The SKR Pro can take serial input. I have used a Raspberry Pi with the GPIO serial UART to talk to one. The TFT black cable is just a simple serial port set to 250000 baud. You could use that serial port with something like a Pi with no firmware modifications.
There is also another serial UART on the SKR Pro board (Labelled “UART” near the corner with the reset button) thst could be used that way and retain the touchscreen functions, but would require enabling in the firmware.
One option… plug the USB dongle into a laptop/tablet. Then connect a esp-01s to the SKR. Something like ESP-01s - ESP3D / ESPUI Headless – V1 Engineering Inc that’s running a version of ESP3D that supports key shortcuts (may need to upgrade the firmware for this).
Happy with my amzn tablet with BT keyboard setup. Black Friday sales are coming up…
The Noctua fans that I used run on 12 Volts. However, the method I used can work with fans made for either 24V or 12V. I connected them straight to a spare 12V / 24V “power out” port on the SKR board, so that every time the LowRider gets switched on, the fans come on. They don’t do temp monitoring for going on and off. They stay on whenever the LR3 is on. It was simpler for me to do it that. Please see the two port options highlighted on this schematic:
Based on this same question having been asked a few times, I just now edited the first Printables case listing (the one I first remixed for my build) to add a “FAQ” with this answer!
I’ve seen the numberpad jog control used on machines that use Linux CNC or Mach3/4, something that relies on a “full blown” PC with operating systems and peripheral support. I don’t know that the microcontrollers running our stand-alone MPCNC’s have full USB peripheral capability.strong text
The SKR Pro instructions show 6 drivers the text notes that lowrider has 5 drivers. It does not say which port they need to be put in. Since I am missing a driver does it matter where I plug in the five drivers??? From what I have been able to piece together it looks like I would leave out the driver to the far right E2 UART.
2.FANS Doug Joseph shared a diagram with me where he attaches the fans to the main power supply but I think he is using a different fan than what came in my kit. My kit came with two BTT 12v fans that have a plug installed on them. Do they plug into the board somewhere or is it best to cut the plug off and direct wire them as Doug showed?
I am sure someone will point out the obvious but I have not seen or found it, SOOO… How do I determine X1, X2, Y1, Y2 which side is which??
Thanks Tom and all that replied on the number pad. I think for now I am just going to get the machine up and running and then once I get used to it and how to control it, tinker with it from that point. I did not realize how much was involved just seemed like a cool way to control it away form the screen, shows how little I know about this thing as of now but looking forward to learning and advancing with it!
If you want Marlin to know which driver(s) to activate to move a specific axis, then yes, it matters. If you choose a different driver than standard, then theoretically you would have to modify the firmware a bit (configuration.h) and reflash. (I haven’t done this, so if you go that route, please post and let us know how it turned out).
There is no X1/X2, but there is a Z1/Z2. Which is which depends on which side you plug into Z or Y driver. I plugged the non-rail side (XMin) into Z1 and Y1, and the rail side (XMax) into Z2 and Y2, but AFAIK there really isn’t anything stopping you from doing that backwards (as long as you also plug the endstop switches accordingly)
OK but where do the drivers plug into? There is 6 ports but the kit only comes with 5.
Thanks for clarifying the rail and non rail sides that makes it easier to understand.
The pictures show 6 drivers installed, you want to use the first 5 (starting at the power connectors). There is actually a small label beside each set of pins, so leave E2 empty.
There is one video where I build the control box.