Extruder and bed are not heating up enough

[Jon30b]

I am trying to get my 3D printer working for the first time. I am using Repetier-Host. I load in a model, connect to the printer and slice it then click run job. In the settings the max extruder temperature is 205 and the max bed temperature is 70. The extruder does not get hotter than 23 deg and the bed no hotter than 50 deg.

[William]

Hi, If you print for a long time,
It is recommended to import the gcode file into the sd card for printing after slicing.

[GAQ]

Hi Jon,
"Not heating up enough" ?? - Sounds like your extruder nozzle isn't heating up at all !
So let's forget sending instructions from the computer for a moment... (In case Repetier not working correctly)
What happens if you just use the printer ?
... Click in the button and scroll down to 'Prepare'
... Click and scroll down the list to 'PreHeat PLA'
... Click and scroll down to PreHeat PLA' (As opposed to just the nozzle or bed - This choice sets both)
Click on this...
What happens ?
Does this turn the heaters on ?
I would add - please disconnect the USB from the computer to make sure the screen isn't just being lit by the USB power
(As it does light up once connected - but you're never going to power the heaters this way !)
Gerry

[GAQ]

Hi Jon,
As William says... Try using the SD card to hold your gcode.
I've NEVER actually printed directly via the computer...
I always save my gcode to an SD card...
I then put the SD card into the printer and print from that.
I only use repetier to control the printer when I'm moving the bed around to check for levels,
Or extruding material to calibrate the extruder steps.
My 'Start' gcode always begins with code to turn on the heaters and wait for the machine to reach temperature,
Then the printer 'Homes', followed by the G29 code to probe the bed with my BL Touch to check bed level...
My 'End' gcode lifts the z axis then pushes the bed forwards before turning off the fan and heaters.
Gerry

[GAQ]

Hi Jon,
I must admit I've never used Repetier as my slicing program -
I've just had a play with it, (Since writing the last post) ...but I didn't like it !
I use either Slic3r PE (Version for Prusa printers - it's free)
Or Cura 4.1 (Also free)
I find these can both save to an SD card in my computer very easily and then I can take the card and place in my printer.
(I only connect the printer to the PC via USB when I really have to ! )
I find these programs far more intuitive and they can hold profiles for different materials / settings.
Maybe Repetier does all these things, but I didn't find the facility for this - maybe I'm looking in the wrong place.
I will note that I added some starter gcode that didn't appear in the final gcode generated when slicing !

[Jon30b]

How do I make it print from the SD card? It's in the slot but nothings happens.

[William]

Hi, Are you referring to the inability to read the sd card?
You can try to press the sd card slot behind the lcd screen and insert the sd card.
Check if it can be read.

[GAQ]

Hi Jon,
I've never had a problem getting an sd card to be read correctly - but I know some people have had a problem.
"It's in the slot but nothing happens"...
Well, nothing WILL happen unless you ask the printer to do something !
Have you attempted to read the card ? - You don't say what you've tried.
Click and go down to the 'Print from sd card' option - What happens ?
Do you get the 'No card' message ?
Let's say your card cannot be read by the printer...
One of the more common reasons is that the card isn't formatted in the way the printer likes.
Windows is notorious for this, some people report that putting their card in their camera and 'Formatting' works better !
There are several freebie programs available that will do a better job of formatting your card for the printer to read.
Google for them...
The problem has been documented before on the forum - people offered a link to suitable software.
http://www.geeetech.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=18735
Try this and let us know how you get on.
Gerry

[Jon30b]

I have tried formatting the SD card using SD Card Formatter. I can save the gcode to the card from Ultimaker Cura, then I put it in the printer SD card slot. It says Card inserted on the display but there is no button to print in Cura?

[William]

Hi, you can refer to this:

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