Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
Hello,
My Mk3S printer intermittently sends a reset and stops printing when it is printing through the USB cable (Octoprint and PrusaLink). It prints fine from SD card. I have opened two chats with support and cannot figure out the issue. I think support doesn't want to advise me to replace the Einsy or PSU because they are so expensive and I don't think I'm going to make much headway with them anymore.
Troubleshooting steps I have taken:
- Reflashed everything with memory. RPi, Printer
- Everything is up to date (firmware, OctoPrint, etc.)
- Used a different RPi
- Used a different SD card on the RPi
I am inclined to believe it is the Einsy at this point. I have many, many hours of printing on the printer. When I did a reset I lost the hours, but it was in the thousands. I've used it to print for my side business in the past. I wore out the original PSU and a MeanWell PSU and am now back to a Prusa PSU.
If there is a file I can upload, I'll be glad to do it. I've had someone look at my logs on Octoprint.org and the serial log merely said something like "received reset from printer".
Thanks for any help.
Best Answer by Diem:
I assume this happens with diferent models/gcodes.
This doesn't sound like any Einsy fault that I've heard of, nor power supply unless you're seeing sparks ... I would be looking first at the USB connectors and cable (you have tried a different cable? The shorter the better.) and next for noise on your mains power supply or a glitching appliance on the same circuit.
If you have one, plug an *analogue* (AM/FM) radio into the same circuit you will hear power glitching and sometimes even USB glitches are picked up as RF static but that's not common.
Is there anything else that coincides with USB cable use? Might anyone have to lift it out of the way to access something behind, might the cat play with it? OK, that's getting far fetched but you are looking out of the box for any coincidences that might be causal.
Cheerio,
Thanks,
Dave Smith
RE: Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
Can you check if the USB plug has a bit of play in the socket on the Einsy case? Perhaps the wire loom for the print head bumps against the USB cable? If that is the case you can try to secure the USB plug with a bit of hot glue. Or you can print this clamp that attaches the wire loom to the frame and prevents it from touching the USB cable.
I assume this happens with diferent models/gcodes.
This doesn't sound like any Einsy fault that I've heard of, nor power supply unless you're seeing sparks ... I would be looking first at the USB connectors and cable (you have tried a different cable? The shorter the better.) and next for noise on your mains power supply or a glitching appliance on the same circuit.
If you have one, plug an *analogue* (AM/FM) radio into the same circuit you will hear power glitching and sometimes even USB glitches are picked up as RF static but that's not common.
Is there anything else that coincides with USB cable use? Might anyone have to lift it out of the way to access something behind, might the cat play with it? OK, that's getting far fetched but you are looking out of the box for any coincidences that might be causal.
Cheerio,
RE:
I assume this happens with diferent models/gcodes.
This doesn't sound like any Einsy fault that I've heard of, nor power supply unless you're seeing sparks ... I would be looking first at the USB connectors and cable (you have tried a different cable? The shorter the better.) and next for noise on your mains power supply or a glitching appliance on the same circuit.
If you have one, plug an *analogue* (AM/FM) radio into the same circuit you will hear power glitching and sometimes even USB glitches are picked up as RF static but that's not common.
Is there anything else that coincides with USB cable use? Might anyone have to lift it out of the way to access something behind, might the cat play with it? OK, that's getting far fetched but you are looking out of the box for any coincidences that might be causal.
Cheerio,
Holy cow, you appear to have the solution! I've tried multiple USB cables, which I forgot to mention. I don't have a radio to plug in, and I live in a new house with all new electric service and Leviton panel that has all sorts of protections built in. HOWEVER, I had the printer and RPi plugged into a small APC UPS. I removed it from the equation and used a surge protector and just finished a ten hour print with no issues, the first time in days.
Thank you so much. I was about to start throwing money I didn't have at the problem. You are seriously my hero. I wonder if the UPS is sending a positive voltage through the neutral or ground. Either way, it doesn't trip fast enough to stop the OctoPrint from resetting, so It's worthless for the application.
Thanks,
Dave Smith
Ok, UPS synthesize AC waveforms with more or less accuracy, often close to a square wave; which needs heavy filtering for some electronics.
Cheerio,
RE: Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
That's great to know. It doesn't work as a reliable power backup for Octoprint anyway, so I'll just print long prints from the SD card in case the power goes out mid print.
Thanks,
Dave Smith
RE: Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
FWIW. Where I worked, we had some new work trailers with modern Fault Protection breakers and non of our UPS's worked properly on in a couple some of them. We also had issues with motors and tools. Electrician had to change some of the breakers. When I built my workshop, the electrician advised me to avoid them. I only have GFI's where they may get wet. They are good in a house from a safety aspect but some do cause problems.
RE: Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
That is great to know. There is an experimental plug-in for Octoprint that tries to recover a print after a power failure that I may try out. I have learned that some of the plug-ins will cause some bad behavior in Octoprint, so I'll probably hold off until my next large print.
FWIW. Where I worked, we had some new work trailers with modern Fault Protection breakers and non of our UPS's worked properly on in a couple some of them. We also had issues with motors and tools. Electrician had to change some of the breakers. When I built my workshop, the electrician advised me to avoid them. I only have GFI's where they may get wet. They are good in a house from a safety aspect but some do cause problems.
Thanks,
Dave Smith
RE: Prusa Mk3S Resets with OctoPrint and PrusaLink(Hardware Issue, not OctoPrint)
I did some searching and found more information on fault protection circuit breakers. Someone may want it for reference.
UPS and fault detecting circuit breakers
There are different types of Surge Arrest circuit breakers and you may find that in some cases, you will need to change the breaker or the type of breaker for your needs. From a safety point of view, the Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters are a good idea, they do have their issues and we will be seeing more of them in the future as AFCI's are now mandated in many areas.
This says it well.
1. Incompatible Appliances or Devices
If you have older appliances or devices that produce a certain mechanical arc pattern, they might be incompatible with your AFCI breaker. If it’s a well-loved appliance like your grandma’s space heater or you notice the device doesn’t work as well as it used to, it may be time to replace it. Appliances that could trip your breaker include vacuum cleaners, printers, power tools, treadmills, or even fluorescent lights. Most newly engineered devices will work with your arc circuit breaker, but be mindful of older appliances that might trip the breaker.