1 Topic by mrankin

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Topic: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Whenever I start to heat the extruder and print bed, the power cycles on, then about 2 to 4 seconds in the lights and fan dim, then shut off for just a second and then come back on. After that it says it's still connected but becomes inoperable and can no longer read the temperature. And you can no longer move the print head in any axis. It also makes the sound like you're disconnecting the USB cable. Anybody ever heard of that one before?

I've reinstalled the driver and software and checked all the wiring for proper seating. It's not a software thing, it sounds like something is overheating or tripping a breaker of some kind. It don't even know where to begin on this one.

2 Reply by ronsii (edited by ronsii 2013-08-26 22:55:42)

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Probably your power supply has either a bad connection on the plug from the wall or the two wires going to the back of the printer on the main board.

edit: found the link to the power supply problem/fix... in case it is this ---> http://www.soliforum.com/topic/2026/sol … d-working/

3 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

I guess I should also ask how long you have had the printer?

4 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Just a couple weeks. I only had it for about a week and then realized I had a bad batch of filament because nothing was sticking to the print bed. I used the sample filament and could barely remove it from the kapton tape. So I've been waiting several weeks for the filament to come in. Now, it's in, the printer isn't working. It's just been sitting there for a few weeks.  I've had the worst luck so far with this thing.

Thanks for the link Ronsii. I'll check that in the morning when I get back to the office. I think the power supply is working properly, but I'll double check.

5 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Looks like the power supply is working just fine. As long as I don't turn on the extruder or print bed, the software responds and the head moves. A few seconds after the heat is turned on, the software stops responding. I can't move the head. I can't turn off the heat. I have to unplug it to get the extruder to stop heating.

Some how or another the software stops communicating with the printer after either the extruder or the print bed is turned on. I've tried them both independently and both cause the same issue. It actually causes the software to become frozen. You can't turn off off the heat, you can't move the head, nothing. You have to unplug the usb to get it to unfreeze and disconnect.

6 Reply by tateerstem

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

I had the same problem. Turns out it was a bad power supply. Machine works now with windows 7. Still having XP problems though. Machine runs, but having issues with the actual print/calibration. I have had my machine for nearly 2 months, and have yet to print a complete part...

7 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Oh nos.... That is not very encouraging tateerstem. Did you have to purchase another power supply or did Solidoodle send you another one?

8 Reply by ronsii

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

From what you are saying turning on either bed or extruder eater makes the leds flicker... I would say if the two wires coming from the power supply to the mainboard are connected good(screws tight) then you probably have a bad power supply that just doesn't like too much of a load on it.

9 Reply by tateerstem

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

They sent me a new power supply at no cost.

10 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

I'm in contact with Joel at Solidoodle now. I'll let y'all know how this goes down from here.

11 Reply by sigiel

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

I had the problem of the extruder and heat bed  heating non stop. I pressed the reset button on the board, and it was resolved.

easy to try. cost nothing... can save a printer.

12 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

Hmm... where is this reset button. I just searched the forums and there are a lot of references, but I don't see anything that looks like a gray reset button on the board in the back.

13 Reply by mrankin

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Re: Loses connectivity and stops functioning

I just got my replacement power supply (at no charge) and hooked it up. Sucker is running like a champ! I have good ABS and a working Power Supply... I'm ready to start printing some stuff! Yay!

Thanks for the help in diagnosing the problem y'all!