1 Topic by mdrVB6

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Topic: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Title basically says it all.  It's an SD4 with E3D V6 and GT2 conversion and adrian's solidoodle firmware.  Doesn't matter if its hooked up to my computer running windows 10 or my tablet using Gcode printr app.  It keeps dropping the connection.  I know its not overheating because the device is no longer shown.  One time the heater was even stuck on and it started burning the print but I was there to unplug it.  I have heard thru my various reddit and soliforum reading that windows 10 frequently has connectivity issues due to driver changes or something but I have never had issues on my tablet before.

My other printer is an SD2 with RUMBA and it has no issues with printing from either computer or tablet.

Eventually I will pop out the RUMBA from my SD2 but I want to design a bracket for the SD4 to put it on the side first.  I don't even know where to start trouble shooting the printrboard.  I knew eventually it would disappoint me but I wanted to get a little more time out of it.  Any suggestions?

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

2 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Make sure the baud rate is set the same in firmware and RH.  Also doesn't hurt to try a new USB cable.  Certain other things sharing a circuit can cause issues as well.  A box fan or florescant light are usual suspects.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

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3 Reply by mdrVB6

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Yes, baud rate is 250000 in both.  Digging up another USB cable now.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

4 Reply by mdrVB6

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Well, I double confirmed my board is not over temping by aiming a desk fan at it while printing.  Sure enough, it still quit about an hour into the 2 hour print.  The command line shows "Communication timeout- reset send buffer block".  I got a screenshot if needed.  And then the print is dead and just sits there with the heaters still running.  This is bad and dangerous. 

A new USB cable is on the way.  Should I also try another baud rate?  Any other suggestions?  Thanks.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

5 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Look for any other loose connections or broken wires.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

6 Reply by TickTock

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

I had this same problem on my sd4.  It went away when I put the printer and the computer together on a conditioning/filtering power strip.  Putting just one or the other on it didn't fix it - both had to be plugged into the same, filtered, supply.

7 Reply by mdrVB6

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

TickTock wrote:

I had this same problem on my sd4.  It went away when I put the printer and the computer together on a conditioning/filtering power strip.  Putting just one or the other on it didn't fix it - both had to be plugged into the same, filtered, supply.

Can you link the one you used successfully?  Looking on amazon I see these for anywhere from $70 to $300.  I've never shopped for these before, don't really know what I am looking for.  Thanks.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

8 Reply by TickTock

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

I bought it at the local Walmart for ~ $25.  It is a Belkin Model Q800BG-06 according to the sticker but a google search doesn't bring anything up.  It looks kinda like this:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications … No=2583309

9 Reply by mdrVB6

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Okay, sounds good.  For some reason, when you search amazon for filtering power supply, it brings up a whole lot of more expensive options.  Anyway, my new USB cable didn't do any good, it still froze the print about an hour into the 2 hour job.  I had it plugged into a basic power strip for this one, but I will bring my better strip that looks more like the one you linked home from work to try out.

Meanwhile, the printer with the RUMBA just keep doing what it is told with no fuss.  I'm out for the next week or two but after that I guess the SD4 will get the RUMBA as soon as I have some time to work on it more.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

10 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Rumba's are great but I currently have one that is having the same problem as your Printerboard.  I have narrowed it down to a bad wire/connection going to the extruder assembly Could be thermistor (my first guess) or heat cartridge, possibly even the fan wires.  I will be changing them all out to eliminate the problem.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website

11 Reply by mdrVB6

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

I don't understand how any of those could make the board drop the connection.  Like I said, it seems that windows 10 does not play nice with a lot of the driver software used for 3D printer boards, at least based on my forum browsing.  But that doesn't explain why it is happening when I print from my tablet.

SD4 w/ RUMBA, E3D Volcano, all bearings, glass bed

12 Reply by wardjr

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Re: Printrboard keeps losing the connection mid print

Just spent 3hours tracing my problem down.  Loose ground wire on a fan was the only thing I found.  Fan was working but my best guess was as the machine shook it was wiggling the contact.  That must have created just enough interference to mess with the USB connection.  Fixed the loose wire and the problem went away.

Printit Industries Model 8.10 fully enclosed CoreXY, Chamber heat
3-SD3's & a Workbench all fully enclosed, RH-Slic3r Win7pro, E3D V6, Volcano & Cyclops Hot End
SSR/500W AC Heated Glass Bed, Linear bearings on SS rods. Direct Drive Y-axis, BulldogXL
Thanks to all for your contributions

wardjr's Website