Verifying Extruder Stepper Operation

[edwardjanderson]

At this step of the process when I click "forward" extrude button the stepper clicks back and forth about 1/2 of the width of a tooth on the knob for approximately 5 seconds. Same if I click the backward extrude button. This behavior is not mentioned in the manual. I have searched the forum but haven't had any hits.

Any guidance is appreciated.

[edwardjanderson]

Turned everything off. Came back an hour later and it is working. On to printing my peek fan shroud

[Eaglezsoar]

Turned everything off. Came back an hour later and it is working. On to printing my peek fan shroud

That is weird. Everything is still working?

[edwardjanderson]

I printed a couple of parts but the Extruder stepper is stuttering again. With or with out filament. A friend mentioned turning up the 'gain' on the stepper - anyone know how try that?

[bvandiepenbos]

sounds like a loose connection in the stepper motor plug, sometimes the individual pins in the black 4 conductor plug that plugs into Rambo can be loose or only partially plugged in. check that all 4 pins a seated down into plug and the plug in all the way down onto board. I have had just one of the pins come loose even though the plug is all the way down.

also, with machine off unplug stepper from Rambo and check the resistance of the motor coils, you should have 2 pairs with approximately the same resistance.

WARNING! NEVER plug or unplug stepper motor with board powered on, you will likely blow a motor driver chip on the Rambo board.

[lordbinky]

Loose pins or bad crimps inside the plug can pop a driver too if they make intermittent contact while the board is plugged in.

[edwardjanderson]

sounds like a loose connection in the stepper motor plug, sometimes the individual pins in the black 4 conductor plug that plugs into Rambo can be loose or only partially plugged in. check that all 4 pins a seated down into plug and the plug in all the way down onto board. I have had just one of the pins come loose even though the plug is all the way down.

also, with machine off unplug stepper from Rambo and check the resistance of the motor coils, you should have 2 pairs with approximately the same resistance.

WARNING! NEVER plug or unplug stepper motor with board powered on, you will likely blow a motor driver chip on the Rambo board.

I turned machine off and pulled the plug to check the voltage, then replaced it (power off). Now it is working. I will take a look at the solders once the current print is done.

Thanks.