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Shorted Out Stepper Drivers

Posted by jaeg

jaeg

Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 03, 2014 01:36PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 56

So I just shorted out the GND of one stepper driver against the +12 of another stepper driver. It arced and the Arduino smoked leaving the TX and RX lights stuck on. So I know I'll have to get another Arduino but is there a way to test if I need to replace the RAMPS board or the stepper drivers?

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ShadowRam

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 03, 2014 03:28PM

Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 265

Remove the RAMPS board from the Arduino.

Power up the Arduino via the USB and see if it works.

If not, you'll have to replace it.

If it does work, chances is you shorted the D2 Diode on the RAMPS board, which will have to be replaced.

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jaeg

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 03, 2014 03:38PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 56

Yah the Arduino board is shot. The RX and TX lights both stayed on and the Arduino IDE did not recognize it.

Is there a test to see if the RAMPS board/Stepper driver is damaged as well?

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Ohmarinus

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 03, 2014 09:45PM

Admin
Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 3,096

Just a question, how did you short them? I have a ceramics screwdriver for configuring the voltage so I can never short it with that screwdriver, just a tip smiling smiley

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jaeg

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 03, 2014 09:54PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 56

I shorted it trying to measure the wiper voltage while trying to calibrate the stepper motors. My twitched with my probe touching a ground pin and it bridged the driver right next to it's +12 input. Let out a nice arc and the Arduino smoked.

EDIT
Did some tests on the Arduino board. It seems the regulator is what fried. Does that meant the RAMPS board is probably OK?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/03/2014 10:37PM by jaeg.

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uncle_bob

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 06, 2014 08:18PM

Registered: 13 years ago
Posts: 1,433

There is very little on the Ramps that can fry. The diodes are about the only thing you are likely to have nuked. The stepper modules can indeed fry and they should be checked one at a time.

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jaeg

Re: Shorted Out Stepper Drivers
January 06, 2014 08:40PM

Registered: 12 years ago
Posts: 56

I ended up ordering a new RAMPS board and stepper drivers with my Arduino just in case they do turn out to be bad.

What is the best way to test the old RAMPS board and stepper drivers and minimizing risk to the new Arduino board?