Getting Thermal Printer Library to work properly on Photon

trytofly · January 2, 2021, 3:24pm

Hello People of Particle!,

I am trying to get my Thermal Printer to work properly with a revised Adafruit_Thermal Library.
The one that is currently available didn’t compile and after a bit of trial and error I got it to work with my code, but I can’t seem to get anything other then printer.println() and printer.justify(‘C’) to work.

I want to define the heatTime to get a better print, but it wont change anything no matter what I try.
I also tried to change Heating dots and Heat interval in Adafruit_Thermal.cpp with no change.

Could you help me find my error?
I am very new to coding and there might be a few mistakes, but I can’t seem to find documentation on this…

My Hardware:

Photon on OS 2.0.0
Printer: GOOJPRT QR204 TTL
Power Supply: 30W, 5V, 6A (final project includes LEDs)

My Code:


#include "Particle.h"
#include "Adafruit_Thermal.h"

SYSTEM_MODE(AUTOMATIC);

// This variable is for double checking the device is communicating
bool PrinterReady = false;

int printer_RX_Pin = 0;
int printer_TX_Pin = 0;

Adafruit_Thermal printer (printer_RX_Pin, printer_TX_Pin);

void setup() {

    Serial.begin(9600);
    //Set up the Particle variable and function, then connect
    //to the Particle Cloud
    Particle.variable("PrinterReady", PrinterReady);
    Particle.function("message", receiveMessage);
    Particle.connect();
    printer.begin(255); //does not change anything in print
    PrinterReady = true;
}

void loop() {
  // not needed in this example
}

int receiveMessage(String msg) {//print received message
  printer.wake();       // MUST call wake() before printing again, even if reset
  // For debug purposes, send an event saying we received a message
  Particle.publish("message-received", msg, PUBLIC);
  // Print the message with some ascii borders (32 characters wide)
  printer.feed(2); // is not doing anything
  printer.justify('C'); // works
  printer.println(msg); // test-message to seperate examples
  printer.feed(20); // is not doing anything
  printer.println(msg); // test-message to seperate examples
  printer.println('/n'); // prints weird characters
  printer.println(msg); // test-message to seperate examples
  printer.feedRows(5); // is not doing anything
  printer.println(msg); // test-message to seperate examples
  printer.println(""); // only thing that works like a feed...
  printer.println(""); // only thing that works like a feed...
  
  // Reset
  printer.setDefault();
  printer.sleep();      // Tell printer to sleep
  // When the function is done, return 1 so the sender knows it worked
  return 1;
}

Adafruit_Thermal.h:

/*************************************************************************
  This is an Arduino library for the Adafruit Thermal Printer.
  Pick one up at --> http://www.adafruit.com/products/597
  These printers use TTL serial to communicate, 2 pins are required.

  Adafruit invests time and resources providing this open source code.
  Please support Adafruit and open-source hardware by purchasing products
  from Adafruit!

  Written by Limor Fried/Ladyada for Adafruit Industries.
  MIT license, all text above must be included in any redistribution.
 *************************************************************************/

#ifndef Thermal_h
#define Thermal_h

#define PARTICLE	1		//Temporary until this is done by the IDE/CLI

#include "Particle.h"

#define pgm_read_byte(addr) (*(const unsigned char *)(addr))
#define pgm_read_word(addr) (*(const unsigned short *)(addr))

// Barcode types
#define UPC_A   0
#define UPC_E   1
#define EAN13   2
#define EAN8    3
#define CODE39  4
#define I25     5
#define CODEBAR 6
#define CODE93  7
#define CODE128 8
#define CODE11  9
#define MSI    10


#define SERIAL_IMPL      USARTSerial
#define PRINTER_PRINT(a) _printer->write(a);


class Adafruit_Thermal : public Print {

 public:

