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Blackbox z Limits stuck on?

Discussion in 'Controller Boards' started by ScottMF, Jul 23, 2020.

  1. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    so. just turned on my cnc for the first time in a few months. Control is showing the Z axis limit is always triggered. i thought i may have a short so i pulled the wiring out of the Blackbox for the z limit switch completely and it doesnt go away. Am i missing something stupid here??
     
  2. Alex Chambers

    Alex Chambers Master
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    Are your limit switches normally open or normally closed?
    Alex.
     
  3. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    ha, i had to go remind myself, but they are normally open. which case, if i unplug the z limit cable from black box all together (if a switch is bad) i should see a change in the z limit status (in the Control trouble shooting page) no?
     
  4. Christian James

    Christian James Journeyman
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    If the Z switch is normally open, removing the plug from the controller doesn't change the state unless the Z switch is already closed.
     
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  5. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    I should see a change though if i pull the plug on the zlimit and manually short it out at the board ruling out a switch or wiring fault then. which it is constantly showing the limit is triggered regardless.

    X and Y limits function fine, just the Z is stuck in the triggered position. i tried inverting the limits in grbl just to see if anything happened and no.

    im wondering if its that something is jacked with my blackbox? hoping not. :( or is there a 'master reset' i can do that might solve this?
     
  6. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Probably a wiring short or broken switch. Unplug and see - a quick test to see the way forward
     
  7. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    right now i have the zlimit switches completely out of the equation.

    I just have the connector with 2 short wires connected so i could just touch em together to trigger the change and see Control would show change on the troubleshooting page.
     
  8. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Cool so controller is fine. Maybe a hard bump into switch damaged it at some point.
     
  9. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    i'm sorry, after re-reading my post i should have said:

    "I just have the connector with 2 short wires connected so i could just touch em together to ATTEMPT TO trigger the change and see IF Control would show any change on the troubleshooting page."

    which it does not. i can not get rid of Z Limit: ON no matter what i do. whether the switches are connected and manually triggered, or if its just got a small pigtail coming out and i just touch em together.

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    With them NOT touching it should be green
     
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  11. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    Right, its always red.
     
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  12. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Weird one. Any aluminum machining lately (chip landed inside the BlackBox?) check for shorts around the connector on the BlackBox. From the connector it goes through a protection diode and then an RC noise filter before getting to the Microcontroller, nothing much in between that could go wrong
     
  13. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    negative, i've never had anything but wood on it, the controller is mounted to the underside of the table so to keep anything from falling on/in/around it.

    i assume that is this portion of the board? i guess i'll pull it down and see if anything looks awry inside at this point.
    upload_2020-7-26_9-27-59.png
     
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  14. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    ok, so get this, i pop the cover off to just take a look in there and all of a sudden, the z limits green. i dont get it, but it seems to have fixed itself.

    i dont get it, its not like the thing is all dusty inside or anthing. but.. halleluiah i guess. LOL
     
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  15. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Lucky indeed! Might have been a spec of dust or something sitting in just the wrong spot. Glad it going again! Happy machining
     
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  16. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    interestingly enough, i just had it happen again and it seemed that restarting the Control software fixed it. not sure why only the Z limit was affected. but what ever i guess.
     
  17. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Will check the pin-check code for you, see if there is a bug. But havent had other reports about that yet.
     
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  18. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    eh, with my typical luck its probably just me. LOL
     
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  19. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    ok, so it seems im not out of the weeds yet with this issue. the Z limit is stuck on once again and is not going away after a software restart like previous

    i've disassembled the controller and inspected for any debris etc inside of it, nothing but some dust, which i blew out and reassembled and it has not solved anything.

    the only way i have been able to use my machine is with the limit switches disabled which honestly i am not super hot on because, A, part of the reason i build this larger machine was to include limit switches etc and B, the project i ran completed and then the machine slammed itself back into the corner, fortunately i was there to hit the E Stop to stop from futher damage.

    im beginning to think that maybe there IS something up with the controller!?!?
     
  20. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  21. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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  22. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    i will check in with the contact us form.

    i admit, i am not using the xtension switches. how ever i've used the machine with my switches error free for some time.

    i did however order an xtension switch for the z the other day, granted i dont know if that would clear up the issue at this point.
     
  23. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    It is worth a test. It has extra pull ups etc. What switches were you using?
     
  24. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    just basic roller style lever switches like the xtensions have on them.
     
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  25. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    update: installed the xtension switch on the Z axis and no change unfortunately. :|
     
  26. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Have you had word from the store yet (check spam folder too)
    if not, do a follow up please so they can get you a new one out shortly :)
     
  27. ScottMF

    ScottMF New
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    yeah i heard back from them the other day, i reported back to them this morning with the new info after the xtension switch installed.
     
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  28. Peter Van Der Walt

    Peter Van Der Walt OpenBuilds Team
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    Then I am sure they will get back to you shortly and sort you out :)
     

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