TMC 2130 Stepper Drivers

Wire Via SPI for Stealth Mode

• Solder certain bridges on the driver - not easy
• Change Marlin code in configuration_adv.h
• Need to change pins_RAMPS.h file to tell which pins are being used
• Debug allows M122 in serial monitor for status
• Define sensorless_homing in config_adv !!! This is useful.
• Disable endstops_pullup for sensorless homing
• M914 in sensorless homing determines sensitivity of sensorless homing
• Need to upgrade to Marlin 1.1.9 from 1.1.0 to do sensorless homing.

Analysis of Torque

• According to test results at 36V - the torque is great in Stealth Mode up to to 250mm/s - [1]

Wiring Detail for 2130

Wiring that takes advantage of all the features of the 2130 and 2208 is complicated. Without complicating wiring, these can be run in legacy mode for silent operation. 2208 has improved torque, but does not feature sensorless homing.

To use simple wiring as a drop-in replacement for the A4988 or DRV8825, just plug is as before and use the current adjustment onboard the chip. This does not allow for configuration via Marlin, but gets the silent operation.

Source 1

• If smart controller is on Aux 3 - need to wire into Aux 2 headers - see Step 4 at [2]. Disclaimer - author questions validity of LCD working with TMC2130
• Covers 3 parameters set in software - sensitity to bump stop; holding torque; conversion from 16 to 256 microsteps
• Stealth chop gets you less power - how much less? Less speed. Unacceptable for fast bulk prints on large printers
• Can run in hybrid mode to set Stealth mode only below a certain speed, and high speed is noisy.
• Nothing about solder bridge on the driver to select mode?

Source 2

• Chris Riley - [3]5
• Step, Dir, Enable pins face down [4], 4 pins up. Diagnostic pin goes up [5].
• Sacrifices LCD for this install. SDRAMSP supports is commented out [6].
• Diagnostic pin goes to the end stop signal (rightmost). So effectively, we have to solder one pin on the TMC2130 to replace the end stops. That is worthwhile.
• Set x and y home bump to zero when using sensorless homing in config.h - [7]
• Install the TMC2130 library via Sketch -> Include library -> Manage libraries... But which version?
• Need cooling fans - [8]
• For the pins that we reassign - make sure you don't steal them from EXT2 if you are using the second extruder steppers [9].

And What About TMC2208?

• TMC2208 disadvantage - requires active cooling, but so does TMC2230 - [10]

• Swap motor direction by reversing 2 outer pins on either side, or reverse in Marlin Firmware. (just plug reversal in Marlin?)
• If you have Marlin <1.9, that's it. But Marlin 1.9 and up, need to select the drivers that you have to TMC2208 (selection is not avilable in Marlin 1.0)

• Yes! Drop-in replacement that is quiet, with Stealthchop2. [11]. Requires no firmware upgrade if using <Marlin 1.9. Question is if the torque is acceptable.
• TMC2208 Instructable - [12]
• Yes, can get quiet operation as drop-in replacement, no modification needed outside of small firmware change, but not sensorless homing. [13]

2130 and 2208 Documentation

• Marlin docs on TMC2130 - [14]
• New: Marlin docs including TMC2208 - [15]
• Hackaday post - summary is that it's a job to configure properly - [16]
• Prusa forum - good list of references - and explanation of low torque is 12v operation instead of 24 or higher. 1A at 24V only is required to run all stepper motors??? [17]. See first response, Hardware point #9.

TMC 2208Specifications

• Motor Phase Current: 1.2A RMS,2.0A Peak
• Motor Voltage VM: 5.5V-36V
• DRV8825 comparison - 1.5A without heat sink, 2.2 with [18]
• A4988 comparison - 1 and 2 A - [19]

Sourcing - 2208

• Amazon - $6 each - 2208 - [20]
• Aliexpress - $4 for 2208 - [21]