LCD knob problem
After much troubleshooting, cable wiggling, re-plugging, swapping, etc. it seems I have possibly a bad LCD board, knob, or just bad cables. Is there a way to go through the initial setup/calibration of the printer without the LCD?
To clarify, the LCD and SD Card parts seem to be working fine, I can also select (press) with the knob, but am unable to scroll through any menus. I'd really like to not have a $750 orange and black brick while waiting for a $9 replacement ebay LCD.
Re: LCD knob problem
In theory one could use Pronterface to try and control the printer.
The problem is: i don't know what codes one would send to start the initial calibration process. For that, one would probably have to dig through the firmware source..
Re: LCD knob problem
So I've been plugging in, rotating, and swapping the cables, blew out some debris between the encoder contacts and between solder pads. Now, the encoder/knob finally works but very intermittently, with a new screen flicker problem, and an inconsistent speaker sound when navigating the LCD menu or button press. The response from support, despite what I would assume falls under a warrantied part, is to "check cable orientation". I ordered an LCD myself instead of waiting for Prusa to further respond. I have to admit I'm a little disappointed that i spent $750 on a kit that arrived mostly unusable until I get a replacement part from Ebay. I'm still uncertain if there's a faulty encoder, board, or cable. I'll fumble around with it until it fails again or the new Ebay part arrives.
Re: LCD knob problem
robert.m5 its a rotary encoder. Check all your connections / plugs first. (especially the ribbon cables and plugs/sockets) If no difference You may have a faulty encoder. Cheap to buy and replace on Ebay, but talk to Prusa Research in Live chat for support.
As identified by you with predujice above. Sheesh. 2nd post. Take a step back, and realise that sometimes shit happens, and faults occur. And you built this kit......... If you wanted an out of the box experience perhaps you should have spent a bit more and paid for a prebuilt printer. With kits I always expect some issues, but had none with the MK2 upgrade. I build these things with a soldering iron and potential mods / spare parts needed if necessary, to take on this build is not childs play. I have built 4 different kit 3D printers before, without any issues. Some now passed onto my local Makerspace. I enjoy building them.
Shit does happen sometimes when you buy an expensive product say like a 4K HD TV, its rare, but does happen. To rant is not the way to go about it, step back. You obviously have some knowledge robert.m5
Nigel
Life is keeping interested and excited by knowledge and new things.
Re: LCD knob problem
From your response and my own previous experience, it’s clear that I set my expectations too high. This is my third assembly of a 3D printer kit (all of various origin and quality) and fifth printer setup but it’s the first that arrived and was unusable after initial assembly. I’d seen all around great reviews from a great number of folks and honestly hadn’t planned for a faulty part at the start, I suppose I’ve just been really lucky before. So with my excitement bubble burst after what was an enjoyable build thanks to some excellent thought and effort put into the build instructions, I came to the only places I knew to air my frustration: the forums and the Facebook group. After sleeping it off, I’m feeling a little less salty though no less disappointed. At the very least, maybe someone will see this and reconsider their purchase of a kit and just spend the extra for a full assembly.
Also, to use your analogy I didn't rant when I found out the TV didn't work. I went through the troubleshooting, community, and the customer service first and was told "shit happens" and "try turning the plug around". It was then that the "rant" came.
Re: LCD knob problem
I have found that the rotary dial on the panel is seeming to get less responsive or more erratic with time. Maybe this is a bit of a weak link?
I wonder how we could improve this?
Re: LCD knob problem
The panel looked identical to what's on my Geeetech, so my uninformed guess is that they're sourced from similar places. Perhaps there's an alternate LCD+encoder solution that is more durable. As I understand it the cables are also a weak link being prone to interference and leading to the occasional garbled display. I know there's support in Marlin for a variety of LCD's so I may have to dig around and see how they compare.
Re: LCD knob problem
robert.m5 I agree with you. After building a kit it is a great disappointment if there is a faulty part. I apologise, for my reply above, in next day review it came across as arrogant. Sorry.
Nigel
Life is keeping interested and excited by knowledge and new things.
Re: LCD knob problem
I had the same issue; I checked cables, swapped them, etc for days and finally ask for a replacement part. When it came, and I installed it, I had the same issue. After more troubleshooting I finally discovered that despite my best efforts I had one of the cables a line of pins off of getting all of the pins; both LCD screens work. 😳 😳 😳
Something to check =] Fair warning, you can't really calibrate or set z-height without the LCD and I broke my head twice (had to reprint the part on another printer each time) trying. =]
-- Richard Printing with: Lulzbot taz 5 (heavily modified), Original Prusa I3 mk2, and Monoprice MP Select Mini
Models: http://www.thingiverse.com/taxilian
Re: LCD knob problem
Im so glad I found this post! Was kind of frustrated about my knob not working (no pun intended). I also had skewed the innermost LCD-kable. The thing is, it is really easy to think that after placing down the first kable, pushing the next in up against it is the way to go. It's NOT! If you have this problem, check the wire with 2 lines on it!