I got this printer for free, it’s my first foray into owning a 3D printer. I’m aware this is a very old unit with an 8 bit board. Big question is can this config can support a BLTouch or CRTouch module?
Most info I’ve found around this is 7 years old or so, I’m even having a hard time finding a module that may support this since all the ones I’ve seen say 32-bit. Would definitely appreciate feedback if it’s possible or if it’s even worthwhile to upgrade this unit a bit given the age. Not a fan of discarding something if it’s still usable.
Info:
Mainboard is 1.1.4 (green), with mini USB/TF in front and fan on top (telltale signs of the age). Firmware from the status screen is 1.1.6.
All 3 axis work, extruder heats and feeds, bed is missing some leveling handles (I’ve bought a set of yellow spring/red screws and they are enroute). Frame is solid from what I can tell and it’s got a glass bed.
Yes, the 1.1.4 board can run a BLTouch or CR Touch. The “32-bit” on the probe listings is about the firmware bundles they ship with, not the probe itself.
The probe signal goes to the Z endstop port. The servo wire needs a spare pin, which Creality’s original Ender 3 BLTouch kit took from the LCD header through a small “pin 27” adapter board (still sold on its own). Then you build Marlin 2.x for the Melzi Creality board with the probe enabled. The ATmega1284P is tight on flash, so turn off features you don’t need. The board has no bootloader from the factory, so the first flash has to go over ISP (an Uno running the ArduinoISP sketch works).
Before doing all that, price a Creality 4.2.7 board. It fits the same spot, has a proper probe header and silent drivers, and flashes from an SD card, which is why most people with this printer go that way.
And with a glass bed plus the new springs, plenty of people level by hand with a sheet of paper and never miss the probe. Worth trying that first since it costs nothing.
Bit of a late response on my end but thank you for your input!
You’re right that with new springs and a bit of patience I was able to get the bed leveled much better and have been printing a number of things since without issue. It was pretty much an entirely different printer once I got them installed.
You’re right about the upgraded board also, I’m still debating if it’s worthwhile to just spend the $50 to pick up one of those since it’s got better features and thermal runaway protection built in. Haven’t caved yet since I’m cheap, but this printer has been a nice little workhorse so far as I learn.