Z axis wont move down

Hey everyone. I built a prusa i3 with marlin firmware (probably set incorrectly). The issue im having is that when using pronterface to try and move any axis, not every click results in a movement. But more worryingly is that I cant get the Z axis to move down at all. Both the Z+ and Z- buttons result in the Z axis moving upwards!

Thanks for the help

The default behaviour when homing the Z axis is to move up by a small amount, then move down until the end stop is triggered. If the firmware thinks the end stop is already triggered, it will move up but not down.

Check your wiring and send M119 to the printer. It will tell you the current state of the end stops. If your wiring is OK, you may have to change it so the end stop is normally closed or invert the behaviour in your firmware. End stops should normally be closed so that no damage is done if they are disconnected.

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Check your wires again. There is a small possibility that your motherboard is fault so plug your x or y axis into z axis socket and see how it moves. Also remember that z has two motors so it need double voltage, dont burn anything.

If you're trying to move downwards without first homing, it won't happen. On power up, the firmware assumes it is at z=0, and it won't go below this point. Home it first with G28, then you should be able to go in both directions. Of course you still can't go below 0

edit: I just read the part about both buttons moving upwards. I've never seen that before.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2014 01:05PM by jbernardis.