Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

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greenman
 
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Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

Hello,
I just got my first package from Adafruit and I am psyched. (actually left work early today to play with my new toys).
I am trying to setup the thermal printer (I got the starter pack PRODUCT ID: 600) but it doesn't print the test page.
I have powered it using the 5V 2A (2000mA) switching power supply (PRODUCT ID: 276) and the green power LED blinks every second or so but it not a solid Green.
I have I loaded the paper as per instructions. picture here (https://learn.adafruit.com/mini-thermal ... r?view=all)

When i push the button, the printer moves the paper just 1-2 mm and doesn't print anything.
Please tell me I am doing something wrong.

The paper bay had a sample printed page inside.

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pburgess
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by pburgess »

I have someone looking into this. It's possible either the paper thickness changed in a recent batch, or conversely that recent printers need thinner paper, if that's the issue. Otherwise we'll see about exchanging the printer.

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greenman
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

I tried printing on the sample test page that was inside the printer.
Still no luck so I believe it might be a faulty Printer.

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by adafruit2 »

Can you post a photo of the *paper* roll? from the end, so we can see the inner core

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greenman
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

Paper roll
Paper roll
Paper roll
D7K_1137.JPG (151.81 KiB) Viewed 1520 times
The front side of the printer looks like this
Attachments
The front side of the printer
The front side of the printer
D7K_1132.JPG (95.91 KiB) Viewed 1520 times

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by adafruit2 »

The printer and green LED sound find - does the paper roll fit loosely in the bay, or is it a tight fit?

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greenman
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

it is probably a bit loose.

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by adafruit2 »

it should be a bit loose...can you try it with a 9VDC adapter do you have one kicking around?

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greenman
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

I noticed that when i plug the printer to the power for the first time, the Green LED is ON times for 1-2 seconds and this happens 2 tiimes. After that it goes into a blinking Green mode.

I don't have a 9V 1.5A power supply. but I do have a few 12V 1.5A power adapters (the ones that ship with external hard drives). Shall I try with them?
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Paper in the bay
Paper in the bay
D7K_1140.JPG (177.61 KiB) Viewed 1514 times

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by adafruit2 »

nah 12V is too high - the LED sounds fine. email support@adafruit and ask for a replacement printer with a return label. Please make sure the return says "ATTN PHIL" so we can perform printer-autopsy when it returns :)

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greenman
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by greenman »

Since the thermal printer is out of stock I am not able to place a replacement order for it.
But if you are able to diagnose the problem and fix it permanently I would be interested in getting the fixed item instead of waiting for the new stock.

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adafruit2
 
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Re: Thermal printer doesn't print the test page

Post by adafruit2 »

We got this item back, and manually tested it.
The paper in the bay was in 'backwards' - we flipped the paper to be in correctly
In the photos above we now notice that the paper is in backwards as well.

When holding down the button while powering it printed out the correct test sheet
When running the Arduino printertest, it worked fine as well.

thanks!

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