1 Topic by rjp350z

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Topic: Left Laser not working

Hairu526,

finally got around to testing the BYOP kit.  Having a problem with Left Laser.  when turned on in software the pin won't go high I get only ~1.6-1.7 Vdc.  Right laser works fine when sent high I get 4.34 VDC and all is good.

I tested both lasers independently and they both work fine so not actual Laser issue it seems to be an issue with the GPIO not going HIGH.

Should I be looking at possible hardware issue or could it be software?  I built the software directly from GIT Src and didn't change anything other than HTTP port

2 Reply by hairu526

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Re: Left Laser not working

I wouldn't expect it to be the software.  Can you check that the ULN2003A (the long black IC) is seated firmly?

3 Reply by rjp350z

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Re: Left Laser not working

ULN was seated correctly - even changed it out for a new one just for the hell of it.

4 Reply by hairu526 (edited by hairu526 2015-05-17 13:47:31)

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Re: Left Laser not working

Can you send me a close-up photo of the bottom of the electronics board?  Also, please check the ribbon cable connection to the Pi and the board.  If the cable looks OK, then we need to test the Pi.  Based on your earlier posts it sounds like you have a multimeter.  If you also have a female to male jumper, can you test the voltage coming directly off that pin on the Pi?

5 Reply by FaanP

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Re: Left Laser not working

Had similar problem with my build.  It was a problem with that I/O on the Pi.  I moved it to a different pin and all was ok.

6 Reply by rjp350z

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Re: Left Laser not working

FaanP - will check that over the weekend currently traveling so no access to the units.

Thanks Hairu - will check that also over the weekend.

7 Reply by hairu526

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Re: Left Laser not working

Also, please double check your pin assignments on the Setup page and make sure that nothing else is using the same pin.  The lasers should be on pins 4 and 5.

8 Reply by rjp350z

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Re: Left Laser not working

So far so good.  Finally got both lasers working.  wound up being faulty PI-2.
I replaced the PI and all is good.  Now to finish the bed printing and final assembly

9 Reply by hairu526

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Re: Left Laser not working

I'm sorry to hear about the Pi but I'm glad you're up and running.

10 Reply by rjp350z

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Re: Left Laser not working

Thanks Hairu - I've been using the original PI for quite some time now for testing other projects and may have inadvertently damaged it during one of my all night sessions..... smile

11 Reply by pirvan (edited by pirvan 2015-05-23 05:41:20)

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Re: Left Laser not working

I had a similar problem with my left laser, but in my case it turned out to be a loose wire. 

The laser wires are short, so an extension wire was added to them.  These wires are not soldered, rather they used a little piece of metal tubing, and crimped the wires inside, effectively an inline splice.  Then added some shrink tubing over it.

Unfortunately on one of my lasers, these wires were very poorly crimped and loose.  The only thing that was holding it in place was the heatshrink tubing.  So I just twisted the ends together, then soldered them for good measure and covered them with shrink tubing, so now both my lasers work just fine.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

12 Reply by slimstar2

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Re: Left Laser not working

I had same problem as Pirvan ... bad crimp works now.

SD3, RAMPS 1.4, Lawsy's carriages modified by me, 2 SSRs, E3D V6, 2 Power supplies, Independent monitoring of both power supplies (amps and volts) also extruder and bed temps, Blue Tooth connectivity, bearings in all axis & rotational points, Y axis direct drive.  Remotely controlled power box on / off . Gecko Tec build plate . Renamed FrankenDoodle