1 Topic by Skyblue (edited by Skyblue 2013-04-04 21:01:32)

  • Skyblue
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Topic: Low voltage to x-motor?

Hello everyone.  Been having a problem with the x motor.  It stutters and won't move like it was.  I switched x and y connectors and used Repetier to test and when I did, the x motor worked perfectly while selecting y arrows.  X arrows made y direction stutter as if not enough power just like x was.   Switched back to correct positions and problem still there on x-axes.   Is there a remedy for power output to x-motor.  Pretty much a novice here.  I had bought another x-motor and installed, and it still does the same thing.  I'm assuming its some kind of power issue?

2 Reply by Rincewind

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

Skyblue wrote:

Hello everyone.  Been having a problem with the x motor.  It stutters and won't move like it was.  I switched x and y connectors and used Repetier to test and when I did, the x motor worked perfectly while selecting y arrows.  X arrows made y direction stutter as if not enough power just like x was.   Switched back to correct positions and problem still there on x-axes.   Is there a remedy for power output to x-motor.  Pretty much a novice here.  I had bought another x-motor and installed, and it still does the same thing.  I'm assuming its some kind of power issue?

You should adjust your trimpots. There are instructions on the official solidoodle site to do so. It's not as hard as they make it sound, just be gentle with the screwdriver smile

3 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

I had same issue in Y. I had to replace the stepper board for the Y

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

4 Reply by Skyblue (edited by Skyblue 2013-04-05 11:23:08)

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

Thanks for your responses.  I've turned the pot on x and nothing happens.  Now there is no action on x at all.  I guess the board is fried.  Only had working for 20 days when hot end broke, after waiting 7 weeks for delivery.  Waited 3 weeks for replacement, now the board.  Guess I'll be waiting another month for the board if I choose to try and fix instead of putting out for garbage man.  Been looking for other sources for board, found one, but the instructions to flash new board are impossible to understand.  Very unhappy camper.

5 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

I was in same boat, After getting bed level, case, glass mod, wire bundle mod to eliminate sticking layers and cooling. Mu shifting started and unit was sitting for weeks useless.

I di realize it was a stepper board. Simple fix and $13 part I bought from polulo A4988 board but they were not soldered (they came within 2 days though) I also ordered a SureSteper from Panchett SD8825. They are pres soldered come with heat sink and handle more current. Those took 3 weeks. But popped them in and X-Y were fixed. I did have to dial the voltage in. Still had small shifts which I realized were the extruder clogged.

All in all up and running and appears ok. Still do not have confidence in large prints yet. And quality seems to have suffered a little after the fix. Meaning: My top and bottom solid layers now do not fully fill up some holes. and banding seems to be worse even after all my calibrations.

Long story I am glad it is running. I will keep working on her. But I am going to build a Mendel Max or Rostock with higher end hardware and more rigid frame and bearings adn I think I should be much happier.

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

6 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

You turned the pot? Did you use a voltmeter? You have too. I would try running your volatge lower. I found when even a few tenths too high the steppers buzzed a lot when connecting and they made more whining noises when running. With new stepper boards the trim pot is more accurate and easier to dial in and I am able to run lower voltages and it appears fine and run strong

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

7 Reply by Skyblue (edited by Skyblue 2013-04-05 13:54:44)

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

jjcuff1 wrote:

You turned the pot? Did you use a voltmeter? You have too. I would try running your volatge lower. I found when even a few tenths too high the steppers buzzed a lot when connecting and they made more whining noises when running. With new stepper boards the trim pot is more accurate and easier to dial in and I am able to run lower voltages and it appears fine and run strong


Yeah, its ruined now.  Was turning the pot and the silver screw I was turning fell off.  Now there is nothing to turn.  Board is trashed.  Pretty pissed.  I thought it was good when it was working, only 20 days though.   Now I'm screwed.  I do not recommend as I was following Solidoodle's instructions.  I guess my only alternative is to order another board, wait 2 months and screw it up again.

