I am the original owner of a 2012-era PrintrBot Plus and about two weeks ago I decided to get this machine running again for MRRF 2019. About 4 years ago I disassembled the printer since it was taking up room we didn't have at the time and I just wasn't using it since it required regular maintenance. Fast forward to today and in the last week I have taken what was a box of partially assembled wood piece into what is starting to look like a printer again.
As I mention at the very beginning I am under a bit of a time constraint as I am trying to get everything working for MRRF 2019 which is taking place in Goshen, Indiana starting this Friday 3/29. The information on this forum has already been a HUGE help to my build up unto this point however I am looking for some insight and recommendations on some steps moving forward.
I am planning on reusing as much of the original hardware/components as I can however I have already started a few upgrades which include Bondtech BMG and E3D V6. I would also like to figure out how to wire in an external MOSFET for the bed heater since I don't want to fry to RevD PrintrBoard.
Some information about my current machine. Other than the planned update to the extruder and hotend I am stock. I have PrintrBoard RevD with all the original steppers, heated bed and power supply (ATX 250W). I don't think I have ever updated the firmware on my Printrboard and when I pinged my board this is what I got:
FIRMWARE_NAME:Marlin V1; Sprinter/grbl mashup for gen6 FIRMWARE_URL:[Printrbot Site Here] PROTOCOL_VERSION:1.0 MACHINE_TYPE:Printrbot EXTRUDER_COUNT:3
echo:Active Extruder: 0
I have already done my best to search for the information in the forum (and elsewhere) and if there are post out there to address what I am looking for then please just post the link.
Here is what I am looking for help with:
1. Firmware Update? - I am trying to figure out if I have to update the firmware on my RevD board. As I mention above I do plan on updating my machine to a BMG and V6 so I know there will be updates to both the E step and thermistor type but I am hoping I can do that with my current board firmware. Do I need to update the firmware to properly work with current slicing programs? In the past I have used Repetier w/Slic3r with my Printrbot.
2. External Heated Bed Mosfet - If I want to use my stock 250W ATX and power the heated bed through an external MOSFET which wires from the ATX do I still need to connect to the PrinterBoard and which wires should I wire to the external MOSFET. I know I need to still power the board and provide enough for the hotend cartridge heater. I purchased the "BIQU Heat Bed Power Module Expansion" from Amazon (couldn't post link as a new user).
If any needs more information or pictures please let me know.
Thanks in advanced for any help you can provide.
Eric