  Adafruit_Thermal(int RX_Pin, int TX_Pin);

  void
    begin(int heatTime=200),
    reset(),
    setDefault(),
    test(),
    testPage(),

    normal(),
    inverseOn(),
    inverseOff(),
    upsideDownOn(),
    upsideDownOff(),
    doubleHeightOn(),
    doubleHeightOff(),
    doubleWidthOn(),
    doubleWidthOff(),
    boldOn(),
    boldOff(),
    underlineOn(uint8_t weight=1),
    underlineOff(),
    strikeOn(),
    strikeOff(),

    justify(char value),
    feed(uint8_t x=1),
    feedRows(uint8_t),
    flush(),
    online(),
    offline(),
    sleep(),
    sleepAfter(uint8_t seconds),
    wake(),
    listen(),

    setSize(char value),
    setLineHeight(int val=32),

    printBarcode(char * text, uint8_t type),
    setBarcodeHeight(int val=50),

    printBitmap(int w, int h, const uint8_t *bitmap, bool fromProgMem = true),
    printBitmap(int w, int h, Stream *stream),
    printBitmap(Stream *stream),

    timeoutSet(unsigned long x),
    timeoutWait(),
    setTimes(unsigned long, unsigned long),

    setCharSpacing(int spacing), // Not working
    tab();                       // Not working

  bool hasPaper();

size_t write(uint8_t c);
 protected:

  SERIAL_IMPL
    *_printer;
  uint8_t
    prevByte,      // Last character issued to printer
    column,        // Last horizontal column printed
    maxColumn,     // Page width (output 'wraps' at this point)
    charHeight,    // Height of characters, in 'dots'
    lineSpacing,   // Inter-line spacing (not line height), in dots
    barcodeHeight; // Barcode height in dots, not including text
  unsigned long
    resumeTime,    // Wait until micros() exceeds this before sending byte
    dotPrintTime,  // Time to print a single dot line, in microseconds
    dotFeedTime;   // Time to feed a single dot line, in microseconds
  int
    printMode,
    _RX_Pin,
    _TX_Pin;
  void
    setPrintMode(uint8_t mask),
    unsetPrintMode(uint8_t mask),
    writePrintMode(),
    writeBytes(uint8_t a),
    writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b),
    writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b, uint8_t c),
    writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b, uint8_t c, uint8_t d);
};

#endif // Thermal_h

Adafruit_Thermal.cpp:

/*************************************************************************
  This is an Arduino library for the Adafruit Thermal Printer.
  Pick one up at --> http://www.adafruit.com/products/597
  These printers use TTL serial to communicate, 2 pins are required.

  Adafruit invests time and resources providing this open source code.
  Please support Adafruit and open-source hardware by purchasing products
  from Adafruit!

  Written by Limor Fried/Ladyada for Adafruit Industries.
  MIT license, all text above must be included in any redistribution.
 *************************************************************************/
#include "Adafruit_Thermal.h"

// Though most of these printers are factory configured for 19200 baud
// operation, a few rare specimens instead work at 9600.  If so, change
// this constant.  This will NOT make printing slower!  The physical
// print and feed mechanisms are the limiting factor, not the port speed.
#define BAUDRATE  9600


// Number of microseconds to issue one byte to the printer.  11 bits
// (not 8) to accommodate idle, start and stop bits.  Idle time might
// be unnecessary, but erring on side of caution here.
#define BYTE_TIME (11L * 1000000L / BAUDRATE)

// Because there's no flow control between the printer and Arduino,
// special care must be taken to avoid overrunning the printer's buffer.
// Serial output is throttled based on serial speed as well as an estimate
// of the device's print and feed rates (relatively slow, being bound to
// moving parts and physical reality).  After an operation is issued to
// the printer (e.g. bitmap print), a timeout is set before which any
// other printer operations will be suspended.  This is generally more
// efficient than using delay() in that it allows the parent code to
// continue with other duties (e.g. receiving or decoding an image)
// while the printer physically completes the task.

// This method sets the estimated completion time for a just-issued task.
void Adafruit_Thermal::timeoutSet(unsigned long x) {
  resumeTime = micros() + x;
}

// This function waits (if necessary) for the prior task to complete.
void Adafruit_Thermal::timeoutWait() {
  while((long)(micros() - resumeTime) < 0L); // Rollover-proof
}

// Printer performance may vary based on the power supply voltage,
// thickness of paper, phase of the moon and other seemingly random
// variables.  This method sets the times (in microseconds) for the
// paper to advance one vertical 'dot' when printing and feeding.
// For example, in the default initialized state, normal-sized text is
// 24 dots tall and the line spacing is 32 dots, so the time for one
// line to be issued is approximately 24 * print time + 8 * feed time.
// The default print and feed times are based on a random test unit,
// but as stated above your reality may be influenced by many factors.
// This lets you tweak the timing to avoid excessive delays and/or
// overrunning the printer buffer.
void Adafruit_Thermal::setTimes(unsigned long p, unsigned long f) {
  dotPrintTime = p;
  dotFeedTime  = f;
}

