Recreator 3D X2 Mod

I did this Re-Creator mod with a spare Ender 3 1.1.4 board i had lying around that I had flashed to Klipper. This allowed me to to run the Recreator off an Orange Pi Zero 2 that I also had lying around. 

The 2 hot ends are mounted on 1" aluminum stock that I got at the hardware store.  I had to use silicon socks on the hot ends or it wouldn't reach temperature due to the aluminum. 

With Klipper it was possible to configure the board to think that I had 2 extruders, hooking the 2nd one up the pins normally used for the bed heater/thermistor.  

I wired 2 Creality extruder stepper motors in parallel but I flipped the wiring completely on one of them, so it would mirror the other.  I then use an elongated version of the stepper gear to tie them both together.  In order to provide more torque, I turned up the amperage on the stepper pot switch as indicated in the provided image.  This may be different on another board.

IF you turn up your pot switch your stepper driver will get HOT.  That concerned me so I put a fan on it.  See my config below as I enable the fan while pulling.  You may or may not want this.

Keep in mind please that Creality steppers have unique wiring.  Please research how your steppers are wired if they are of a different manufacturer before attempting.

Here is my Klipper config and macros to pullstrude:

!!! set your pins as you wish.  These may not be your pins.  Any stepper pin on your board can be configured as an extruder

[extruder]
max_extrude_only_distance: 99999.0
step_pin: PB1
dir_pin: !PB0
enable_pin: !PD6
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 33.683
nozzle_diameter: 0.400
filament_diameter: 1.750
heater_pin: PD5
sensor_type: EPCOS 100K B57560G104F
sensor_pin: PA7
control: pid
# tuned for stock hardware with 200 degree Celsius target
pid_Kp: 21.527
pid_Ki: 1.063
pid_Kd: 108.982
min_temp: 0
max_temp: 260

[extruder1]
step_pin: PB3
dir_pin: PB2
enable_pin: !PA5
microsteps: 16
rotation_distance: 33.683
nozzle_diameter: 0.400
filament_diameter: 1.750
heater_pin: PD4
sensor_type: EPCOS 100K B57560G104F
sensor_pin: PA6
control: pid
# tuned for stock hardware with 50 degree Celsius target
pid_Kp: 54.027
pid_Ki: 0.770
pid_Kd: 948.182
min_temp: 0
max_temp: 260

the rest of my config:

[force_move]  ##enable this to force klipper to move steppers without homing
enable_force_move: True

[idle_timeout] ##enable this to leave your hot end on in case of a fault
timeout: 40000

[gcode_macro heat_for_bottle]
gcode:
   M104 S240 T0 #heat first extruder (i chose 240c, you can set it as you wish)
   M104 S240 T1  #heat 2nd extruder
   M109 S240 T1 #wait for 2nd extruder to reach temp 
   M106 S240 # set fan to be at about 95%

[gcode_macro pull_a_bottle]
gcode:
   {% set i = 0 %}
   {% for i in range(999) %}
       HEAT_FOR_BOTTLE
       M117 Pulling a bottle or two
       PULLING_LOOP
   {% endfor %}
   
[gcode_macro pulling_loop]
gcode:
   FORCE_MOVE STEPPER=stepper_x DISTANCE=-15000 VELOCITY=6 ACCEL=1000  #this may or may not be a negative value depending on how your steppers are wired.  Test before use and adjust accordingly :)
   
[gcode_macro test_steppers]
gcode:
   FORCE_MOVE STEPPER=extruder DISTANCE=-250 VELOCITY=6 ACCEL=1000

… and for the LCD, so I can pull with just one button:

### menu main ###
[menu __main]
type: list
name: Main

## Disable Octoprint menu option
[menu __main __octoprint]
type: disabled

## Disable SDCard menu option
[menu __main __sdcard]
type: disabled

## Disable Tune menu option
[menu __main __tune]
type: disabled

### menu print ###
[menu __main __pull]
type: command
index: 1
name: Pull
gcode:
   PULL_A_BOTTLE
   
### menu print ###
[menu __main __preheat]
type: command
index: 2
name: Preheat Extruders
gcode:
   HEAT_FOR_BOTTLE
   
### menu print ###
[menu __main __restart]
type: command
index: 3
name: Restart Klipper
gcode:
   FIRMWARE_RESTART
 

I am still working out bugs, but I have doubled my ability to pull bottles with this mod.

Cheers, and I hope you enjoy.

Also.  I am not an engineer or a scholar.  I just do stuff in my basement for fun.  If you reproduce my efforts it is at your own risk and I take no responsibility for warranties injuries or fires of any kind.  If you have suggestions for me hit me up!  I love to learn and will absorb your knowledge like a sponge :)

Added second stepper motor (wired in parallel but with flipped connector wires on the motor side)

Added longer stepper motor gear

Flipped stepper bracket