8 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

I was there do not despair. Can you solder? Order the Black Edition Pololu and you should have by tue-wed.

Hind site I should have ordered 4 of them. I ordered 2 and glad I did because the X fried immediately after the Y fried but now I think my extruder is going too. I will order a few more and probably 3 more servos and a ramps board to start my next build.


But order the boards and you will surprised and have more confidence in the machine when you see the difference a new board makes. Then you will also realize that all the tension stuff, although important, is not as critical as you think for just running the machine (it is for getting accurate perfect circles to a degree but it should run regardless)

Now that I realize the voltage and electronics are more of the issue my problems make more sense and I also do not screw around with mind numbing mechanical tweaks as much. I know the problems when I see it and I can fix it, replace it, or calibrate it out.

Get the parts fixed and get it up and running then just figur eout your next build or upgrades for the SD

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

9 Reply by Skyblue

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

jjcuff1 wrote:

I was there do not despair. Can you solder? Order the Black Edition Pololu and you should have by tue-wed.

Hind site I should have ordered 4 of them. I ordered 2 and glad I did because the X fried immediately after the Y fried but now I think my extruder is going too. I will order a few more and probably 3 more servos and a ramps board to start my next build.


But order the boards and you will surprised and have more confidence in the machine when you see the difference a new board makes. Then you will also realize that all the tension stuff, although important, is not as critical as you think for just running the machine (it is for getting accurate perfect circles to a degree but it should run regardless)

Now that I realize the voltage and electronics are more of the issue my problems make more sense and I also do not screw around with mind numbing mechanical tweaks as much. I know the problems when I see it and I can fix it, replace it, or calibrate it out.



Get the parts fixed and get it up and running then just figur eout your next build or upgrades for the SD




Thank you for your response, but removing the x stepper driver chip and re-soldering is beyond my capabilities.  I could probably replace the whole board if I could get one in a timely fashion, but I know I'm dreaming in that regard.  I'm not a poor man, so money is not the object.  Just want it working again.

10 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

OK they do what I did, Simple, http://www.panucatt.com/product_p/sd8825.htm

Buy at least 2 of these for the x-y.

They literally just pop right in, like 1 minute install. I have pictures on my post here.

The trim pot dial is easier then the SD ones and I have 5 at .5V and the X at .43 I am going to dial them down a little since it seems this board sends more current then the stock ones (good) so I can lower voltage and run cooler.

http://www.soliforum.com/topic/1762/new … installed/

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

11 Reply by ysb

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

Skyblue wrote:

... but removing the x stepper driver chip and re-soldering is beyond my capabilities....

nothing to solder... just remove the daughter board, and put another one in place.. (they are push-in-place board)

Find all my 3D printable models here
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12 Reply by elmoret

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

ysb wrote:
Skyblue wrote:

... but removing the x stepper driver chip and re-soldering is beyond my capabilities....

nothing to solder... just remove the daughter board, and put another one in place.. (they are push-in-place board)

Depends on where you get it, some retailers supply the pin headers separately.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
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13 Reply by jjcuff1

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

Yes  but some are soldered some are not. the SD8825 ARE soldered AND come with heat sinke AND handle more current AND same price. Just get SD8825 and plug it in. better all around.

SD2 owner- Surestepr, filament holder,QUBD servo and heaters, glass bed
Print for fun and for parts for my sports cars
current car is 88 IROC

14 Reply by ysb

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Re: Low voltage to x-motor?

elmoret wrote:
ysb wrote:
Skyblue wrote:

... but removing the x stepper driver chip and re-soldering is beyond my capabilities....

nothing to solder... just remove the daughter board, and put another one in place.. (they are push-in-place board)

Depends on where you get it, some retailers supply the pin headers separately.

he speak about the chip.. not the header... soldering header is easy... soldering chip is difficult..

Find all my 3D printable models here
Game of ropes 2 online..Adult only

ysb's Website