Pronterface random disconnect

[Jim]

I just turned on my MakerGear Prusa on for the first time in a couple of months and Pronterface gives me random disconnects.  After it disconnects, I can't get Pronterface to reconnect unless I unplug and replug in the USB cable.  Has anyone seen this before?  Thanks in advance.

[Todd Sampson]

I've seen issues like this a bunch of times.  The causes have ranged from bad software/firmware releases to bad (or super-cheap) USB hubs; and even insufficient power to the Prusa's electronics.  I would start by upgrading/downgrading the software and firmware first.  Then try going direct to the Prusa from the computer with a good USB cable.

While it isn't cheap, we put all of our printers on beefy UPSs.  It had a pretty big impact on issues overall.  Our failure rates dropped to near zero.

- Todd

Todd Sampson

http://toddsampson.com

On May 22, 2013, at 3:33 PM, Jim <cellularre...@gmail.com> wrote:

I just turned on my MakerGear Prusa on for the first time in a couple of months and Pronterface gives me random disconnects.  After it disconnects, I can't get Pronterface to reconnect unless I unplug and replug in the USB cable.  Has anyone seen this before?  Thanks in advance.

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[Jim]

Thanks for the suggestions, Todd.

The firmware has not changed but I can certainly reload it.  I guess I can also reinstall Pronterface and see if that helps.  The USB cable is going directly into my computer so there's no issue with a bad/cheap USB hub.  The cable is a high quality USB cable that I only use on the Prusa so it has low mileage.  Hopefully that's not the issue.

[Jim]

I reloaded the firmware and haven't seen any random disconnects today.  I guess the firmware must've gotten corrupted because I haven't powered on the printer for a few months?  odd...

Thanks again Todd.

Jim

[Jim]

So I'm still getting these random disconnects in pronterface.  So far, I've done the following:

Reinstalled Arduino driver

Reinstalled Pronterface

Reloaded the firmware

Changed USB cable

What am I missing here?

Jim

[Jim]

It's been suggested that the problem might be caused by AC power fluctuation (brownouts).  I will try to move my setup to a different location and see if the problem goes away.  The challenge is that the problem is intermittent.  :(

On Monday, June 10, 2013 5:01:14 AM UTC-7, Eduardo Baroni wrote:

I am having the same issue with my reprap. It stops randomly in the middle of the print or the head moves out of the heatbed at some point of the print. In both cases the printer is disconnected from pronterface.

[Ken Snyder]

I was having a similar problem with AC fluctuation.  I got a $30 UPS from Fry's and plugged the printer and computer into it.  Solved the problem.

Ken