Orbiter Extruder Pains

mikeatfhc

Hi All:

Long time lurker, I haven't had anything new to contribute so I've mostly used the forum as a reference. I now have a problem I can't seem to find an answer to either searching the net or this site.

Background:
I have a DBot core XY I built quite a few years ago - I like to tinker and print for fun so I have performed a number of upgrades both borrowed and some I modified to fit my printer. I have a Duet 2 Wifi on it which I really like. I have been using a Nible v1 extruder and have liked it but wondered if a direct drive would be better as I had one on a previous printer (Folger Tech I2020). That printer was reliable and printed very well.

My DBot has been anything but reliable. For one reason or another I would struggle with consistency... so I got the upgrade bug and bought a Orbiter v1.5 from Filastruder (I'm in the USA). Many months later I decide to try to install it.

Here is where I screwed-up and where everything went sideways on me.

First I didn't do any reading before tearing into the upgrade, within minutes I had fried my driver 3. I have confirmed this as it reports the ground error with or without a stepper connected. It also has a very fine little dot on the chip where it looks like it melted. Once I got the phasing correct I remapped the Extruder to drive 4 and tried the LDO stepper that came with the Orbiter on driver 4. No go, it will spin and then I get an error reporting driver 4 shorted to ground.

If I put my old extruder stepper on driver 4 it works fine. No matter the amperage LDO stepper (rated 1A per phase) will turn once then report the ground error. At this point I am convinced I got a bum stepper, so nothing to lose I decided to open it up and look around for anything obvious. After some cleanup and a light oiling of surfaces I put it back and still the same issue with the stepper. It will not run longer than one short test cycle, then I get the short message.

I am convinced I received a bum stepper. I have made an order thru Amazon for a replacement stepper that specs similar with a lower voltage - hopefully that will work.

So, after the TLDR - A couple of questions if someone can point me in the right direction:

If there anything (given that nothing is obviously visually wrong with the stepper) I should try to get it functional? I failed to mention I have the phasing correct and tried switching the polarity with no success and I have very good connections.
Since I fried one driver, is purchasing the Duex 5 to replace the missing driver warranted (I will add a third stepper to my z-axis given the large number of drivers)? Will the Duex work for me even though driver 3 is fried?

Thanks for any guidance you can provide, Happy Holidays everyone.

MIke

o_lampe

@mikeatfhc
IIRC, the LDO runs best at around 350-450 mA. 1A will probably cause the shortcut error

o_lampe

@mikeatfhc said in Orbiter Extruder Pains:

Will the Duex work for me even though driver 3 is fried?

Yes it will, but there is a procedure to uninstall the burnt driver in RRF, ~~but I couldn't find the link.~~

dc42

@mikeatfhc you could consider getting the burned driver chip replaced. The TMC2660 drivers do not have a thermal pad underneath, so they are not difficult to replace using either hot air or low melting point solder such as ChipQuik. I recommend using a vacuum pickup tool for lifting the chip off the PCB.

To tell RRF to ignore a driver, use R-1 in the M569 command for that driver.

oliof

also make sure you run the latest 3.4 beta -- depending how driver 3 blew it's absence may cause the "short to ground" error in RRF3.1 to 3.4beta3 while your LDO stepper is fine

mikeatfhc

@o_lampe - I've tried all sorts for amperage adjusts nothing seems to make a difference. Today I specifically tried 350ma - still getting the error.

mikeatfhc

@oliof - I am running Reprap Firmware 2.05.1 - I guess I have some upgrading to do, because disabling the burnt drive (3) using the M569 command no difference.

mikeatfhc

@dc42 - And everyone else who has responded with advice - THANK YOU.

Unfortunately, still no workie.

Here is an excerpt of my Config.g that I just modified to try your suggestions:

; ############################
; 4 - DRIVES
; ############################
; Drives (all stepper wires same direction - blue wire to right
M569 P3 R-1 ; Drive 3 Burnt Chip - this command disables it
M569 P0 S1 ; Drive 0 (x) goes forwards
M569 P1 S1 ; Drive 1 (y) goes forwards
M569 P2 S1 ; Drive 2 (z) goes forwards
;M569 P3 S1 ; Drive 3 (e) goes forwards; Burnt Driver 3 12/22/21 comment - out.
M569 P4 S1 ; Drive 4 (e1) goes forwards ; Orbiter v1.5 12/22/21
M584 X0 Y1 Z2 E4 ; 12/22/21 old - Two z steppers connected to driver outputs Z and E1 = M584 X0 Y1 Z2:4 E3
M671 X-45:345 Y0:0 S0.5 ; Two Leadscrews at left (connected to Z) and right
M350 X16 Y16 Z16 E16 I1 ; Configure microstepping with interpolation
M92 X99.90 Y99.87 Z398.72 E743.50 ; Set steps per mm old = M92 X99.90 Y99.87 Z398.72 E2924.17
;M906 X1500 Y1500 Z1500 E450 I30 ; EXAMPLE Set motor currents (mA) and motor idle factor in per cent
M906 X800.00 Y800.00 Z1200.00 E350.00 I30 ; Set motor currents (mA) and motor idle factor in per cent - E was E450
M84 S30 ; Set idle timeout

I am getting this specific error: "Error: Short-To-Ground Reported By Driver(s) 4"

It will let me extrude once (using the M302 p1 command) then the console reports the error and then will not let me extrude any further until a reset of the board.

I can try to upgrade the firmware but am a bit leery of doing so given the changes to parameters and the multistep process - I am afraid of creating more havoc before I have solved the root cause of the problem with the stepper.

DC42 - I can solder but I have never even attempted surface mount components. I did look up the ChipQuik product and the chip on Digikey. Are you referencing the ChipQuik for desoldering the chip? What would be the resolding technique?

Alex.cr

@mikeatfhc

Have you tried basic tests like measuring the resistance of each phase of the stepper to verify its integrity?

mikeatfhc

@alex-cr - Yes, I left that part out of my posts.

One leg measures 2.4 ohms and the other leg measures 0.9 ohms. In searching online I am not aware of any other tests but to try to identify polarity after the correct continuity is established for each phase.

Something I am missing here?

Alex.cr

@mikeatfhc

Both phases should have similar resistances. In my opinion that amount of difference in the stepper phase resistances clearly shows the stepper is bad. I would replace the stepper before doing anything else.

mikeatfhc

@alex-cr - thanks for the assistance alex-cr. I have contacted Filastruder to see if they would honor a warranty replacement.

Too bad I had to learn the hard way to RTFM.

mikeatfhc

@alex-cr et all...

FYI to close the loop for those who have offered help: I contacted Filastruder - they sent me a replacement LDO motor for the Orbiter v1.5. I got to play with it a bit this evening and bench test it - it is working perfectly. Now I can complete the upgrade and actually test it using some plastic.

I also purchased the Duex 5 add-on board so I can replace the burnt driver and add some additional drivers so I can now implement a three stepper Z axis.

Thanks again for your help - Mike