Replacing the sensor with a BLTouch

[AgentTDM]

Is there any way possible to modify the firmware of a Printrbot Simple Metal to where its board (Mine is a Rev F4) can use a BLTouch? If it's just a case of the board not being able to supply enough power, I can always power the sensor using one of the 5v wires on my ATX supply. I added a BLTouch to one of my other printers a while back and it has done very well.

[cbxbiker61]

For the most part there really isn't a good reason to go from the inductive sensor to the BLTouch. If your inductive isn't working properly, fix it. The BLTouch isn't without it's own set of problems.

[AgentTDM]

For the most part there really isn't a good reason to go from the inductive sensor to the BLTouch. If your inductive isn't working properly, fix it. The BLTouch isn't without it's own set of problems.

I'm well aware of what the BLTouch is and what kinds of problems that it has. However, there is actually a good reason, especially if you decide to use glass. And I asked whether it was possible or not for the board..not whether you preferred it or not.

[cbxbiker61]

Anything is possible with the board...it does have an expansion bus. Best of luck hacking the firmware.

[AgentTDM]

Anything is possible with the board...it does have an expansion bus. Best of luck hacking the firmware.

Do you mean the sections labled "EXP1" and "EXP2" on the board?

[TutherJay]

Well, I see this is growing stale, but I _WAS_ rather hoping to find more activity on this, as I just got one for my old Plus (which didn't come with a sensor in the first place, as yours did). So in my case I also have a plenty good reason, I believe, to wax brave and hopeful.

Apparently nobody else has anything to offer, but I am curious if you've found a way to insert tab B into slot A, as they say??? Or are you still interested, or did you move in another direction??

Tweaking Marlin shouldn't be that tough, I wouldn't think, but perhaps that's optomistic. It's certainly not an unexplored, undocumented, stab in the dark as some seem to believe! At least it's not obfuscated by a serious language barrier, as with the BLTouch documentation, eh?

Hope you've mastered it - whether or not it helps me.