I am almost done with my initial set-up of setting up my Chameleon Mk3 to replace the stock extruder of my Ender 3 Pro.
I have already done the following:
Set the Chameleon in the correct mode by pushing the switch until it buzzes 10 times.
Removed the stock extruder and installed the Y adapter to feed directly into the top of the hot end.
Moved the stock extruder cable to the motor where the filament enters/exits the selector. The other cable going to the Chameleon selector assembly is still routed as before.
Now for the questions...
When I press the Chameleons button there are no audible buzzes but as long as I count it out then it seems to work as expected. Is this normal?
If I select T0 then after it is done moving around the selector assembly the filament in that location is loose but it's tight in T1. Shouldnt it be the other way around if the Chameleon is going to act as the extruder and push/pull on what's in T0?
I commanded the Chameleon (now plugged into my printers extruder main board) to move 10mm. Nothing happened. I plugged in the old motor and it worked. New motor again, nothing. I then saw that the motor model #'s are different. The ones that came with the Chameleon say 17HS4401 while the old extruder is a Creality 42-40. Are they not compatible and if so, is my best option to replace the Chameleon motor with the old one?
Finally, are there any additional settings to configure in PrusaSlicer to go along with my installation other than the Mk3 Gcode Generator?
Thank you!
Again, Mode 1, or the advanced installation is NOT recommended due to how advanced it is and all the technical leaps that need to be overcome. The minimal installation is to just connect the Y adapter's PTFE tube to the extruder and to place the switch...those are the ONLY two items that are required in Mode 2 or Mode 3. Mode 2 requires the Y at the hot end/extruder, and Mode 3 allows it to be any distance away.
That is, by far, the easiest way to install it and is the recommended installation. Once you get it there, then you can consider the advanced installation.
Bill
For that installation, you should be in Mode 1, which directly engages the color you're wanting to use. Also, you need to swap the middle two wires on the drive motor if you're going to use the stock wiring but our motor... It's always best to use the stock extruder motor instead of our motor so their settings for current and speeds still apply correctly.
In Mode 1, the only thing the 3DChameleon does is select which filament to drive, it can never move the filament because you disconnect the fine motor in favor of using the extruder motor to move it. That means you'll also need to add the G1 commands to the tool change GCode to move the filament. In addition, you need to use our post processor to reverse the E commands for drivers T2 and T3.
Do you already have the Mode 2 or Mode 3 installation working? It's highly recommended that you get that configuration working first, as this type is extremely difficult compared to them.
Bill