Mini 5+ Need More Endstop Pins, But How?
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Hi, my name is Tino,
I have tried to answer the question myself, but I want to make sure if there is another way and maybe you can help me as I was stuck.
I am building a machine that uses a Duet 3 Mini 5+ as the mainboard with an expansion 2+ and an expansion 1HCL.
Now, my question is regarding the number of stepper motors. However, I need 14 slots for sensors (11 endstops + 3 control/trigger buttons). Am I correct in assuming that I need an additional board for the number of IO pins required?
The hardware being used includes 7 stepper motors, 1 CL stepper motor, and 1 hobby servo. It might be important to mention that I do not need any heating plates or other thermal functions of the board.
With the 3 Mini 5+, Exp. 2+, and Exp. 1HCL, I can operate all the steppers, but there is no space for the sensors, is that correct?
Would I then need to switch to 2x Mini 5+, Exp. 1HCL to accommodate the sensors, or even 1x 6HC + 1x Mini 5+?
Maybe one of you can help me with my project.
Best regards, Tino
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@tino_ber48 The Mini 5+ has 7 IO headers with io#.in pins for inputs. However, you can double this to 14 inputs, as IO output pins (io#.out) can be used as inputs, but note that they are only 3.3V tolerant. Should be okay for endstops, which should be wired between the io pin and GND.
I think the same is true for the 1HCL; IO_0 and IO_1 output pins can be used as inputs too, which should give you four inputs, for a total of 18 inputs.
Ian
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@droftarts
First of all, thank you very much, Ian, for your quick response. If that is feasible, then that would be great. However, I still have a question about the 7xIO header. I found 5xIO headers with in & out, which means 10 slots plus 2 (only in: io5.in + io6.in), or am I overlooking io5.out and io6.out on the wiring diagram?
Tino
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@tino_ber48 Oops, yes, you're right, two of the IO ports are input only. So 12 inputs on the Mini 5+. Plus 4 on the 1HCL.
If you need more expansion, I'd probably go with a 3HC, which has 6x IO with in and out, plus 3x larger stepper drivers. See https://docs.duet3d.com/Duet3D_hardware/Duet_3_family/Duet_3_Expansion_3HC
Ian
