I bought a new set of Ramps and Arduino. Hope it delivers tomorrow.
Then we´ll see if there´s a fault in either the arduino or the ramps.
It´s the only chance I see, to get this problem done.

Chris

Hello Mogal

New Ramps arrived today. Default firmware on the arduino gave some movement
on the steppers. The loaded Marlin firmware, same problem again. Ok, for now
I know it´s the Marlin firmware. Now I have to get through the parameters and
search for the one that causes this. (I forgot to look which firmware was default :-( )
Is anyone out there with an idea, what causes the steppers not to move within
the Marlin firmware ?

Thanks, Chris

Hey Chris, sorry to hear you still have probs...

Do you have your endstops plugged in?
Also, have you clicked the 'home' button?
Click it first, then try a motor movement.

Just for giggles, I've uploaded the firmware I have.
The ONLY changes to it are to enable the LCD screen.
NO other changes were made.

Cheers!
Chris

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Hello Mogal

Ever heard of a hero? You are one !

I can´t believe it was only that f... click on the home-button.
Everything works now! Thank you so much.
That was the little hint I needed.

Ok, now going to mount everything together and do the first test.

Thanks, Chris

Yea, that one got me stumped too, sorry I didn't think of it earlier...
Might have saved yea the extra purchse...

Glad its working for yea!!

Cheers!
Chris

Post pics if yea can

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

Thanks,
I'm using a dedicated 12v supply.
I REALY don't want another psu.
Any other options?

Where do I test for 5v on the board?

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--------------------------------------------------------
Custom all metal CoreXY
- Duet 2 Wifi w/ PanelDue 7i
- 330mm x 360mm x 500mm
- 750w Silicon heater

Custom Mendel90
(Backup printer - Old reliable!) - Sold

I'm having a similar problem with my reprapdiscount RAMPS 1.4. More info here. The option to take out D1 and use 5V into the appropriate pins starts looking better and better.

How did this turn out, in the end?