// Constructor
Adafruit_Thermal::Adafruit_Thermal(int RX_Pin, int TX_Pin) {
  //For PARTICLE, RX/TX pins not used since using Serial1
  _RX_Pin = RX_Pin;
  _TX_Pin = TX_Pin;
}

// The next four helper methods are used when issuing configuration
// commands, printing bitmaps or barcodes, etc.  Not when printing text.

void Adafruit_Thermal::writeBytes(uint8_t a) {
  timeoutWait();
  PRINTER_PRINT(a);
  timeoutSet(BYTE_TIME);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b) {
  timeoutWait();
  PRINTER_PRINT(a);
  PRINTER_PRINT(b);
  timeoutSet(2 * BYTE_TIME);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b, uint8_t c) {
  timeoutWait();
  PRINTER_PRINT(a);
  PRINTER_PRINT(b);
  PRINTER_PRINT(c);
  timeoutSet(3 * BYTE_TIME);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::writeBytes(uint8_t a, uint8_t b, uint8_t c, uint8_t d) {
  timeoutWait();
  PRINTER_PRINT(a);
  PRINTER_PRINT(b);
  PRINTER_PRINT(c);
  PRINTER_PRINT(d);
  timeoutSet(3 * BYTE_TIME);
}

// The underlying method for all high-level printing (e.g. println()).
// The inherited Print class handles the rest!
#if ((ARDUINO >= 100) || (PARTICLE == 1))
size_t Adafruit_Thermal::write(uint8_t c) {
#else
void Adafruit_Thermal::write(uint8_t c) {
#endif

  if(c != 0x13) { // Strip carriage returns
    timeoutWait();
    PRINTER_PRINT(c);
    unsigned long d = BYTE_TIME;
    if((c == '\n') || (column == maxColumn)) { // If newline or wrap
      d += (prevByte == '\n') ?
        ((charHeight+lineSpacing) * dotFeedTime) :             // Feed line
        ((charHeight*dotPrintTime)+(lineSpacing*dotFeedTime)); // Text line
      column = 0;
      c      = '\n'; // Treat wrap as newline on next pass
    } else {
      column++;
    }
    timeoutSet(d);
    prevByte = c;
  }

#if ((ARDUINO >= 100) || (PARTICLE == 1))
  return 1;
#endif
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::begin(int heatTime) {
#if defined (PARTICLE)
  _printer = &Serial1;				//For PARTICLE, use Serial1 Tx, Rx pins
  _printer->begin(BAUDRATE);
#else
  _printer = new SERIAL_IMPL(_RX_Pin, _TX_Pin);
  _printer->begin(BAUDRATE);
#endif

  // The printer can't start receiving data immediately upon power up --
  // it needs a moment to cold boot and initialize.  Allow at least 1/2
  // sec of uptime before printer can receive data.
  timeoutSet(500000L);

  wake();
  reset();

  // Description of print settings from page 23 of the manual:
  // ESC 7 n1 n2 n3 Setting Control Parameter Command
  // Decimal: 27 55 n1 n2 n3
  // Set "max heating dots", "heating time", "heating interval"
  // n1 = 0-255 Max printing dots, Unit (8dots), Default: 7 (64 dots)
  // n2 = 3-255 Heating time, Unit (10us), Default: 80 (800us)
  // n3 = 0-255 Heating interval, Unit (10us), Default: 2 (20us)
  // The more max heating dots, the more peak current will cost
  // when printing, the faster printing speed. The max heating
  // dots is 8*(n1+1).  The more heating time, the more density,
  // but the slower printing speed.  If heating time is too short,
  // blank page may occur.  The more heating interval, the more
  // clear, but the slower printing speed.

  writeBytes(27, 55);   // Esc 7 (print settings)
  writeBytes(20);       // Heating dots (20=balance of darkness vs no jams)
  writeBytes(heatTime); // Library default = 255 (max)
  writeBytes(250);      // Heat interval (500 uS = slower, but darker)

