Thank you for this video. I installed mine and while the steppers went the wrong way all I had to do was plug the cable in backwards, no need to swap the pins. Works wonderfully. 🙂
IMPORTANT UPDATE : Trinamic have updated the TMC2208 design since making this video. There are now 3 solder pads where there was previously 2. Orientate your driver to match my diagram, and solder the left pad (closest to the PDN pin) and the centre pad, and follow the rest of the video as detailed. If yours still has only 2 pads then the video still applies. Also not covered in this video is how to adjust the output current while the driver is in this basic mode. Adjust the current and the associated V-ref via the trim pot on the end of the driver as per any other driver. Cheers, Keith
Just installed X&Y drivers all went OK soldering is tricky very small, and had to change the E stops manually on the printers screen (don't forget to SAVE I did). Thanks to KY
Thanks for your video it was very helpful. I was looking for the effects of the jumper settings on the TMC2208 I am upgrading too. Your video was very helpful. Keep up the good work! :)
Loved this video when i bought the TMC2208 drivers for my MKS gen1.4. Would like an update of it, so we kan use the functions in Marlin and Klipper, to set current etc.
Hello I have an Artillery SW X1 and a Z axis driver is failing, I bought some TMC2208, but I understand that they are TMC2100, I can directly replace them or I must configure the marlin and something
First, I wanna say thanks for the great video! I'm having some trouble with the exact same TMC2208 drivers used in your video. I purchased mine from Aliexpress. I'm using a MKS Gen L v1.0, with TMC2208 for x,y, and z. They are all plug and play using StealthChop2 (standard). I have a custom built printer of (220,220,250)mm build space. Ive tried varying the Vref from 0.3V-1.6V and still problems persist. It seems my stepper motors are hot no matter what the voltage, and resulting in layer shifts. I'm guessing the motors amps/phase is under rated? Im currently using nema 17HS13-0404S1. I don't want to enable Stealthchop, for time and noise reasons. Do you think I could just upgrade the motor with something like a nema 17HS16-2004S1 and fix my problem?
Great video, thanks for the info. Do you have any more information on when a video detailing the UART connection will be available? Id love to see the process explained as well as in this video. Thanks
Hi Oliver, I have to go away for a bit, but when I get back, I'll get on with figuring out the UART connection. I've only figure out about 70% of it so far. This may be later in March or April. Cheers, Keith
I can't get the script communicator to run the tmc220x.scez file. I'm on a Mac, but I went to the library and used a windows computer and had the same problem... I've followed all instructions to the tee. What am I doing wrong here?
There was an issue with the new script file off github. Did you try the mirror link keithyoung.com.au/TMC2208.zip This file has the old version that may still work. Unfortunately I am away from all my gear for a few weeks ATM and won't be able to help for a while.
Hello, I have MKS Gen V1.4 board, TMC2208 stepper driver and Nema 17 JK42HM40-1684 (0.9 degree) stepper motor. My problem is Vref. Could you help me about the Vref calculation pls? I read the TMC2208 datasheet but don't understand. What is my Vref voltage and how can I calculate ?
Hi ahment, just checked the specs on that particular motor and you should be good to go. The factory default V-ref setting should very close to what you need for that one. The only symptoms that it may be wrong is if the motor over-heats or the motor is skipping steps. In that case turn the V-ref down to reduce heat, or up to stop skipping. Others may not agree with this method, but with a bit of applied common-sense it has been working for me. That said I had one particular motor that was a mis-match as it was skipping and over-heating at the same time which resulted in have to buy a bigger motor.
Are you able to set the 2208 to a different microstep resolution and save it to the driver? Every time it restarts, the microsteps default to 8 microsteps, and I'd like to be able to change it.
