I just finished my 1st my focuser pro2, but I’m having a very odd issue. If I selected +500 steps, let’s say the motor runs clockwise, if I added another +500, the motor start rotating COUNTER clockwise... sometimes it moves clockwise as expected, but afyer several +500's it will eventauly turn the wrong direction. i have noticed also that aometimes it reverae DURING the rotation.
I tried FW 303 & 304 but didn’t make any difference. Also tried the full step and 1/32 steps without success.
I’m using the nema17 with gearbox 0.4A and the voltage output is about 0.18v
Any advise would be appreciated
Thank you
Mohamed
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Hi Mohamed
i do not know what firmware you are using, yes, 304, but what for? What is the name of the driver file?
The test programs included in the zip file will be your first stop.
Find the test program for your driver board/stepper and then try that - it should rotate one way then another.
That test program checks that all the wiring is okay and the motor is capable of being driven.
if the test program reveals the same behavoiur that points to a wiring issue. There could be a loose wire or some stepper wires (arduino to driver board) and driver board to stepper connected to the wrong pins.
Thank you for your response. I'm using a printed PCB (no many wiring) with Arduino Nano and DRV8825. I was using t directly with the test program.
I have attached some picture and a video showing exactly what I'm facing. In the video, I was pressing -500 steps repeatdly, and the motor reverse its direction with every command.
I see you are using the windows app to do that.
Can you please do following test
start windows app, enable logging
connect to controller
click +100, wait till move ends
click +100, wait till move ends
click +100, wait till move ends
Click -100, wait till move ends
disconnect
send me the log file.
I would also recommend looking at the DIR pin of the DRV8825 - look on the underside and see if its soldered correctly, or touching another nearby pin. Then trace that DIR pin back to Nano
D3 (from memory?) again check the soldering on the underside of the board - maybe the solder joint is not good enough ot touching some other pin too.
This connection D3-DIR is what controls the direction of the stepper motor. If there is a break or short then the motor direction will be all over the place.
The DIR pin goes 5V for oneway and GND or 0V for the other way.
When inspecting the solder connections use a big magnifying glass so you can easily see if there is an issue.
And lastly
If you made any changes at all to the firmware code (that means changing or replacing lines of code) I suggest using the firmware as provided. I say that because its happened more times that I care to remember -
Changing focuserconfig in terms of enabling an option is fine. Just dont enable something that is not fitted to the board.
If you would like to refer to this comment somewhere else in this project, copy and paste the following link:
Thank you for your response. I've attached the required log file, but today, Something went wrong and the nano IC itself burned out. Yes, I can see a hole in the IC!! I must have done something wrong when I double checked soldering :(
I will give a try for the UNO based focersers. I ordered an Adafruit shield and L293D motor shield and will give a try tomorrow. If both works, I shall go with the L293D as it is cheaper.
All what i need is focuser control remotely, no buttons, no screens, no sensors, just basic remote focuser.
PS: This PCB is the 2nd one i did. The 1st one I is working fine but i tested it only 1 time. I hope the UNO based will solve the hardware issue...
Hello
I just finished my 1st my focuser pro2, but I’m having a very odd issue. If I selected +500 steps, let’s say the motor runs clockwise, if I added another +500, the motor start rotating COUNTER clockwise... sometimes it moves clockwise as expected, but afyer several +500's it will eventauly turn the wrong direction. i have noticed also that aometimes it reverae DURING the rotation.
I tried FW 303 & 304 but didn’t make any difference. Also tried the full step and 1/32 steps without success.
I’m using the nema17 with gearbox 0.4A and the voltage output is about 0.18v
Any advise would be appreciated
Thank you
Mohamed
Hi Mohamed
i do not know what firmware you are using, yes, 304, but what for? What is the name of the driver file?
The test programs included in the zip file will be your first stop.
Find the test program for your driver board/stepper and then try that - it should rotate one way then another.
That test program checks that all the wiring is okay and the motor is capable of being driven.
if the test program reveals the same behavoiur that points to a wiring issue. There could be a loose wire or some stepper wires (arduino to driver board) and driver board to stepper connected to the wrong pins.
That is about all I can say without knowing more.
I never go by voltage - i adjust by hand - see here
https://www.dropbox.com/s/ks3cwabbg2cxcou/Stepper%20Motor%20Issues-01.mp4?dl=0
Regards
Robert
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your response. I'm using a printed PCB (no many wiring) with Arduino Nano and DRV8825. I was using t directly with the test program.
I have attached some picture and a video showing exactly what I'm facing. In the video, I was pressing -500 steps repeatdly, and the motor reverse its direction with every command.
Hope that will help solving the problem...
Thank you
Mohamed.
I see you are using the windows app to do that.
Can you please do following test
start windows app, enable logging
connect to controller
click +100, wait till move ends
click +100, wait till move ends
click +100, wait till move ends
Click -100, wait till move ends
disconnect
send me the log file.
I would also point you to the troubleshooting pdf - https://sourceforge.net/projects/arduinoascomfocuserpro2diy/files/Documentation/myFocuserPro2FAQ.pdf/download
I would also recommend looking at the DIR pin of the DRV8825 - look on the underside and see if its soldered correctly, or touching another nearby pin. Then trace that DIR pin back to Nano
D3 (from memory?) again check the soldering on the underside of the board - maybe the solder joint is not good enough ot touching some other pin too.
This connection D3-DIR is what controls the direction of the stepper motor. If there is a break or short then the motor direction will be all over the place.
The DIR pin goes 5V for oneway and GND or 0V for the other way.
When inspecting the solder connections use a big magnifying glass so you can easily see if there is an issue.
And lastly
If you made any changes at all to the firmware code (that means changing or replacing lines of code) I suggest using the firmware as provided. I say that because its happened more times that I care to remember -
Changing focuserconfig in terms of enabling an option is fine. Just dont enable something that is not fitted to the board.
Hi Robert,
Thank you for your response. I've attached the required log file, but today, Something went wrong and the nano IC itself burned out. Yes, I can see a hole in the IC!! I must have done something wrong when I double checked soldering :(
I will give a try for the UNO based focersers. I ordered an Adafruit shield and L293D motor shield and will give a try tomorrow. If both works, I shall go with the L293D as it is cheaper.
All what i need is focuser control remotely, no buttons, no screens, no sensors, just basic remote focuser.
PS: This PCB is the 2nd one i did. The 1st one I is working fine but i tested it only 1 time. I hope the UNO based will solve the hardware issue...
Hi
The log file looks good. Nothing out of the ordinary. Firmware and application all fine.
It comes down to a hardware issue or wiring issue.
regards
Robert