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TMC2100 stepper drivers potentiometer setting

Hi!

Did anybody already do the math for the reference voltage setting of the TMC2100 stepper drivers?

The instructions tell to turn the poti of the drivers to a specific location but since tiny turns already change the settings a lot I would like to eliminate a faulty setup on my side because the Y-axis sometimes isn't able to move the print head...

13 comments

13 Comments

Makertech 3D

May 22, 2019

@esmith13 @Gavin Rea If you haven't already, try adjust your TMC2100's trimpot, it could be sending too much current through the driver causing it to shut down to protect itself. If you have access to a multi-meter you can check the vref as outlined above. Other wise you may need a replacement driver.

esmith13

May 22, 2019

Replying to

@fg If I were to upgrade are the voltage settings and methods the same? Also, what would need to be done with the 4 pins on the topside and the wire jumpers that come with it?

May 22, 2019

Replying to

@esmith13 there is lots of detailed description out there on how to setup TMC2130 stepper drivers and also on how to use the SPI mode (the four pins are used for that): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUadiW5QLBE

I didn't make this upgrade (just replaced the Z axis driver with TMC2100 as well) but the voltage settings should be the same as for the TMC2100. The cool thing is that you are able to set the reference voltage through SPI/software directly so there is no need to fiddle around with tiny potentiometers. It has really cool features and if I became better with 3D printing I will definitely switch to this setup as well!

Makertech 3D

May 23, 2019

Replying to

@esmith13 It sounds like your driver might be broken, we'll get a replacement sent out asap.

esmith13

May 17, 2019

@Makertech, I am having a similar issue. My Y-Axis moves smoothly with one finger but when I try to perform the Y-Axis movement it moves once then won't move again unless I power off and on. If I give the Y-Axis home command it will move all the way across the gantry and home perfectly fine - but then never move again unless i power off and then back on. Any ideas?

Gavin Rea

May 19, 2019

Replying to

I have the same issue as esmith13. I've made sure both the belt and the rollers on the y axis are loose and there is no rubbing. When I power on I can move the Y axis a single increment but then it is unresponsive. I've checked the wiring several times. Could it be software related?

Makertech 3D

Apr 17, 2019

For the X axis (platform) you can set it between 0.95-1.05v and for the Y-axis (hotend) you can get away with less, between 0.6-0.7v. If your Y-axis is struggling, check you don't have any resistance on the axis when powered off and moving it by hand.

Apr 17, 2019

Replying to

Thank you! I will try that as soon as I receive the replacement/missing parts. Indeed I get lots if resistance on this axis About every 10 cm it is really stuck in place and I need more force to move it...

Makertech 3D

Apr 24, 2019

Replying to

@fg It sounds like it might be an issue with the roller wheels being on too tight, have you tried loosening them a little. Also the tool carriage, where the Y-belt connects to might be rubbing against the extrusion beam, if that's the case you may need to use a pair of pliers to bend it so its straight.