Solved advice on troubleshooting extruder

Sounds like you covered all the bases.
You failed to mention the printer, but a beta or R1 can use a standard RAMPS 1.4 while the R1+ needs a custom one from Robo (good luck) or to have a little conversion done to swap back to a standard one.

 

It is not really a huge deal since it is entirely just slightly different wiring locations. The R1+ RAMPS uses less connectors and they are renumbered slightly different from a standard one. @Geof can comment on the details, but it is really more of a "landing the wires on the new connectors" effort than it is anything else. All of the same leads are used -- extruder heater power, bed heater power, thermistors, stepper motors, etc. they just (in some cases) go to slightly different connectors. I think he did a pretty good job of documenting it, but he can answer to any questions you have.

 

Yea, they are not the cheapest answer. A standard RAMPS 1.4 can cost as little as $15. I DO STRONGLY suggest that you buy at least two since they are at that price sometimes prone to defects ... I went through three to get one working earlier this year (got my money back on the dead ones -- thank you Prime) but it is annoying.

 

Hello @Bultmann . The conversion is very easy and I think between the people who have done it and added thoughts on parts that were confusing it has been edited to a very easy how to. Most complex part was making sure you move the wires one at a time from the old ramps to the new ramps so you dont get confused as to what wire is what . Easy peasy. Reach out if you run into a snag or have any questions.