I'm getting ready in install a MKS Gen 1.4 with TMC2130 on my Anet A8 do I need to do the same type of stuff just like this? have not seen any videos on that except Tom's Video on the TMC2130's
@Darren Anton I've just installed a MKS Gen 1.4 with the 2130s and used Tom's video and everything works just fine, I haven't done a whole log of testing but the display and the drivers are running fine in my limited testing. I'm running them in a CoreXY printer so I'm not using the sensorless homing feature but controlling voltages / etc seem to work as intended.
Do i have to change the vref even with the method that you explained? I just got confused in that part, and if i have to change the vref what would it be for x, y, z, and e ?
Oh sorry, the vref setting was not covered in this video. At the time I used the factory default settings which were fine. That said you need to set them up using experimentation or your printer's recommended settings. There are plenty of videos online that will show you how to do it, most drivers use exactly the same method. Don't worry too much if you get the setting wrong if the driver over-heats it automatically shuts down which will show itself as a layer shift or similar error.
Hi Again Keith.. Can I confirm that with ramps 1.4 1.5 1.6 that with all 3 jumpers in it is 256 steps unlike Gen 1.3 with 2 jumpers its 256.. and is this legacy mode were marlin doesnt control the vref?
OK with all the boards you mentioned, to get the 2208 to work in "16 micro-steps" with 256 interpolation leave MS1 and MS2 in. In this case, follow what I do in the video exactly. For 2, 4, & 8 steps requires different combos of jumpers that you will need to look up on the on the TMC2208 documentation. See the above link for this. Although leaving all 3 jumpers in worked for me, I'd recommend pulling the MS3 jumper out, as there have been reports of this interfering with the operation. I did not show how to adjust the V-ref in this video at the time as the factory default of 1.2V works perfectly for the Tevo Black Widow. However if you are running the drivers with smaller steppers, the V-ref may be too high, in which case adjust the V-ref as per the legacy drivers using the on-board analog potentiometer. Their are plenty of You-tube videos to show you how to do this. The metal potentiometer adjust screw can be used as the V-ref contact.
Having discussed this idea elsewhere, the opinion is that smoothers are not necessary with the 2208. That said, there is nobody stopping you installing them to see if they improve things. One person has reported a slight improvement with clone TMC2100s. No need for any instruction or video on how to install, they just plug in between the driver and the stepper. They can't be plugged in backwards as they work either way round.
Yes sorry my bad. I was referring to TL-smoothers. Was discussing TL-smoothers in the BW FB page at the time and got my thoughts crossed. I can't see how any TMC would work with a "Smoothieboard" as such, arn't the driver built in?
No sorry no updates yet. Unfortunately have work on other projects that pay the bills at the moment. I do not have a Rumba board to try, but the only difference I can see is that you will need to flick switch 1 and 2 under each driver to the "on" position. And then plug each driver in with the 3 holes towards the closest edge of the Rumba board. Otherwise follow all other instructions in the video. I hope that helps.
Keith. I have soldered the jumper pads nc and pdn. I cannot get the script to run in communicator.. it will not connect to the port. But if i run communicator from the program icon without the scez it connects? have you any ideas?
Did you download the files from the Watterott site: github.com/watterott/SilentStepStick or my mirror link: keithyoung.com.au/TMC2208.zip Which ever one you downloaded from, unistall what you have and try the other link and let me know how you go.
Hi Keith the files i have are from your site. The driver is the ftdi driver no mention of uart.. I windows ftdi driver and the ftdi driver from there website. The steppers are the same as your video except there fysetc (clone)
Bob it sounds like you are doing everything right, this may be hard to diagnose over the internet. Is there someone local to you that may be able to help?
not really.. i'm computer tech qualified.. have used ftdi dev before for other programming but not to set up 2208..is there another script program i can use that i can run the 2208.scez?
Same here, everyone else says they are plug and go, you;d think if there was 2 settings they would sell some pre configed. I'm still not sure if I need to do all this
Ahoj, hezké video. Prosím jde TMC 2208 V 1.2 přeprogramovat USB čipem RS232 ? www.aliexpress.com/item/32711426279.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.27424c4dIlwqaR