How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

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Swami
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:17 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

Post by Swami » Tue Jan 16, 2018 6:43 am

QUESTIONS:
- Possible causes of false indicator lights?
- And, most importantly, how to fix!?:)...

- PRINTER:
MakerGear M2 (pre-2015).
(PSU 24V, V3b hotend, silver z-axis motor, RAMBo rev. 1.2d.)

- ARDUINO:
1.8.5 (latest).

- MARLIN:
1.1.8 (latest).

- FYI, MakerGear only supports Arduino 1.5.5 Beta/Marlin 1.0.2. I got that working, but wanted other features only available on more recent versions of Marlin (like scrolling of long filenames, "babystepping" of z-axis motor on-the-fly, etc.).
- Actually got things working on the latest Arduino/Marlin... sorta/mostly:) BUT...
- Indicator lights (hot bed, extruder, fans) are not reading correcting. Machine is functioning as commanded, but lights are incorrect:(

So, things are improved:) And there are more possibilities, like LED support, etc. And the essentials are functioning - just need to get those pesky lights to pay better attention:)...

TIA.

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Swami
Posts: 19
Joined: Sun Dec 03, 2017 11:17 pm
Location: Orlando, FL

Re: How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

Post by Swami » Tue Jan 16, 2018 9:32 pm

UPDATE:
- On startup, all lights are on (except 'SD'), but simply adjusting Control>Temperature>Nozzle, or >Bed, or >Fan speed # turns off ALL lights (as they should be).
- Incidentally, the fans (electronics, coldend) do not come on at startup as they do using the original combo (1.5.5 Beta/Marlin 1.0.2). Hm?

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Swami
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Location: Orlando, FL

Re: How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

Post by Swami » Sat Jan 20, 2018 8:50 am

UPDATE: So, found a partial workaround to indicator lights prob. In fact, addressed two issues w/ one "fix". With the MG-supported firmware, the electronics and coldend fans turn on at startup. (FYI, they're in series, so come on as a pair.) Using the newer firmware though, the fans do not come on. So, I created a simple 'auto0.g' file and put it in the root of the SD card... and voilá, fans come on, AND indicator lights "fix" themselves. Still have to do some more testing, but so far, so good. That said, would still be nice to identify the source of the issue, and find a more "elegant" solution. But for now, I guess I can be happy:)

FYI, I'm REALLY loving the added features in the new firmware. Among them, one I like is the 'Custom Menu' feature. I've added some nozzle moves to aid in bed leveling: move over adjustment screws on the spider (3 of them). Wanted to also set moves to all four corners, but apparently, only 5 menu items are supported. Perhaps I'll hack in to the code and bump up that number:)... BTW, as some here may know, Simplify3D has a nice 'Bed Leveling Wizard', but not everybody has S3D, and the printer I'm working on is one my friend wants to sell, so this Custom Menu addition is desirable. Hm, does Pronterface have a bed leveling aid?

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Swami
Posts: 19
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Location: Orlando, FL

Re: How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

Post by Swami » Sat Jan 20, 2018 7:40 pm

ultralcd.cpp has been hacked!:) TEN CUSTOM_USER_MENUS. Not sure if there's a limit, but I can make the list arbitrarily long.

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insta
Posts: 2007
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2014 3:59 am

Re: How to fix false indicator lights on Viki 1?...

Post by insta » Mon Jan 22, 2018 5:14 pm

Swami wrote:UPDATE: So, found a partial workaround to indicator lights prob. In fact, addressed two issues w/ one "fix". With the MG-supported firmware, the electronics and coldend fans turn on at startup. (FYI, they're in series, so come on as a pair.) Using the newer firmware though, the fans do not come on. So, I created a simple 'auto0.g' file and put it in the root of the SD card... and voilá, fans come on, AND indicator lights "fix" themselves. Still have to do some more testing, but so far, so good. That said, would still be nice to identify the source of the issue, and find a more "elegant" solution. But for now, I guess I can be happy:)

FYI, I'm REALLY loving the added features in the new firmware. Among them, one I like is the 'Custom Menu' feature. I've added some nozzle moves to aid in bed leveling: move over adjustment screws on the spider (3 of them). Wanted to also set moves to all four corners, but apparently, only 5 menu items are supported. Perhaps I'll hack in to the code and bump up that number:)... BTW, as some here may know, Simplify3D has a nice 'Bed Leveling Wizard', but not everybody has S3D, and the printer I'm working on is one my friend wants to sell, so this Custom Menu addition is desirable. Hm, does Pronterface have a bed leveling aid?
I've "solved" the fan problem with:

* 1.1.8 firmware
* AUTO_E1_FAN enabled. This is sent to the FAN1 wire. I cut the series connector out and sent the full 24v to the fan. MG's 40mm fans are now 24v, or you can buy cheap knockoffs all over eBay and pin them yourself. I do the latter, because stock or aftermarket, the bearings shake apart after a few hundred hours of printing.
* While I'm not running an electronics fan right now, I am going to add it when I add the runout sensors. I'll use the FAN2 header (located on the board between FAN1 and HEATBED). It uses a 2-pin Dupont connector. I'll use the CONTROLLER_FAN options for that.
Custom 3D printing for you or your business -- quote [at] pingring.org

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