# Need help tried getting picsender to work for jtech and lost easel **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Created:** [May 6, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451 "2017-05-06T18:35:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 6:35pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/1 "2017-05-06T18:35:17Z")
Had the machine running fine with Easel after new garage computer hard drive and reinstalling it all. Tried adding pic sender so I could run the laser with on off commands since I have not had any luck with easel for that and thats where the problems started. I lost connection to easel and after reinstalling easel local it came back until I connected to pic sender again and this time easel wont connect even with reinstalled grbl. I could not get pic sender to run the quick test file I made until flashing the xcarve with the jtech grbl and now picsender sends the file but when I jog the machine seems left and right are backwards and when I run the file it does not control laser on off and just makes a diagonal burn from bottom left to top right and I have to unplug USB to make it stop since I assume it will go beyond the machine limits if I let it continue. I still cannot connect to Easel and setup my machine. I have no clue where to go from here to make either one work now. I can connect the the machine with xloader and picsender and it shows up on COM5 on the computer but Easel is now useless and picsender doesnt seem to function correct. ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 6:36pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/2 "2017-05-06T18:36:02Z")
[Quick Engrave 1.gcode](https://cdck-file-uploads-canada1.s3.dualstack.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/flex009/uploads/inventables/original/3X/a/1/a1ccd015a9b1482b521d90b5b7f9601ba69364ad.gcode) (18.8 KB) ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 6:50pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/3 "2017-05-06T18:50:02Z")
Also noticed the machine bumps the motors every 6 seconds with no software connected to it when it bumps the 3 green lights on the board flicker ever time it bumps. I just uninstalled the device in the device manager then reinstalled it and still no easel connection. ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:06pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/4 "2017-05-06T19:06:23Z")
I just sent that G-code file to my test system with PicSender 2.7.4 and UGCS 1.0.9 and did not have any problems with either sender. No errors. Do you know how to use the Arduino IDE serial monitor? ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:26pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/5 "2017-05-06T19:26:41Z")
no clue I also downloaded the new GUI version of UGS which is a nightly build and it connects and sees the Arduino but cant seem to get it functioning right either ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/6 "2017-05-06T19:31:06Z")
I just tested your gcode file with PicSender & Larry’s MultiMode grbl 1.0c also and it runs fine. I suspect the issue your having with connecting to Easel is, your grbl settings are not set correctly for it. With two LaserMode versions of grbl, PicSender changes the grbl settings automatically based on which Mode (Spindle or Laser) you have selected, but it needs to be setup properly. Without knowing what version of grbl your using, it’s hard to help you get this resolved. If you do not have Larry’s grbl flashed to your controller, I suggest you do so. The hex download is here: [https://community.inventables.com/t/xcarve-jtech-grbl-update-11-12-2016/28943](https://community.inventables.com/t/xcarve-jtech-grbl-update-11-12-2016/28943) There are setup instructions for PicSender & the grbl settings here: > [@Xcarve\_JTech\_grbl (usage notes)](https://community.inventables.com/t/xcarve-jtech-grbl-usage-notes/29917): > > For those of you that use multiple programs to send your g-code to the X-carve remember that the grbl settings are persistent even through a power off cycle. Be careful to make sure that you have the correct parameters loaded into grbl when you start a laser or spindle job. If you use PicSender exclusively, all you need to do is to select the applicable mode and PicSender will take care of loading the proper grbl parameters for that job. If you leave PicSender to use an alternate method of send… The two grbl setting text files are in C:\ProgramData\PicGRBL for manually editing them in a text editor like Notepad. ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:45pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/7 "2017-05-06T19:45:36Z")
I keep seeing talk about settings and saving and changing and I have no clue where any of these settings are or are supposed to go. I downloaded larrys grbl but now xloader is saying cant connect to port ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/8 "2017-05-06T19:47:57Z")
Reading that 2nd link now hopefully figure out what and where to change but I still dont understand how or why I lost easel ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/9 "2017-05-06T19:57:10Z")
Closed the web browser and xloader was able to connect maybe I had an easel tab open I have no clue but new grbl appears to connect and work better now I will try the test file again ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/10 "2017-05-06T20:00:45Z")
Here is information on what the individual grbl settings do and how to configure them. > **[Grbl v1.1 Configuration](https://github.com/gnea/grbl/wiki/Grbl-v1.1-Configuration)** > > An open source, embedded, high performance g-code-parser and CNC milling controller written in optimized C that will run on a straight Arduino - gnea/grbl ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:03pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/11 "2017-05-06T20:03:09Z")
