Running mini over night  

RE: Running mini over night

I have run my minis all weekend nearly 24/7.  There are risks, but I suspect they are minimal.  

RE: Running mini over night

I'm running mine overnight all the time. Never had an issue, nor would I expect any.

RE: Running mini over night

A remote monitor option (web/security/pi camera) or similar as well as a remote shutoff solution would help to reduce risks further.

As well as having a firealarm nearby the printers.

RE: Running mini over night

I run my Mini overnight . Once the first layer is down I’m happy to leave it to continue. The only problem I had was the print becoming detached from the bed and leaving a mess. Now I remember to leave a brim if I think the model shape would otherwise cause slippage. 

RE: Running mini over night

It is possible for 3D printers to catch fire. The fact that 100 people run it overnight and it has not caught fire doesn't mean that much to the 101st person who's setup, usage and luck is not the same as the first 100. So, it is basically up to what your risk tolerance is. Is it worth it to save some time vs the small chance that it burns your house down while you sleep? Of course there is risk from everything else too.

I built this so I don't have to watch it every minute while it is running:

https://sites.google.com/view/smokedetectorpowershutoff/home

but I still don't risk running it overnight. I'm pretty risk averse though. You may be different. A fire alarm is pretty inexpensive, so I'd recommend at least that. Some people even have extinguishing systems.

I've only had one spaghetti monster and never any hint of starting a fire. I would say the Mini is well made and has good protections built in. But I don't think anyone can really determine the risk, as it depends on so many things.

Regards,

Mark

RE: Running mini over night

@mark-7

There are commercial options available.  

https://www.zoro.com/pioneering-technology-smoke-alarm-for-use-with-microwave-pti-sts/i/G1087433/

RE: Running mini over night

Here is one made fro 3D printers:

https://www.tindie.com/products/niujl123/smoke-alarm-for-3d-printer/

RE: Running mini over night

Posted by: @3dk

I run my Mini overnight . Once the first layer is down I’m happy to leave it to continue. The only problem I had was the print becoming detached from the bed and leaving a mess. Now I remember to leave a brim if I think the model shape would otherwise cause slippage. 

 

In general, this makes sense.  

RE: Running mini over night

Posted by: @cwbullet

There are commercial options available.  

https://www.zoro.com/pioneering-technology-smoke-alarm-for-use-with-microwave-pti-sts/i/G1087433/

Here is one made fro 3D printers:

https://www.tindie.com/products/niujl123/smoke-alarm-for-3d-printer/

 

What I put together is made of UL listed parts and cost me about $80. Those two look interesting, but like many things the listings provide very little information. All the stuff I used comes with detailed information and it definitely does work. A blob of filament stuck on the nozzle that heated up and let off some fumes was enough to set it off. Since I'm doing this out of an abundance of caution, I'd rather use parts with a provenance. I've soured on cheap parts from sellers with no traceability and no data, as you may have noticed from some of my other posts. I generally don't buy stuff if I can't research everything about it.

Regards,

Mark

RE: Running mini over night

I have no issues with my mini running overnight, and have many times. I do have a smoke detector nearby (installed for the printer about two feet away from it) that should wake me. I am still not at the comfort level of leaving anything that reaches the temperatures of a 3d printer unattended while away from home. In the end these are all software driven and if the software crashed in a state that the mosfets were left in the on position things probably wouldn't be pretty. 3d printers could probably be made safer by having thermal cut out fuses in the hot end and bed, rated for some temp slightly above the max printing temp that if tripped would cut power to the entire printer.

RE: Running mini over night

Really wouldn't be difficult or expensive to do these thermal fuses. two ways to do it. 2 fuses and run all the printer current through cables dedicated to the fuses. Probably the most robust option, but then you have thick gauge cables you have to run to the hot end/bed. Or do a relay on the controller board with the fuses in series of the relay coil. Would only need thin gauge cable capable of the current the relay needs. If all is good on application of power it goes though the fuses and relay coil, closes the relay and powers up the rest of the printer. If there's a thermal fault, the relay opens and cuts power to the printer.

RE: Running mini over night

@d0ug

Interesting idea.