CR motor failure on DTF Pro Inspire A3+ – How to Solve?

Question: 
I have a DTF Pro Inspire A3+ printer, which is no longer available on the website. It's about a year old and was recently out of warranty. I have had a problem since I bought it: The ink and paper lights are blinking, and the WIX program shows a CR motor failure error. I've changed the motor several times (now on my fourth one), in addition to the main board, ink control board, and dampers. The last two motors were newer, with a small circuit board on the back. The printer reports the same error after approximately two hours of printing.
 
After installing new parts, the manufacturer performed an "adjustment program" remotely, but the problem remained. The issue appears to be stemming from something overheating. I used to work as a heavy equipment and automotive technician, so if you can give me the proper instructions, I can do some diagnostics. Where do I need to probe for power consistency? So, do I back-probe the motor and check the voltage at the board? I think power flows from the switch to the board, but I'm unsure. Also, I had a paper width sensor error, an error this printer does not have on a previous printer. Swapping the encoder board for an Epson one from an old L1800 eliminated that error. Could that be connected to my problem now? L1800 and Inspire have different encoder boards.
 
Answer: Thanks for your question. I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I realize printer issues can be annoying and need urgent solutions, but I also do not want to miss out on giving you the most thorough and accurate troubleshooting steps. BCH Technologies is a highly engaged tech provider. Visit us on YouTube at https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies. Your questions and feedback help us improve what we do, both technically and content-wise.
 
Now, let's get to troubleshooting that CR motor failure issue.
 
About the CR Motor Failure
The most common reasons if your printer continuously displays a CR motor failure error after prolonged use are:
 
Motor Overheating or Inadequate Cooling

• If the failure occurs only after the device has been detonated for an extended period of use, heat build-up may play a role. Please put a small fan near the motor and see if this helps keep it running longer.

• Not all motors react to heat in the same manner. It is advised to use the RS455 motor series as the best is the 19125 model (which is rare). Alternative options are 18125, 18130, and 18140. Steer clear of 15205 as they are known to burn out quickly.

 
Power Supply Consistency

• It's a good idea to back-proble the motor and check for voltage fluctuations. Monitor voltage before and during failure.
• Inspect the power supply connection from the switch to the board. Monitoring the voltage drop across the motor can indicate resistance or degradation in the wiring or on the board.

Gear Selection and Drive Belt Condition
Wear a too-tight drive belt, possibly over-stressing the motor.
Gear teeth selection is one of the most critical aspects. But please be aware of cheap imitations. As we outlined in our YouTube video (https://youtu.be/S8mqhtQTiqs), some aftermarket gears just don't hold up, and we're developing a reliable service replacement.
Encoder Board Compatibility

• The Inspire A3+ and L1800 use slightly different encoder boards, but switching them can sometimes address sensor [related issues].
• If switching to an Epson-branded encoder fixed your paper width sensor error, it means that your original encoder board was bad. The error is not likely to be related to the CR motor failure unless the incorrect board is creating a communication error.

 
Final Notes: 
 

1. Check the Motor Temperature: If it hasn't been for a few hours, the temperature is likely to blame.
2. Test Power Supply: Check voltage loss across the motor and power supply.
3. Check Drive Elements: Replace with OEM parts if worn.
4. Try a Different Motor Model: If you are still having issues with your current motor, maybe you can switch to a 19125 motor, which will fix the issue.

 
When to Seek Professional Help
If you cannot fix the problem with these steps, you probably need to take your computer to a repair shop. We provide in-person printer diagnostics and repairs at BCH Technologies (https://bchtechnologies.com/printer-repair-service. We work on a first-come, first-served basis, and because of high demand, there may be a wait before we can check out your printer. We offer repairs of the entire unit and parts, but our prices are not the lowest. For the more DIY inclined, please visit our YouTube channel (https://youtube.com/@bchtechnologies) for many troubleshooting videos. Click the search icon next to "About" on our channel page, and your videos will appear.
Thanks for writing in again! I hope this guide helps you solve the printer problem. If you have any additional questions, please let us know. Thanks for your continued support!