For some reason the laser is always on no longer seems to be controlled by the pwm but i manually turned it on and the test file made the first letter only which I assume is because its the trial version? Is the laser always on when turned on because I need to change settings or is there something wrong with the laser possibly since easel no longer turned it on or off with spindle control when it was working? Last summer I ran a test file and the laser was doing on and off through easel as spindle on off but since I had it out the last couple weeks once it warmed up here enough to play it is always on when switched on ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/12 "2017-05-06T20:05:08Z")
There is a switch on the laser control board that selects CW (continuous wave) or PWM control. Make sure that switch is not set for CW. ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:07pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/13 "2017-05-06T20:07:18Z")
It was, must have bumped it. Thanks Larry on less problem to solve ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:13pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/14 "2017-05-06T20:13:54Z")
scratch that the laser does not turn on now with laser or spindle selected in picsender ---
**Author:** ![ErikJenkins](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/erikjenkins/32/84368_2.png) [@ErikJenkins](https://community.inventables.com/u/ErikJenkins)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/15 "2017-05-06T20:22:19Z")
If you have removed the power from the laser you must hit the reset switch for it to work again. ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:22pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/16 "2017-05-06T20:22:34Z")
So to use picsender safely I need to change files somewhere with the spindle laser control peramiters and soft limits for a 1000mm machine. I have no clue how to do either or where this is done still. I see the file posted by Lary but it says 500mm machine so I assume the soft limits will be wrong and is this something that only needs to be done in pic sender or do I need to set soft limits in easel somewhere because of the jtech grbl killing my homing switches? I guess once I get pic sender all working they way it should I will worry about easel connecting after since I would still like to utilize it as well ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/17 "2017-05-06T20:23:25Z")
I did reset it and its on when switched to CW but no control through pwm for some reason ---
**Author:** ![LarryM](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/larrym/32/51450_2.png) [@LarryM](https://community.inventables.com/u/LarryM)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:23pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/18 "2017-05-06T20:23:28Z")
Here are the settings that I use for testing the laser code with my 1.0c Some of them will be different for your machine, How do your settings compare to these? $0=30 (step pulse, usec) $1=255 (step idle delay, msec) $2=0 (step port invert mask:00000000) $3=3 (dir port invert mask:00000011) $4=0 (step enable invert, bool) $5=0 (limit pins invert, bool) $6=0 (probe pin invert, bool) $10=18 (status report mask:01110011) $11=0.005 (junction deviation, mm) $12=0.002 (arc tolerance, mm) $13=0 (report inches, bool) $20=1 (soft limits, bool) $21=0 (hard limits, bool) $22=1 (homing cycle, bool) $23=3 (homing dir invert mask:00000011) $24=25.000 (homing feed, mm/min) $25=750.000 (homing seek, mm/min) $26=250 (homing debounce, msec) $27=1.000 (homing pull-off, mm) $30=255. (rpm max) $31=0. (rpm min) $32=1 (laser mode, bool) $100=40.000 (x, step/mm) $101=40.000 (y, step/mm) $102=188.947 (z, step/mm) $110=7650.000 (x max rate, mm/min) $111=7650.000 (y max rate, mm/min) $112=2540.000 (z max rate, mm/min) $120=8000.000 (x accel, mm/sec^2) $121=8000.000 (y accel, mm/sec^2) $122=150.000 (z accel, mm/sec^2) $130=290.000 (x max travel, mm) $131=290.000 (y max travel, mm) $132=88.000 (z max travel, mm) > [@PicSender G-code sender](https://community.inventables.com/t/picsender-g-code-sender/34307/101): > > I was about to type in an expanded explanation of how PicsSender manages the grbl parameters, and thought that it might be some benefit beyond the thread I was in at the moment, so I decided to place the response here and link to it from the other thread. For this thread I’m using screenshots from the 2.7.4 version of PicSender. Here is the startup window, after I have homed my machine: To move to the window that manages the grbl parameters press the gold “GRBL” button at the top r… ---
**Author:** ![RyanEdwards](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/ryanedwards/32/38826_2.png) [@RyanEdwards](https://community.inventables.com/u/RyanEdwards)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:29pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/19 "2017-05-06T20:29:15Z")
where do I find those settings? ---
**Author:** ![picengravertoo](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex009/user_avatar/community.inventables.com/picengravertoo/32/45297_2.png) [@picengravertoo](https://community.inventables.com/u/picengravertoo)\ **Post date:** [May 6, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451/20 "2017-05-06T20:30:40Z")
> [@RyanEdwards](#): > > I have no clue how to do either or where this is done still. In the Demo, the GRBL menu is disabled, so you need to make the grbl setting changes in > [@picengravertoo](#): > > C:\ProgramData\PicGRBL > [@RyanEdwards](#): > > where do I find those settings? Select the $$ button. [Next page](https://community.inventables.com/t/need-help-tried-getting-picsender-to-work-for-jtech-and-lost-easel/37451.md?page=2)