External Drive Usage Tutorial

Precautions

Prerequisites

• This tutorial is based on Klipper firmware configuration.
• The module supports both common cathode and common anode wiring methods. Please choose according to your actual situation.
• After selecting the wiring method, ensure the hardware connection matches the chosen method.

Module Selection

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Standard Module

• This module is suitable for SUPER series, GEMINI series, E3 series.
• Reason: The driver pins on these motherboards output a 5V signal, which is directly compatible with the driver.

5V Module

• This module is suitable for D series, C series.
• Reason: The driver pins on these motherboards output a 3.3V signal. Some drivers cannot be used directly and require a boost module.

Select Wiring Method

Please select the corresponding wiring method based on your hardware configuration:

Selection Suggestion

• If unsure which method to use, please refer to the driver module's manual.

Common Cathode Wiring

Common Cathode Wiring Diagram

This wiring method is suitable for driver modules configured for common cathode.

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Common Anode Wiring

Common Anode Wiring Diagram

This wiring method is suitable for driver modules configured for common anode.

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Driver Microstepping Setting

Simplified Setting

• No driver jumper configuration is required. Microstepping is set directly by the driver DIP switches.

Driver DIP Switch Setting

It is recommended to set the driver's onboard DIP switches to 3200.

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Microstepping Setting Explanation

Core Calculation Formula

Pulses per motor revolution = rotation_distance / step_distance

A more fundamental derivation is: Pulses per motor revolution = full_steps_per_rotation × microsteps

Step-by-step configuration logic:

1. Determine motor intrinsic parameters: Common motors have full_steps_per_rotation: 200 (200 full steps per revolution, i.e., 1.8°/step).
2. Set Klipper microsteps microsteps: Set in the configuration file, e.g., microsteps: 16.
3. Match driver physical microstepping: Calculate and set the driver DIP switches based on the above settings and required precision.
   • Recommended value in this tutorial: 200 (full steps) × 16 (Klipper microsteps) = 3200 pulses/revolution.
   • At this point, the driver DIP switches need to be set to the corresponding 3200 (32 microsteps), meaning the driver subdivides each received "step pulse" into 32 parts to drive the motor.

Configuration Level	Configuration Item	Setting Value	Description
Motor Parameter	Full Steps per Revolution full_steps_per_rotation	200	Motor intrinsic property, typically 200 (1.8°)
Klipper Config	Microsteps microsteps	16	Set in printer.cfg
Driver Hardware	DIP Switch Microstep Value	3200 (32 microsteps)	Set by physical DIP switches
Final Effect	Pulses per motor revolution	200 × 16 = 3200	Klipper needs to send 3200 pulses to rotate the motor one full revolution

If other microstepping effects are needed: Please follow the above logic to ensure coordination between Klipper configured microsteps (microsteps) and driver DIP switch microstep setting. For example, if set to microsteps: 32 in Klipper, the driver DIP switches should be set to 1600 (16 microsteps) to achieve a total precision of 200 × 32 = 6400 pulses/revolution.

Klipper Configuration Reference

Configuration Item	Description	Configuration Example
Driver Type	No configuration needed, physically set by driver DIP switches	—
Microsteps (microsteps:)	Set to 16	Loading...
Step Pulse Duration (step_pulse_duration:)	This parameter must be added and set to 0.000004	Loading...
Enable Pin (enable_pin:)	Adjust according to driver logic: 1. Usually remove the ! symbol (active-high enable) 2. Some drivers require adding ! (active-low enable) 3. In some cases, you can delete this line (always enabled)	Active-high enable: Loading... Active-low enable: Loading... Disable enable: Delete this line

Configuration reference illustration:

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Driver Pulse Anomaly Handling

Troubleshooting

If the following phenomena occur, try adjusting the step pulse duration:

• Printed model offset, layer misalignment
• Motor vibration, abnormal noise, or irregular operation

Adjustment Method: Gradually increase the value of step_pulse_duration, for example:

1. Try 0.000009
2. Or 0.00001
3. Or 0.00002

Test the effect after each adjustment.