Firmware problems

Hello everyone.
I'm currently working on the build of a Prusa mendel i2 printer and i've found a lot of persistent problems making the firmware work

Printer: Prusa mendel i2 with Wade's reloaded extruder and with hotbed.
controller board: Sanguinololu 1.3a with at1284p 16mhz and ftdi usb interface chip. Interfacing tested working
Pc system: windows 7. Host softwares tried are replicatorG and Repetier host.

I'm shure this is a very common combination and I find the problems quite strange.

They are reproduced in arduino 1 after loading a repetier or marlin firmware, configuration.h always reviewed and set. (others also tested bad).

I have not been able to read the endstops' status, as they always read default. With the proper board configurated (62 type in most firmwares), wired with three wires, pulllups disabled and with logic state correct up to the MCU pin tested with VOM. This also prevents homing, of course.
X axis doesn't want to move in any direction but home even if + is desired, tested electrically good by interchanging everything, pololu included, with a working axis.
For some reason, temperature measuring and control will always work flawlessly. Extruder stepper is also not problematic.
I think it must be some issue with the board pin definition in the arduino ide or even in the firmware code. But after an extensive trial and error with diverse firmware and hardware definitions, some downloaded being said tested good, I haven't succeeded.
I think it must be such a dumb problem I have not realised of.
Being told working software combinations including board definitions for arduino ide would be of help.

Thank you very much for your attention. I hope being printing with you soon!

Not many run replicatorG or Repetier host. 'Most' use Pronterface or Cura, but that will not cause any of your issues.

Re endstops, on a SL the central power pin on the enstops plugs is not connected to anything. There is a little jumper connector (well place for a solder blob) to select 5v or 12 to the power pins. For mechanical endstops you need to select 5v.

Take a look at SL board bottom
Along the bottom, between the expansion pins and the Z end stop you will see a little "STOP VOLT". You need to connect the centre pin to the 5v. Do not short to 12v. 12v to a IO pin will kill it, shorting 12v to the 5v will destroy the MPU. Be very careful.

Or ignore the +5v line and enable pull ups.

Re X... check you endstop status send a m119 to your printer so it will tell you what it thinks is going on. If you have not disabled max endstops, and may it think both endstops are triggered, it wont move.

I've tested that issue. My endstop are electrically working and toggle from 5v to 0v on the processor pins. The problem must be a software one. I've seen today a message discursing exactly the same problem. [forums.reprap.org] . I'd bet is some minimal change in the now usual atmega 1284p vs 644p the software is not ready for.

the firmware has been using 1284p for well over a year... on SL board too.

One other option that comes to mind is 1284p fuses.

The fuses on the 1284p set some of the functions of the pins, including jtag. If jtag is not turned off, those pins misbehave

see [github.com]

confirmed, this kills pins 24-27, ie x-stop,y-stop,z-stop and X direction.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/26/2014 01:28AM by Dust.