Background Info:
I've have the Duet Ethernet Duex 5 setup running for many months. This on my bigger printer, so I don't run it a bunch, but enough to know it was functioning fine. I was cleaning up the electrical panel a few days ago (adding some cooling fans to the boards because I was getting temp warning from the drivers and removing some unused hardware). In cleaning up the panel, I removed the Duet and Duex to remount them on some tall standoffs to get better airflow underneath the boards. I had also intermittently had issues with the ethernet module not starting (very intermittently maybe once or twice in the last few months, usually a power cycle or two would resolve the issue.
Once I restarted after cleaning up the panel, I have had some really flakey results from the system. I struggled for about 2 hours trying to get the ethernet working, I finally pulled the module and re-seated it and that seams to have done the trick. The only mistake I made was I connected a thermistor to the always on fan, thinking it was a fan. I blew the thermistor. After it was replaced, no issue, temp reads fine.
The Problem:
- Sometimes the board powers up and does not recognize the Duex. Under the settings screen, it does not say Duet Ethernet + Duex 5, just Duet Ethernet. A power cycle or two and unit will detect the Duex again. I cannot seem to get it to reliably detect the Duex. I have replaced the ribbon cable with a new one. Seemingly no change to the problem. Sometimes it is detected, sometimes not.
- The endstop for E2_Stop is not changing state. Although the lights on the board are changing state, the settings screen is not showing the endstop as changing state. This is when the Duex is being detected. The drivers on the Duex are functioning and the temp inputs on the Duex are working properly.
- I was having issues with my V and W Axis homing as the drives were not moving, but I think this was because the Duex was not being detected properly.
- The thermostatic control on the extruders is no longer working reliably. The fans on the 2 extruders on the main board (Duet Ethernet) are set to run once the hotend gets above 45deg C. This keeps the unit from making a bunch of noise in my office when it is not actively printing. Now, once the temp gets above 45 degrees, they turn on, but only for a few minutes and then cut out even though the temp is 245 deg. I have checked the meter going back to the board and no power from the board.
I am concerned that I have damaged the electronics in some way. I have ordered a new Duet and Duex5 last night. I have another printer that I would like to convert to these electronics. So, not a waste if the issue on the current ones can be resolved.