Finally my first print... then my lcd dies :(

[jestah]

So happy to have finally pulled out my first print... lots of work needed to the settings but a print is a print!!!

Many thanks to those who got me this far but im going to need to bug you all again....

The night I got this first print I turned the printer off as and went to bed. Come home from work tonight to get into some testing and find that my LCD has gone down.... I have not changed any wiring but all I can see is two rows of solid blocks.

I have reseated all connectors, check that I got them the right way around, reflashed my firmware but no luck. I can hear the speaker works, I can use the switch to change in the menu (so i guess as it beeps in time) and the reset button also seems to work.

I am out of ideas... not stopping printing as i can run it from my pc but was keen to do some sd card prints so I can move the printer off my partners desk (got to keep her happy as the printer is getting more love from me at the moment....)

[jestah]

And some photos of the dead lcd...

my first print!!!! Not perfect but at least I have something fun to give my better half!

[Batteau62]

Jestah-
Which firmware are you using?
Is your Rambo powered by usb or power supply?
I had similar issues. My first thoughts were firmware, I use the SeeMecnc download page: "Reptier Firmware", this works on mine. I did have a loose connection at the board. Fixed that, but still had some problems. If your Rambo is powered by usb, I suggest changing the jumper next to the usb board connection to power supply(power off and unplugged, also make sure you don't have a static charge, Ideally use a grounding cuff.). This will make your printer truly stand alone SD capable. This also hard resets the Rambo along with the lcd. This worked for me Fingers crossed for you.
Cute first print, good to hear you also keep the "better half" happy, very important!

[JohnStack]

Been there, so I'm going with Batteau62 - something's loose or shorted. Also, check those power connections - until I put on some threadlocking stuff they were coming off after long periods of leaving it powered up. Since you are printing - you don't have anything that's burned out, it's just a connection issue.

[jestah]

thanks guys, just got in from work and about to get stuck in.

Planning on unplugging every thing and seating it again... fingers crossed.

Also installing a al. plate under the glass that I cut in hopes to get better prints.

What is the current hot mod for better homing switches?

Also is there a printable DTI/pen holder file kicking about as I'm going to pick up a new DTI tomorrow to help clock in the build surface a bit better.

[jestah]

no luck.... reseated each cable and still my LCD is not working... the squares that do light up have changed tho...

Should I try re-soldering the adapter board in case I have a dry joint?

I just want to point out this was working a few days ago and stopped working over night

[Polygonhell]

no luck.... reseated each cable and still my LCD is not working... the squares that do light up have changed tho...

Should I try re-soldering the adapter board in case I have a dry joint?

I just want to point out this was working a few days ago and stopped working over night

Unless you changed the firmware just before it stopped working, it's almost certainly an issue with the actual LCD wiring, probably a lose wire , or a bad joint on the adapter board.
It's is literally just connected to a few output pins on the arduino.

[jestah]

resoldered all the joints to the adapter board but still no luck.... Reflashed the firmware from a fresh download just in case... no luck....

the lcd seems to want to work but I'm starting to think I may have killed it and just need to order a replacement. Any other checks I an do before I order a new lcd?

I guess i can still print from my pc so think ill get back to trying to get this thing printing well.

[jestah]

bump....

Before I order a new lcd as this one seems to work can some one help me work out how to test link in the chain is broken?

I live in NZ so ordering spare parts takes weeks to arrive and if they are the wrong ones not only do I have the added expense but also the added time to reorder what is actually broken....

[kbob]

The problem is going to be in one of four places. Ribbon cables, LCD controller, LCD adapter board, or RAMBo.

There are several threads on this forum that mention that the LCD controller used to come with two different lengths of ribbon cables. The short cables work just fine; the long cables give some people symptoms like yours. My printer, sold in May 2013, only came with the short cables. They are about 14" (350mm) long. I guess the long cables are longer than that. (-:

You can also check your cables with a multimeter. Check that none of the conductors are broken, and that none of them are shorted to adjacent pins. If the cables are bad, you can probably source parts for new ones locally. Ask an electronic technician where to get the parts.

You've already resoldered the adapter board, and presumably you've both visually inspected it and buzzed it out with a meter to make sure pins that are supposed to be connected are connected, and pins that are supposed to be isolated are isolated. Unless the board is really badly bodged, you should be able to repair it.

You can also vacuum off the RAMBo and the LCD controller. A bit of metal might have fallen in and caused a short. (Not likely, but worth checking.)

Once you've eliminated the things you can repair or replace locally, the LCD controller is next. It comes from RepRapDiscount in China; maybe you'd be better off ordering direct from them. SeeMeCNC also sells them.

The RAMBo is the least likely to be the problem, and also the most expensive to replace.

[jestah]

The problem is going to be in one of four places. Ribbon cables, LCD controller, LCD adapter board, or RAMBo.

Thanks A bunch Kbob, got some time this morning so going to try the tips you suggested that I have not tired yet!