I’m thinking about adding a Raspberry Pi with OctoPrint to my Vertex setup.
Would it be possible to power the Raspberry Pi straight from either the main power supply or the main board? The Pi needs 5V max 1A if I’m correct.
Thanks
Erik
I have done this by adding a step down regulator 2A for my Pi (mounted on the underside of my Vertex)
Costs max. 5 € at ebay. and works well!
Thanks! I will have look at the regulators, maybe I can use them as well to regulate the voltage needed for the Ikea LEDs.
Are you using Octoprint as well and if so, do you think that is a good solution to make a stand-alone/networked printer?
Erik
I am planning to use it. At the moment i have other issues with my printer…
i have investigated 3 raspberry based solutions and i think octoprint has the most potential.
I have been using Octoprint for a few days now, together with mjpeg-streamer with the RasPi camera
In general I am happy with it but I notice a few problems:
I have the printer in the cellar and monitor octoprint from my office in the attic. The camera image isn’t sharp enough to really see if the print is good (I still have a few xy issues), but if I go down to check and see it’s not printing correctly I have to go all the way upstairs to cancel the job.
I couldn’t find a stop command in the printer’s menus. As it turns out the cellar may be too cold & damp for printing so I’ll bring it back upstairs anyway.
That leads me to the 2nd problem. If I cancel a job in octoprint it just stops the printer where it is - Repetier returns xy to home and seems to do a cleaner cancel - maybe I can configure that.
The final problem is the end of the job - I posted here http://forum.velleman.eu/viewtopic.php?f=61&t=13445. Although maybe that’s linked to the unclean cancel too
I’ve also had a few connection issues and a couple of times I managed to lose the UI and couldn’t connect any more leaving me with an uncontrollable printer. There is a script that provides a CLI to octoprint on the pi, but I’ve not tried that yet.
It’s good that you can integrate commands, eg start the mjpeg-streamer, shutdown the pi etc.
I’ve not checked if there is a new version but I’ve only had it installed a little over a week. I’m undecided whether to continue - I like the concept but as long as I have other print issues I want a closer control.
Let us know how you get on.
Thanks pinthenet for sharing your experiences. You have exactly the setup I want to start using.
But, I just ordered my Pi + Camera yesterday so it will take some time until I can post anything from this side.
And like beemeeup said, it looks like one of the most promising solutions.
I have used a logitech HD Webcam connected through USB.
Really good image resolution. I like it. And plug and play for mjpeg streamer
I’ve got my OctoPi working nicely now with the printer and over the internet, but I’m undecided where to mount it and how to power it up. I’m just getting a 75cm extension cable for the camera (best to get too much than too little!), from what I’ve tested so far the camera output while slow is pretty good.
Ideally I’d like to use the 5V output from the mainboard - does this really need a step down regulator? Does anyone know the max amps that could be drawn from that output? I know I’m being a bit lazy here, but I don’t get hours of free time to do extensive customisation on my printer!
I’m using this one;
thingiverse.com/thing:92208
But i don’t know if the width of the lens is sufficient though. I’m thinking about buying an M12x.5 adaptor and mount a fisheye lens.
I think i’ll buy this one; i don’t want to stress the motherboard too much. I guess the 5V is created using a 7805 or so, so this is a better solution IMO;
Not a 7805… more efficient solution.
as l said befire… Mine works great
But doesn’t the input voltage have to be less than the output - and it’s a 5V supply, which is what the Pi needs isn’t it? What are you stepping the voltage down to?
And can I ask where exactly (which pins) are you taking the voltage from?
biscuit, why don’t you just get yourself a step down converter?
They’re not that expensive …
[quote=“ichbinsnur”]biscuit, why don’t you just get yourself a step down converter?
They’re not that expensive …[/quote]It’s not the price - it’s ignorance that’s holding me back! I’m happy to get whatever - just want to be sure I’m doing the right thing. But I’m also trying not to go crazy on the customisation - my vertex is already looking steam punk enough without more LEDs and dangly bits on it. Notice the “true” engineer’s favourite material holding the camera in place!