  // Description of print density from page 23 of the manual:
  // DC2 # n Set printing density
  // Decimal: 18 35 n
  // D4..D0 of n is used to set the printing density.  Density is
  // 50% + 5% * n(D4-D0) printing density.
  // D7..D5 of n is used to set the printing break time.  Break time
  // is n(D7-D5)*250us.
  // (Unsure of the default value for either -- not documented)

#define printDensity   20 // 120% (? can go higher, text is darker but fuzzy)
#define printBreakTime  4 // 500 uS

  writeBytes(18, 35); // DC2 # (print density)
  writeBytes((printBreakTime << 5) | printDensity);

  dotPrintTime = 30000; // See comments near top of file for
  dotFeedTime  =  2100; // an explanation of these values.
}

// Reset printer to default state.
void Adafruit_Thermal::reset() {
  prevByte      = '\n'; // Treat as if prior line is blank
  column        = 0;
  maxColumn     = 32;
  charHeight    = 24;
  lineSpacing   = 8;
  barcodeHeight = 50;
  writeBytes(27, 64);
}

// Reset text formatting parameters.
void Adafruit_Thermal::setDefault(){
  online();
  justify('L');
  inverseOff();
  doubleHeightOff();
  setLineHeight(32);
  boldOff();
  underlineOff();
  setBarcodeHeight(50);
  setSize('s');
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::test(){
  println("Hello World!");
  feed(2);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::testPage() {
  writeBytes(18, 84);
  timeoutSet(
    dotPrintTime * 24 * 26 +      // 26 lines w/text (ea. 24 dots high)
    dotFeedTime * (8 * 26 + 32)); // 26 text lines (feed 8 dots) + blank line
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::setBarcodeHeight(int val) { // Default is 50
  if(val < 1) val = 1;
  barcodeHeight = val;
  writeBytes(29, 104, val);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::printBarcode(char * text, uint8_t type) {
  int  i = 0;
  byte c;

  writeBytes(29,  72, 2);    // Print label below barcode
  writeBytes(29, 119, 3);    // Barcode width
  writeBytes(29, 107, type); // Barcode type (listed in .h file)
  do { // Copy string + NUL terminator
    writeBytes(c = text[i++]);
  } while(c);
  timeoutSet((barcodeHeight + 40) * dotPrintTime);
  prevByte = '\n';
  feed(2);
}

// === Character commands ===

#define INVERSE_MASK       (1 << 1)
#define UPDOWN_MASK        (1 << 2)
#define BOLD_MASK          (1 << 3)
#define DOUBLE_HEIGHT_MASK (1 << 4)
#define DOUBLE_WIDTH_MASK  (1 << 5)
#define STRIKE_MASK        (1 << 6)

void Adafruit_Thermal::setPrintMode(uint8_t mask) {
  printMode |= mask;
  writePrintMode();
  charHeight = (printMode & DOUBLE_HEIGHT_MASK) ? 48 : 24;
  maxColumn  = (printMode & DOUBLE_WIDTH_MASK ) ? 16 : 32;
}
void Adafruit_Thermal::unsetPrintMode(uint8_t mask) {
  printMode &= ~mask;
  writePrintMode();
  charHeight = (printMode & DOUBLE_HEIGHT_MASK) ? 48 : 24;
  maxColumn  = (printMode & DOUBLE_WIDTH_MASK ) ? 16 : 32;
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::writePrintMode() {
  writeBytes(27, 33, printMode);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::normal() {
  printMode = 0;
  writePrintMode();
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::inverseOn(){
  setPrintMode(INVERSE_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::inverseOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(INVERSE_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::upsideDownOn(){
  setPrintMode(UPDOWN_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::upsideDownOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(UPDOWN_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::doubleHeightOn(){
  setPrintMode(DOUBLE_HEIGHT_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::doubleHeightOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(DOUBLE_HEIGHT_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::doubleWidthOn(){
  setPrintMode(DOUBLE_WIDTH_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::doubleWidthOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(DOUBLE_WIDTH_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::strikeOn(){
  setPrintMode(STRIKE_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::strikeOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(STRIKE_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::boldOn(){
  setPrintMode(BOLD_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::boldOff(){
  unsetPrintMode(BOLD_MASK);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::justify(char value){
  uint8_t pos = 0;

  switch(toupper(value)) {
    case 'L': pos = 0; break;
    case 'C': pos = 1; break;
    case 'R': pos = 2; break;
  }

  writeBytes(0x1B, 0x61, pos);
}

// Feeds by the specified number of lines
void Adafruit_Thermal::feed(uint8_t x){
  // The datasheet claims sending bytes 27, 100, <x> will work, but
  // it feeds much more than that.  So it's done manually:
  while(x--) write('\n');
}

