Reddit reviews BIQU A4988 Compatible StepStick Stepper Motor Diver Module with Heat Sink for 3D Printer Controller Ramps 1.4(Pack of 5pcs)
We found 3 Reddit comments about BIQU A4988 Compatible StepStick Stepper Motor Diver Module with Heat Sink for 3D Printer Controller Ramps 1.4(Pack of 5pcs). Here are the top ones, ranked by their Reddit score.
A4988 driver board widely used in 3D printers and small CNC machinesSimple step and direction control interfaceThermal protection, over-current protection, ground fault protectionFive different step resolutions: full-step, half-step, quarter-step, eighth-step, and sixteenth-stepAdjustable current control lets you set the maximum current output with a potentiometer, which lets you use voltages above your stepper motor’s rated voltage toachieve higher step rates
A RAMPS 1.6* kit would be the cheapest. Best would be something like a Einsy RAMBO* (a board very similar to the one on the Prusa MK3), but that's $120. A good middle of the road solution is the RUMBA+* combined with some stepstick format stepperdrivers. The stock anet uses A4988's*, there's also the option to use DRV8825's* (better resolution, but some people experience resonance related issues) or TMC2130's*. (allows for very silent running) and a screen* (if not included)
In any case, make sure that it has some kind of overcurrent protection. I prefer solutions with blade fuses (also commonly referred to as automotive fuses) It really pays to do some research of your own and to see what you want to get out of a printer. Eventually most A8 frames get converted to other models using the other parts of the kit for the electronics. You should check out the wiki, it contains a couple of good pointers to get you started.
*^(please note that the links provided are meant as illustrations and that I don't necessarily mean to endorse the linked products)
[edit]
As stated before, just toss the melzi and/or anet controller. They're fire hazards. And while you're at it, better improve rather than sidegrade.
I am also using a V6 hotend. Probably wont have to change your PID values.
I went with:
MKS Gen 1.4 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072ZZ3YQW
Stepper Motor Driver x 5 - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FFFYVV8
I picked up these from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FFFYVV8/ and set my configuration.h to #define E0_DRIVER_TYPE A4988 and also for X, Y and Z. Those steppers work fine. I doubt this is an overheating issue, since I have heat sinks and this happens in the beginning of the print. And also no loose wires.