Resurrecting a printer from 4+ years ago

rschlachter

Hi folks,

It's been quite a while since I've had my printer running. I put a Duet Wifi in my Wanhao Duplicator i3+ in either 2019 or 2020. Late 2020, I decided to rip it all apart and do some upgrading. Can't post links but following someone else's footsteps called a ReDuplicator.

I had already done the Hemera hot end and the BLTouch before taking it apart. The big goal was the removable build plate and some better parts.

I got it all taken apart and built the new frame. Then my kids came, I started a new business, and put my printing on hold.

I'm finally trying to get back into it. I just built a new enclosure that houses the board and power supply instead of just leaving them on the table. I'll reconnect all the wires over the next day or two but I have a few questions....

Given the new bed size and taller z axis, I know I can't just plug it in and start printing. So should I start completely fresh? Or try to see where I'm at and modify/upgrade?
Is RRF still the way to go? Or is Klipper the new standard? I'm not afraid to switch if it makes sense.
I should be able to grab some of the files and settings from the card, right? I did everything through the web interface previously. No PanelDue.
Anything else I should know before I jump back in?

droftarts

@rschlachter said in Resurrecting a printer from 4+ years ago:

Given the new bed size and taller z axis, I know I can't just plug it in and start printing. So should I start completely fresh? Or try to see where I'm at and modify/upgrade?

I'd probably just start again, first by updating the firmware to the latest, as there have been a lot of developments in the last 4 years. Start as if starting again for the first time: https://docs.duet3d.com/en/How_to_guides/Getting_connected/Getting_connected_to_your_Duet
Create a new configuration set of files using the configuration tool:

Is RRF still the way to go? Or is Klipper the new standard? I'm not afraid to switch if it makes sense.

You're on the Duet/RRF forum, so people are likely to have strong opinions about that! Switching to Klipper will require a Raspberry Pi or similar. Duet boards can run Klipper, but we (Duet3D) don't provide support. Performance- and feature-wise there's little to choose between them.

I should be able to grab some of the files and settings from the card, right? I did everything through the web interface previously. No PanelDue.

You can use your old config, assuming you're on RRF 2.x, to inform your new config. But I'd generate a new config set, rather than try and bash the old one into shape.

Anything else I should know before I jump back in?

We're here for you!

Ian