// Feeds by the specified number of individual  pixel rows
void Adafruit_Thermal::feedRows(uint8_t rows) {
  writeBytes(27, 74, rows);
  timeoutSet(rows * dotFeedTime);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::flush() {
  writeBytes(12);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::setSize(char value){
  uint8_t size;

  switch(toupper(value)) {
   default:  // Small: standard width and height
    size       = 0x00;
    charHeight = 24;
    maxColumn  = 32;
    break;
   case 'M': // Medium: double height
    size       = 0x01;
    charHeight = 48;
    maxColumn  = 32;
    break;
   case 'L': // Large: double width and height
    size       = 0x11;
    charHeight = 48;
    maxColumn  = 16;
    break;
  }

  writeBytes(29, 33, size, 10);
  prevByte = '\n'; // Setting the size adds a linefeed
}

// Underlines of different weights can be produced:
// 0 - no underline
// 1 - normal underline
// 2 - thick underline
void Adafruit_Thermal::underlineOn(uint8_t weight) {
  writeBytes(27, 45, weight);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::underlineOff() {
  underlineOn(0);
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::printBitmap(
 int w, int h, const uint8_t *bitmap, bool fromProgMem) {
  int rowBytes, rowBytesClipped, rowStart, chunkHeight, x, y, i;

  rowBytes        = (w + 7) / 8; // Round up to next byte boundary
  rowBytesClipped = (rowBytes >= 48) ? 48 : rowBytes; // 384 pixels max width

  for(i=rowStart=0; rowStart < h; rowStart += 255) {
    // Issue up to 255 rows at a time:
    chunkHeight = h - rowStart;
    if(chunkHeight > 255) chunkHeight = 255;

    writeBytes(18, 42, chunkHeight, rowBytesClipped);

    for(y=0; y < chunkHeight; y++) {
      for(x=0; x < rowBytesClipped; x++, i++) {
        PRINTER_PRINT(fromProgMem ? pgm_read_byte(bitmap + i) : *(bitmap+i));
      }
      i += rowBytes - rowBytesClipped;
    }
    timeoutSet(chunkHeight * dotPrintTime);
  }
  prevByte = '\n';
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::printBitmap(int w, int h, Stream *stream) {
  int rowBytes, rowBytesClipped, rowStart, chunkHeight, x, y, i, c;

  rowBytes        = (w + 7) / 8; // Round up to next byte boundary
  rowBytesClipped = (rowBytes >= 48) ? 48 : rowBytes; // 384 pixels max width

  for(rowStart=0; rowStart < h; rowStart += 255) {
    // Issue up to 255 rows at a time:
    chunkHeight = h - rowStart;
    if(chunkHeight > 255) chunkHeight = 255;

    writeBytes(18, 42, chunkHeight, rowBytesClipped);

    for(y=0; y < chunkHeight; y++) {
      for(x=0; x < rowBytesClipped; x++) {
        while((c = stream->read()) < 0);
        PRINTER_PRINT((uint8_t)c);
      }
      for(i = rowBytes - rowBytesClipped; i>0; i--) {
        while((c = stream->read()) < 0);
      }
    }
    timeoutSet(chunkHeight * dotPrintTime);
  }
  prevByte = '\n';
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::printBitmap(Stream *stream) {
  uint8_t  tmp;
  uint16_t width, height;

  tmp    =  stream->read();
  width  = (stream->read() << 8) + tmp;

  tmp    =  stream->read();
  height = (stream->read() << 8) + tmp;

  printBitmap(width, height, stream);
}

// Take the printer offline. Print commands sent after this will be
// ignored until 'online' is called.
void Adafruit_Thermal::offline(){
  writeBytes(27, 61, 0);
}

// Take the printer back online. Subsequent print commands will be obeyed.
void Adafruit_Thermal::online(){
  writeBytes(27, 61, 1);
}

// Put the printer into a low-energy state immediately.
void Adafruit_Thermal::sleep() {
  sleepAfter(1);
}

