Extruder motor not working correctly after update

alankilian

OK, you were running firmware revision 2.something and it was working fine and you updated to firmware version 3.3 and now your extruder doesn't move much at all.

And you changed nothing other than the firmware revision.
Is that right?

I don't suppose you have your old 2.x config.g do you?

GBusy24

@alankilian Well, that's right in a way, but sooo many things changed going from 2.? to 3.0 and above. It wasn't a matter of simply copying everything over because of all the changes like the 'M' commands.

Phaedrux

When you say it won't work, is that with or without filament loaded?

When you increase the current it does move? Is that when extruding plastic?

Perhaps your thermistor values didn't get brought along and your temps are off?

1100ma on a 1400ma board is still within the the 60-85% of rated, albeit at the high end.

GBusy24

@phaedrux With filament loaded.Increase in current makes it move and extrude somewhat. DWC reports being at print temp. Yes, current that high concerns me. Really want to resolve this. I have a big project I'm ready to start

deckingman

@gbusy24 said in Extruder motor not working correctly after update:

@phaedrux With filament loaded.Increase in current makes it move and extrude somewhat. DWC reports being at print temp. Yes, current that high concerns me. Really want to resolve this. I have a big project I'm ready to start

As a general rule, needing to set high motor current to get an extruder to work is a sign that something else is amiss. That "something else" is a restriction to flow which might be caused a partial blockage or attempting to extrude at too low a temperature. Are you sure that the temperature reading is accurate? Have you tried raising the hot end temperature and if so what happens? Have you checked for any partial blockages, either in the nozzle or in the heat break area?

GBusy24

@deckingman Along with the update to 3.3, I also refurbished the hotend. New heater block, new thermistor, new heat break, new heat sink and nozzle also. New everything after 6 years of heavy use. I'm using the same filament I used for almost 4 yrs. Printing at same temp I always have with this filament. The extruder motor is brand new too. E3d 0.9 resolution pancake stepper.

OwenD

@gbusy24 said in Extruder motor not working correctly after update:

The extruder motor is brand new too. E3d 0.9 resolution pancake stepper.

Were you running the same motor before?
I am using an E3D pancake motor on my titan aero and found I needed fairly high currents to get the little motor to work reliably at higher feed rates.
I have no problems because the water cooled block also keeps the motor very cool.

deckingman

@gbusy24 Have you considered the possibility that the reason your extruder motor doesn't work after updating the firmware might be something to do with the miriad of other changes you made at the same time (including changing the motor itself), rather than a firmware issue?

GBusy24

@deckingman Yes, but I've unfortunately been at all this for quite some time B4 I ever dreamed of posting my issues on the forum. That's just how I am. I go to great lengths to work things out on my own first. Therefor, I now cry out. LOL

GBusy24

@deckingman and OwenD, I threw caution to the wind and upped the current to 1200ma and things are working as I want now, that's 86%. Lotta current, but if it works......................

GBusy24

@owend What currents are you running?

OwenD

@gbusy24
I'm actually running 1400mA on that motor.
I started at about 1100 and as the motor was stone cold when running, because of the liquid cooling, I eventually increased it up to the maximum rated current.
It still runs cold and I've had no issues although I'm not a high volume user.
I can't guarantee the same results for you, especially if you don't have a liquid cooled extruder system.

deckingman

@gbusy24 What diameter nozzle do you use? If it's 0.4mm consider using 0.5mm. You will arguably lose 0.1mm in resolution if you print small, highly detailed parts, but a 0.5mm nozzle has circa 50% more area than a 0.4mm nozzle and you'll find that you can extrude reliably using much less extruder pressure (motor torque).

GBusy24

@owend Thanks for your reply.

GBusy24

@deckingman I may give that a try. Thanks

dc42

@gbusy24 if you run:

M98 P"config.g"

are any errors reported?

GBusy24

@dc42 Hi, I just saw your message and ran the command. E-thing seems good to go. Here's the response: "M98 P"config.g"
HTTP is enabled on port 80
FTP is disabled
TELNET is disabled
I've come to terms that this smaller stepper needs higher current than normal sized steppers. I'm okay with that. I've used this motor for years on my setup and haven't had any problems. I am going to show it a lil' love tho with a nice heatsink that arrives tomorrow