Issue on Printrbot Smalls. I flashed it with wrong firmware.

[taronagano]

My Printrbot Smalls has an issue.

I am a beginner of 3D printing and that is my first 3D printer.

I flashed the firmware of printer board with wrong one that is for Printrbot Play.
Then, my printer became not working correctly.
When I order to print by using Cura, the hot end moves in the air, it can't recognize proper distance to print bed.
https://youtu.be/PCK1l1aok88
https://youtu.be/8JmVBa8-JF4

I need anyone's advice how can I fix the issue.

Let me tell the story why it happened.

I built up the kit about three weeks ago and enjoyed 3D printing for a while.
For small objects, the printing quality seemed OK for me.
But, I found an issue when I was printing large size object that had large footprint.
The first layer wasn't print well.It wasn't even because the hot end nozzle touches print bed when the arm reached at some point along Y-axis.
I did G-code M212 to adjust Z-height, but I couldn't fix the issue.

While googling solution, I found a site explaining how to flash firmware.
Then, I decided to flash it.
After re-flashing the firmware, I tried to print and I found the things became worse.
The hot end moves in the air, it can't recognize proper distance to print bed.
I realized the firmware that I downloaded wasn't correct.
I think the firmware works only for Play instead of universal.
I didn't know each Printrbot uses different firmware even they use same version of Printrboad.

Since then, I was searching the firmware for Smalls.
But I haven't found it.Printrbot website that the firmware had been uploaded was already closed because of their out of business.

Now, I am thinking to flash it to Marlin firmware and tune it for Smalls by Arduino.
But, I feel like it difficult for me. I don’t know about programming.

Are there any way to fix my Smalls? I hope somebody give me an advice.

[RetireeJay]

You may be able to find a suitable hex file here:
Also, there are instructions that I wrote some time ago in the Wiki. Many things have changed, but the overall description and flow is still valid. Click on the red-beige-white "Printrbot Wiki" icon next to the "Search..." box, and then select Firmware Update.

[taronagano]

Hi RetireeJay,
Thanks for your advice.
I try the firmware that you linked.
Also, I check the instruction of Firmware Update that you wrote.
Then, I post on what happens

[JohnEd]

I looked at the post by taronagano - having the same troubles myself. Finally got FLIP to run & recognize a hex file by following RetireeJay's posts, using the REV_F5_Legacy.HEX file, & everything runs on my Smalls.... but now the Y reaches out way too far & clatters, & the print is in the air, maybe 2" too high.
- GOOD NEWS is, got the Smalls running again with Repetier, but that PLAY hex file just wouldn't go in FLIP.
- Any comments, laughter, or finger pointing appreciated.
- JohnEd

[RetireeJay]

Sorry, I know it's too late to say this now, but flashing the firmware should be the absolutely very last thing you ever do if your printer is behaving even halfway normally.

Some versions of the firmware allow you to set the size of the print volume in EEPROM, others don't. Some versions of Printrbot firmware use Y-Max as the "reference point" (where there is a switch telling the printer that it's reached the end of the Y axis); other versions of the firmware use Y=0, similar to the X and Z axes. The older versions of firmware don't have the "bed probing" routine built in, but find Z zero only at a single point (originally a switch on frame activated by moving the carriage down). So, as you have discovered, if you use the wrong firmware you will be in a world of hurt.

But there are many versions available in the site that I linked above, and you should be able to find one that "fits".