// Put the printer into a low-energy state after the given number
// of seconds.
void Adafruit_Thermal::sleepAfter(uint8_t seconds) {
  writeBytes(27, 56, seconds);
}

// Wake the printer from a low-energy state.
void Adafruit_Thermal::wake() {
  // Printer may have been idle for a very long time, during which the
  // micros() counter has rolled over.  To avoid shenanigans, reset the
  // timeout counter before issuing the wake command.
  timeoutSet(0);
  writeBytes(255);
  // Datasheet recomments a 50 mS delay before issuing further commands,
  // but in practice this alone isn't sufficient (e.g. text size/style
  // commands may still be misinterpreted on wake).  A slightly longer
  // delay, interspersed with ESC chars (no-ops) seems to help.
  for(uint8_t i=0; i<10; i++) {
    writeBytes(27);
    timeoutSet(10000L);
  }
}

// Tell the soft serial to listen. Needed if you are using multiple
// SoftSerial interfaces.
void Adafruit_Thermal::listen() {
#if !defined(PARTICLE)
  _printer->listen();
#endif
}

// Check the status of the paper using the printers self reporting
// ability. Doesn't match the datasheet...
// Returns true for paper, false for no paper.
bool Adafruit_Thermal::hasPaper() {
  writeBytes(27, 118, 0);
  
  char stat;
  // Some delay while checking.
  // Could probably be done better...
  for (int i = 0; i < 1000; i++) {
    if (_printer->available()) {
      stat = _printer->read();
      break;
    }
  }
  
  // Mask the 3 LSB, this seems to be the one we care about.
  stat = stat & 0b000100;
  
  // If it's set, no paper, if it's clear, we have paper.
  if (stat == 0b000100) {
    return false;
  } else if (stat == 0b000000){
    return true;
    
  }
  
}

void Adafruit_Thermal::setLineHeight(int val) {
  if(val < 24) val = 24;
  lineSpacing = val - 24;

  // The printer doesn't take into account the current text height
  // when setting line height, making this more akin to inter-line
  // spacing.  Default line spacing is 32 (char height of 24, line
  // spacing of 8).
  writeBytes(27, 51, val);
}

////////////////////// not working?
void Adafruit_Thermal::tab() {
  PRINTER_PRINT(9);
}
void Adafruit_Thermal::setCharSpacing(int spacing) {
  writeBytes(27, 32, 0, 10);
}
/////////////////////////

#if !defined (PARTICLE)
#if ARDUINO < 100
void *operator new(size_t size_) { return malloc(size_); }
void* operator new(size_t size_,void *ptr_) { return ptr_; }
#endif
#endif

My output with this code:

ScruffR · January 3, 2021, 11:10am

255 is the max heat time, have you tried reducing it to see whether that setting has any impact?
Have you tried other values too?
In order to establish whether this setting has any effect at all you need to test all extreme cases, not only one. When the max value doesn't render a satisfactory result it's not necessarily an indication that the setting doesn't work. Only when you see no change at all between a number of different values this could be taken for that.

trytofly · January 3, 2021, 12:53pm

Sorry I should have said that I tried different settings.
Here is an example with different settings printed out:
The rest of the code is the same as above:

void heatTimeTest (){
  printer.wake();
  printer.begin(20);
  printer.println("20");
  printer.begin(70);
  printer.println("70");
  printer.begin(130);
  printer.println("130");
  printer.begin(160);
  printer.println("160");
  printer.begin(200);
  printer.println("200");
  printer.begin(230);
  printer.println("230");
  printer.begin(255);
  printer.println("255");
  printer.setDefault();
  printer.sleep();
  printer.println("");
  printer.println("");
  printer.println("");
  printer.println("");
}

And here is the output:
I think begin() creates these symbols…
And feed() does not work in the example above, I’m not shure what I could change there…

trytofly · January 13, 2021, 4:36pm

Does somebody maybe have a library that currently works as intended with the photon?
Or can point me in the right direction?
I would really appreciate any help

trytofly · February 15, 2021, 12:19pm

Update:
I tried to control the printer directly using serial commands from its data sheet and even that only got a few commands running. So I’m assuming a faulty unit.
Either way the current library doesn’t even compile which is a problem…
I’ll be including my McGyver-compiling Library when I post the project.
Lesson learned: Do not cheap out on thermal printers.

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Getting Thermal Printer Library to work properly on Photon

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