Can I run a Duet2 Wifi without the module?
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I was in the process of installing the board to the bottom of my printer, and it bumped loose and took a big tumble. The Wifi module broke cleanly free. Could I still use the board without the wifi module, or will it balk at its absense?
Conversely, can it be just re-surface mounted? I do see very think wires that would have been underneath connecting to the pads, so I don't know if my eyes are playing tricks, or there some extra traces beyond the pads.
Thanks
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You could try and find a place to do hot air repairs locally to get it reattached.
Or maybe from a community member: https://forum.duet3d.com/topic/13875/community-repairs
It would still work without it, but you lose the ability to access it over the network which means no DWC and no direct file uploads. You'd have to manually copy the gcode files onto sd card and then initiate a print with a command sent over usb terminal and you have no way to edit the config easily. Not very convenient.
If you can't find a place to repair and this is a Duet purchased from an authorized reseller you can contact roland@duet3d.com and inquire about a refurbished unit at reduced cost on exchange.
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@Phaedrux said in Can I run a Duet2 Wifi without the module?:
inquire about a refurbished unit
Are these available to the general public to buy without an exchange?
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@JadonM I don't believe so. The amount available at any time is variable.
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@Egz said in Can I run a Duet2 Wifi without the module?:
Conversely, can it be just re-surface mounted?
if the traces on the board are intact, all you need is a soldering iron and some flux to install a new one.
but "broke cleanly free" sounds like it has potential to damage the board - if you upload a picture or two of the area we should be able to evaluate any damage.
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Since my eyes aren't as good as they used to be, now that I see with the telephoto lense, it looks like the pads lifted off, and there was some damage to traces. I'm waiting to hear back from my EE friend, but I'm going to assume its toast.
Thanks, I'll try that email, and see if that can help.
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Not sure I'd call that "cleanly". Bit more tricky than originally thought.
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@Phaedrux said in Can I run a Duet2 Wifi without the module?:
Yea, at first glance it looked clean, but zoomed in, its more of a disaster.
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It looks to me that the Duet PCB is intact, but traces have been ripped off the back of the WiFi module. So it can be repaired. You will need a new WiFi module, which you can find on eBay. You can choose from ESP12S (internal antenna), or ESP07S + external antenna.
First, clean up the pads on the Duet. Heat each one with a soldering iron (observe anti-static precautions) and use fine tweezers to pull the bits of wifi module trace away. Then use solder wick to remove excess solder, so that the new WiFi module will sit flat on the pads.
Then it's just a case of soldering the new WiFi module in place, which is easily done using a soldering iron with a fine tip.
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If you do replace the WiFi module yourself, I recommend covering the surrounding area with kapton tape (especially the sd card module). I accidentally melted part of the sd card module when replacing mine last year because I was being a bit careless, so had to replace that too...
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@engikeneer said in Can I run a Duet2 Wifi without the module?:
If you do replace the WiFi module yourself, I recommend covering the surrounding area with kapton tape (especially the sd card module). I accidentally melted part of the sd card module when replacing mine last year because I was being a bit careless, so had to replace that too...
That's a wise precaution if using hot air to solder or desolder the WiFi module. But I find it easier to fit a new module using a soldering iron instead of hot air.
BTW I've recently discovered Cold Gold heat insulating tape, which find very effective for shielding nearby components from the hot air, much more effective than Kapton for e.g. protecting Molex headers.
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Thanks for the suggestions. I'll explore that path first. Discovered that I can get a new one from Digikey for only 10 bucks.
Edit: Well Digikey was out of stock, so went to Mouser.
