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MarlinFirmware / Marlin

Marlin is an optimized firmware for RepRap 3D printers based on the Arduino platform. Many commercial 3D printers come with Marlin installed. Check with your vendor if you need source code for your specific machine.
https://marlinfw.org
GNU General Public License v3.0
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[FR] Uptime reporting / RealTimeClock #7438

Open bipsendk opened 7 years ago

bipsendk commented 7 years ago

Sometime it might become handy to be able to retrieve uptime information from the printer - and if no other timers are handling it, and might be achieved if a RTC (RealTimeClock) chip is connected to the controller board. Some board have I2C capabilities (RAMPS among others) - and adding for example a module with a DS1307 RTC (and often also a AT24C32 EEPROM), will make it possible to set the time on the printer using the M905 command. Uptime (since last reset/power-on) could be read out via the menu - or maybe in the printer firmware message (M115). Whenever the printer is reset/rebooted, the currect timestamp can be read from the RTC and stored in EEPROM. When uptime info is needed, it is a question of reading the RTC and subtract the stored timestamp - thereby having the uptime available. If uptime can be retrieved by using one of the internal timers in the code, that might be a valid option as well.

boelle commented 5 years ago

i cant see the benefit of uptime or timestamps

i dont even look at serial after rpi3 and octoprint came to see the day of light

7eggert commented 5 years ago

Uptimes / Timestamps have as much benefit as RGB LED. But I just encountered a reason to use the RTC / external EEPROM: One of the users of my favorite forum seems to have a b0rken EEPROM.

Edit: OTOH I2C EEPROM seems to already be available.