Some updates since this guide:
MKS TFT touch screen with SD card guide:    • MKS TFT28 touch screen on the Ender 3  
A4988, DRV8825 and TMC2100 setup guide:    • TMC2100 guide - Stepper driver upgrad...  
TMC2208 setup guide:    • TMC2208 guide - Stepper driver upgrad...  
TMC2130 setup guide:    • TMC2130 Guide - stepper motors driver...  
LV8729 setup guide:    • LV8729 guide + comparison with TMC dr...  
Redesigned, much better electronics enclosure:    • Ender 3 upgrades: EZR to direct drive...  


Merry Christmas! Many have requested a guide to changing the Melzi mainboard to an MKS Gen L. I've put in the work to make this as simple as possible for viewers to follow.

The Makerbase MKS Gen L is cheap, yet offers a significant upgrade over the factory mainboard. Future mods will be a lot easier in terms on IO and firmware changes.

EDIT: I probably should have mentioned this has no effect on print quality.

My 3D printed housing/adaptor moves access to the mainboard underneath the printer. This is not ideal but was necessary to allow access to the USB port. At least this is easy with the hinged design. The mainboard cooling fan is now at the front, creating more room for different stepper motor drivers with taller heat sinks.

The method of upgrade shown here is the cheapest way possible. It reuses the factory LCD screen, but loses the SD card slot. If you want to retain this, explore the options on the links below.

My Creality Melzi wiring checklist: https://imgur.com/a/Zy7rdq4
My MKS Gen L Ender 3 wiring checklist: https://imgur.com/a/sRPggoY

My (updated) new case and MKS Gen L mount on Thingiverse: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:368...

Bare MKS Gen L
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QOdbXY
Banggood: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/DmD...
Aliexpress: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bcfYAn2s

MKS Gen L with A4988 stepper motor drivers
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2V4OzZD
Banggood: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/mGv...
Aliexpress: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/bmOj7TNI

MKS Gen L with A4988 stepper drivers and touch LCD:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2BDagaf
Banggood: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/Dm3...
Aliexpress: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cpCB6VDQ

LCD with SD card:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QQU7IZ
Banggood: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/G3K...
Aliexpress: http://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/LQjriys

Purchase the Ender 3 from these links:
Ender 3 Pro Banggood ($30 off with coupon 1d1c08): http://bit.ly/2OUcEyS
Ender 3 Banggood (US warehouse, Coupon: f2bf59): http://bit.ly/2Efoi6B
Ender 3 Pro Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DpkbEs
Ender 3 Amazon: https://amzn.to/2xyJ23s
Ender 3X (glass bed version): https://amzn.to/2I7dG85

Buy quality and affordable filament from X3D. Buy 3, get 1 free and a free sample pack with every order: www.x3d.com.au

Take a look around and if you like what you see, please subscribe.

Support me on Patreon:   / teachingtech  

#ender3 #upgrade #mksgenl