Hot Z motors when system is idle
I was cleaning my nozzle today and while I was moving the system back from it's enclosure I discovered both of the z axis motors are warm to the touch. They shouldn't be doing anything, The system is on but not printing. I left it a couple hours and came back and they are still warm. Has anyone else experienced this? Can others on the MK4S check if you're having a similar experience? I am running FW 6.0.4
Thank you
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
This is a normal phenomenon. To keep the X-axis alignment against the pad intact, the Z-axis motors are powered as long as the printer is turned on.
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
This is wasteful from an energy perspective. It can result in many hours of unnecessary current draw...is there a feature request I can vote up to eliminate this?
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
There are several historically on the appropriate github projects. First on the Mk3 etc and now on the Buddy based ones. For example https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware-Buddy/issues/3339 or https://github.com/prusa3d/Prusa-Firmware-Buddy/pull/3760 (both of which are closed btw). This is done on purpose and is highly unlikely to be changed given how many times its been raised and closed.
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
After all, nothing prevents you from turning off the printer completely. However, when you turn it on, you will have all the axes in an undefined state. After powering on, you will need to align the X-axis with the pad (calibrate Z). The motors are energized because the Z-axis bolts are not self-locking and can rotate independently of each other after a power loss.
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
I have started powering it off.
It's irresponsible to produce a product wasting energy. I haven't dug into their sustainability report on this topic. Does Prusa is gather online time from PrusaConnect to inform their sustainability report on the carbon footprint of the systems the generate?
It is a poor user experience that the power switch is at the back, and hidden from the user perspective. My printer is in an enclosure, I have to reach in through the area where the print head is, it's an irritating experience and sometimes when it powers on it moves the axes which is a risk to getting my forearm pinched. The MK4S should have moved this switch to the front panel.
I haven't ever done any alignment after powering it on. I think the printer does all that automatically thankfully.
RE: Hot Z motors when system is idle
On my MK3S, room temp 72F, the motors while in standby are 76F, on my MK4S, in standby, temp is 96F. So the MK3S is a whole lot cooler.