New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
Hi all,
I just finished my new Prusa kit. Went through the instructions and was as thorough and steady as I could be. Didn't skip any steps and read all the text.
Finished the build and checked the PSU cabling was right and the the filament sensor were connected appropriately.
- Plugged it in.
- Turned it on.
- NOTHING.
Nothing on screen / No movement or fans. Fortunately, no smoke or bad smells.
Pulled the printed cover off the PSU connectors and the yellow LED is on, so the PSU thinks it it ok.
Checked all the wiring over to see if I knocked anything off while finishing it off and it looks ok.
It seems that "nothing happening at all" should be something basic. Doesn't mean there aren't any more issues waiting for me, but "Nothing" seems like it can't even start looking for the first step, rather than being the first step.
The adult I am wants to fix it. The 12 YO boy that persists in me wants it to fix itself while he sits in a chair and eats more Haribo. 🙂
Any ideas on where it start??
If not - I'll work backwards through the build manual until something doesn't look right.
Thanks,
Chris.
Best Answer by Diem:
It's probably a wiring issue as you guessed. Make sure all the cables/plugs are in the right sockets and firmly seated.
If you have a multimeter check there is current reaching the obvious places. And check the fuses for continuity.
Cheerio,
It's probably a wiring issue as you guessed. Make sure all the cables/plugs are in the right sockets and firmly seated.
If you have a multimeter check there is current reaching the obvious places. And check the fuses for continuity.
Cheerio,
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
I don’t have a specs of the PSU or Einsy with me, so this is generic advice.. I think the PSU provides 5v and 24v (don’t think it is 48v).. Get a Volt meter and measure the output voltages of the PSU.. (the 5v and 24v). So measure between the 5v and ground and the 24v and ground.. at the terminals of the PSU. This will tell you if the 120v is getting ‘processed’ by the PSU and converted to the voltages needed to run the motors ad Einsy board.
If you get nothing on one of the output voltages, disconnect all the wires on the output voltages and check again. Sometimes a wire might be shorted and is shutting down the PSU..
That is at least a start. It could be that one wire is shorted and a fuse went.. Again.. I haven’t looked inside to know what type of fuse is there.. but if the fuse is removeable you can measure the resistance of the fuse to see if it is near zero.
If you are not comfortable with the measurements, find a friend who has done them and get him to show you.. they are pretty basic and you’ll need to do it again if something goes wrong.
It sounds like there is one simple issue..
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
As expected, It was all me....
The two ribbons from the control panel to the board were swapped. The black texter mark in the cable with 1 line had blurred somewhat and, from one side, it could quite easily have been 2 lines. Put them the right way around and all came good. Sailed through the self test and all I need to do now is get the first layer settings right.
That's my next job. once the visitors have gone!
Thanks heaps for giving me your time in thinking about this.
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
If you haven’t 3d printed before.. the correct Z height is tougher than it looks. Do some research and read some old forum posts to look at typical problems and pictures of good Z’s.
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
If you haven’t 3d printed before.. the correct Z height is tougher than it looks. Do some research and read some old forum posts to look at typical problems and pictures of good Z’s.
Yep - I think you are spot on.
If I can get the print to start, it looks pretty good when it is done...
Having done 7 prints, I need LOTS of glue stick and need to pause the print job every now and again to add more (as the print job gets taller).
I'll get there... 🙂
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
Glue stick is actually a release agent, not an adhesion enhancer. The glue stick is used with PETG and others so the filament won’t bond too much with the PEI smooth sheet. It provides a layer that will separate with the part and not damage the sheet. Otherwise bits of PEI can lift. You don’t need it with PLA. In your slicer you can adjust the first layer bed and nozzle temps for the filament to give you better adhesion. A good Z will ensure your adhesion is also good. If the surface area of your part is small, use a brim to give it more support on the bed. You don’t need glue stick with PETG and a rough sheet.. (nor satin, I think.. but I don’t have satin). Glue stick as a release agent should be used in very thin layers.. one pass, let it dry to dull finish then print. Several also use Windex instead.. there has been a recent thread on this and PETG on smooth sheet you can read.
If you haven’t 3d printed before.. the correct Z height is tougher than it looks. Do some research and read some old forum posts to look at typical problems and pictures of good Z’s.
Yep - I think you are spot on.
If I can get the print to start, it looks pretty good when it is done...
Having done 7 prints, I need LOTS of glue stick and need to pause the print job every now and again to add more (as the print job gets taller).I'll get there... 🙂
RE: New 3S kit build. Nothing on screen / No movement or fans - What have I done (or not done?)
Re: "Glue stick is actually a release agent, not an adhesion enhancer." - Thanks for this - That's what I read elsewhere. BUT...
I put the glue on and a benchy printed. I tried 3 times tonight without glue and it behaved the same as yesterday - the print nozzle just dragged the first layer around, once the first layer was (nearly) complete.
Just tried with the glue again and I have another benchy??
I don't understand it and maybe I don't need to.
I think you had it right when you said "A good Z will ensure your adhesion is also good". I can learn from that.
I'll save the glue, save a bunch of wasted filament and work out how to get the first layer right and try again.
Thanks again!