HI looking for some advise please. I have a mini fabricator printer, but wanted something bigger print bed, heated etc, so bought a wanhao duplicator i3 plus.
The first sample file print on the sd card went ok.
Then tried my own prints, and long story short, despite trying new and old card, different formats etc, I’m pretty sure i have a faulty card reader in the i3 plus. It sometimes recognises the card, often not, and takes a wiggling about to get it to work. Im also unable to navigate on the file selection screen, so can’t really load multiple files on the card tot print. Im now regretting buying it. The seller has offered to send me a new board, but i don’t really want to open a brand new printer when theres a risk of me damaging something doing this. I paid 420 for the i3 plus, have i mad a bad choice, or have i just got unlucky? Thanks
Sounds like just unlucky to me. Although I do get skeptical when dealing with machines like that. If I was in the i3 market I would go for the MK2 from Josef Prusa all day long but it is considerably more expensive at $700. I’d say keep what you have, but see if they will replace the unit. I don’t think that you should have to tear open a new machine. Part of what you paid for went to the cost of assembling in the first place.
First thing you need to do is work out the model number of the sd reader part and maybe post a pic of it. Then we can find you a replacement, Wanhao parts are expensive compared to other places that sell the same parts. Is it under warranty? Anyways part number plz
@Griffin_Paquette thanks, I’m aware some of the components may not be as good as the higher end stuff, but at least thought it would work OK. Re the assembly cost, and opening the machine, thats exactly what i thought, and replacing the unit would be the ideal solution, or failing that if they refuse to, i may push for a refund.
@Jeff_Dewe hi, would i need to disease,mble the unit to do that? I’m not really prepared to do that to be honest due to points above. Im not incompetent at assembling things, but there is a chance i may make a mistake, and then the company definitely wont want to know. Yes it has a warranty on it, it was bought form a uk company at a price of £420.
@Mr_Bonce hello, yes bought two new ones, one worked intermittently, one not at all. some old ones, same response. the one provided same response. I can’t keep buying sd cards, as the cost mounts up.
OK, really sounds like the sdcard connection. On the sdcard adapter board on the printer is making a flakey contact. As I remember when I was looking up wanhao printers they do test stuff before shipping, so its likely that when they tested it with the sdcard it was fine, you received it and ran the test print off the same card which where you hadn’t moved it was still fine, you then pulled that card out and the sdcard connection points relaxed lower so subsequent sdcards are not making good connections on their contact points.
So, things to try, get a thin piece of paper and as you put the sdcard it, push it alongside opposite the sdcard brass contacts, this will (hopefully) push the sdcard closer to the contacts enough to make a good connection.
As for accepting a scdard extension replacement from wanhao, before accepting it (which will close the issue you have with them) really suggest you get from them step by step instructions on how you will do this, then you can gauge for yourself whether you can comfortably do this or want to push for a refund which is likely to cost you postage…
I’ve had reading issues like this with extra SD cards I’ve bought. My problem was solved checking the Format by right-clicking the SD card in Windows/Properties. If the format wasn’t FAT32, I reformated the SD card as FAT32.
…It wouldn’t hurt to just reformat that SD card anyway before trying to replace your printer hardware.
@Mr_Bonce i could try this, but i don’t have much faith in the printer durability now tbh, as all this means once theres a few more hours on the printer, ill have the same problem again? Ive got sd card readers on old cheap laptops, that work constantly, no trouble, why can’t wanahao just put a better spec card reader in it? Bu the idea of shimming it is quite interesting, but does seem particary safe, especially if some of the paper becomes detached inside, it could become a fire hazard.
@Fabrocat_TM I’ve tried this, and i don’t think it is the format, as if it was, they wouldn’t read at all, but it seems if its messed around with enough, it will read.
surely the fact that tapping or pushing the sd card, causes it to read? what else could it be if physically touching the sd card cause the sd card reader to randomly work? sorry not trying to be rude, i don’t know hat having it running of the usb would prove other than it works fine on usb?
Do you have to send the original back? If not, definitely keep it around safe as it’s bound to be a very standard arduino to sdcard reader, so if you get into playing with that sort of stuff latter on would be fun to play with, will also be a cool way to learn how the printer works at a electronic level as under the good I believe the wanhao uses an arduino with a ramps board as it’s brains
update on this, i have fitted new board, and so far so good. Now reads fine. Does anyone else have the i3 plus. What sort of maintenance should i be looking to do to keep it in good shape?
