E0 working but E1 won't move

Hi everyone!

I recently upgraded my printer for dual extrusion.

First I was experiencing a error compiling Marlin firmware after setting the following value in configuration.h:

#define EXTRUDERS 2

I made sure to update to version Marlin-1.1.0-RC2 which then compiles fine with the above setting. I am using the EEB config. Both hotends are working as intended (heating + temperature readout).

But when I want to extrude some filament only the extruder E0 is working. E1 won't move at all.

To verify my wiring and drivers I swapped my stepper motors. Again only E0 will work and E1 won't move.
After that I swapped drivers. Again only the stepper connected to E0 will move. E1 won't flinch.


I checked the pin assignment in pins_RAMPS_13.h for E0 and E1 and it seems right.


I am pretty clueless right now
Has anyone experienced the same issue? Any more tips for troubleshooting?

how are you testing this?

you do know about the tool gcode command?

ie in most firmwares they is always only x,y,z and e axis

The T command switches which tool is currently on axis e

Ie send a T1 to the printer then extrude and it should start extruding from e1 then T0 switches E back to e0

In pronterface you can also define the number of extruder in "options/settings" then you have a switchbox to chose which extruder is on duty.

Sorry I forgot to mention it! In order to rule out any error with the control software I am sending raw G code via Octoprint's terminal to the Arduino MEGA board.

I am using this code:

; Wait for both hotends to reach target temperature
T0
M109 S190
T1
M109 S190

; Test extrude on E0
T0       ; Activate E0
G91      ; Switch to relative positioning
G1 E5    ; Extrude 5mm
G90      ; Switch back to relative positioning


; Test extrude on E1
T1       ; Activate E1
G91      ; Switch to relative positioning
G1 E5    ; Extrude 5mm
G90      ; Switch back to relative positioning

Just a shot in the dark, but try to add a Fxxxx speed parameter to the G1 E5 line....Maybe there is no default speed definition for the E1 extruder?
-Olaf

Thanks Olaf for helping me out there!

Unfortunately providing a feedrate did not change anything
Still no movement on E1 axis.

I triple checked my wiring and microsteps jumpers and can't find anything there. I will try to set the pin manually using a simple Arduino sketch and see if the digital ports and PCB are ok.

UPDATE

I removed the RAMPS board and traced all pins to the Arduino => Everything OK
I wrote a sketch for the Arduino and set the digital pins HIGH and LOW manually => Everything OK
At this point I pretty much ruled any hardware fault. Frustrated I downloaded the Repetier firmware 0.92 => Everything OK


It seems that Marlin-1.1.0-RC2 or my configuration of Marlin has an issue when driving two extruders.
I couldn't be bothered to investigate further what's causing the problems. I just want to leave this piece of information here for others having the same problem.

why do inexperienced people keep trying to run the RC (release candidate) version of marlin... vs the stable released version....

I got compilation errors when I tried setting EXTRUDERS to 2 when using my original Marlin firmware (something a bit older than 1.0.1).
Others suggested using one of the latest releases. In my case I thought to give RC2 a try.

Probably the error is introduced by splitting of pins.h into all the separate variants now.
Isn't testing of new RCs necessary for their success? I mean if nobody would find bugs how would a RC become a stable version?