Unstable Hot End Temperature
Being new to 3D printing please forgive my noobness but after a few inital happy weeks with my MK2S kit I've just noticed an apparent instability in the hot end temperature and wondered if anybody could provide some pointers?
Using the standard Prusa profile for PLA, I've observed the hot end fluctuating between 220 and 213 throughout the course of the print with the period of one cycle (213-220-213) taking about 16 seconds.
So, bad thermistor? In need of PID tuning? Within acceptable limits? Funky gcode? I'm pretty sure the problem has existed since assembly but the range of variation has increased. It used to be that I saw the temp fluctuate by a degree or two which (and here comes the noob bit) I assumed was normal rounding errors or feedback looping. However now obviously the range is much greater.
If anybody has advice about what types of thing I should be investigating it would be much appreciated and so thanks in advance for any help you might be able to give.
Re: Unstable Hot End Temperature
This is normal behavior for the default printer (a bit more than mine was but close).
Doing the PID calibration in the new firmware will stabilize it.
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Re: Unstable Hot End Temperature
I guess the naked hotend and the material-fan blowing air against it prevents a really stable temperature. Getting an e3D Silicon Sock will can improve these fluctuation though. I had temperature oscillations of around 3-4°C and with the sock it's really sticking to the temp with only 0.1°C differences. Be sure to do a PID-calibration after install too.
http://e3d-online.com/V6-Sock-Kit-3-Pack
http://e3d-online.com/V6-Sock-Pro