I have triple checked that the CNC shield is connected to the Arduino in the correct pins, and have both the USB and a 9 Volt battery running to the Arduino and power coming from the eTopxizu power supply to the CNC Shield. I've used a multimeter to confirm that the shield is getting 12V and that the stepper drivers are set just below the max VREF, with heat sinks installed.
From the other forums I've read, I believe the motors aren't getting power as I am not getting any sort of hum from them. I've also tried uploading the Simple Stepper Code just to see nothing move.
My only thought is that maybe my stepper drivers aren't powerful enough for the larger motors I bought separately. However, I also hooked up the motor that came with the kit (rated at 0.4 amps) and also didn't hear any hum.
I think on an unrelated note, following the instructions on Zyltech.com, I'm not sure if GRBL flashed to my Arduino correctly. I followed the instructions but when I open up the serial monitor in the Arduino IDE, all I get are backwards question marks and the occasional letter, and from what I read, I thought it should be showing me the GRBL version number. I'm operating on OS X if that helps.
You can definitely move those motors with an A4988. Set the current lower than 1.7A though, the A4988
would be over-stressed at that current level. Try 1.2A to start with.
Have you probed everything with a multimeter to check everythings getting ground and power?
I'm not sure what grounds I would need to connect... I have a ground wire to my power supply and the wires coming from the stepper motors are all pinned into the CNC Shield. Do I need a ground between the shield and power supply?
The code is still just the grblUpload.
The 9V Battery was just something I tried thinking maybe the Arduino wasn't getting enough power? It was hooked up via USB to the computer the whole time.
However changing the baud speed seems to have gotten me one step further? I cycled through them and finally found that at 115200 baud it did list the Grbl Version instead of just giving me backwards question marks. But now, when I put in G1 X25? as instructed by the zyltech instructions (Arduino Compatible CNC Shield Instructions), I receive this:
I mean check that everything is getting the right voltage between power and ground really - everything
is powered up. I presume that shield has a common ground.
Check each plugged-in A4988 is getting its supply on the relevant pins too (careful not to short anything
when probing).
Usually in a case like this there is one little detail wrong - so you have to be systematic, assume nothing,
check everything.
/***********************************************************************
This sketch compiles and uploads Grbl to your 328p-based Arduino!
To use:
- First make sure you have imported Grbl source code into your Arduino
IDE. There are details on our Github website on how to do this.
- Select your Arduino Board and Serial Port in the Tools drop-down menu.
NOTE: Grbl only officially supports 328p-based Arduinos, like the Uno.
Using other boards will likely not work!
- Then just click 'Upload'. That's it!
For advanced users:
If you'd like to see what else Grbl can do, there are some additional
options for customization and features you can enable or disable.
Navigate your file system to where the Arduino IDE has stored the Grbl
source code files, open the 'config.h' file in your favorite text
editor. Inside are dozens of feature descriptions and #defines. Simply
comment or uncomment the #defines or alter their assigned values, save
your changes, and then click 'Upload' here.
Copyright (c) 2015 Sungeun K. Jeon
Released under the MIT-license. See license.txt for details.
***********************************************************************/
#include <grbl.h>
// Do not alter this file!
So I checked the pins (learning a lot here) and have power to the VDC pin, but not to the VMOT pin... Is it possible I fried my A4988s by having them hooked to power without a stepper motor plugged in?
westpaw3:
So I checked the pins (learning a lot here) and have power to the VDC pin, but not to the VMOT pin... Is it possible I fried my A4988s by having them hooked to power without a stepper motor plugged in?
You need to post a wiring diagram so we can make understand that.
So I checked the pins (learning a lot here) and have power to the VDC pin, but not to the VMOT pin... Is it possible I fried my A4988s by having them hooked to power without a stepper motor plugged in?
