How to measure energy consumption of components of MK3S?
 
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Panu0110
(@panu0110)
New Member
How to measure energy consumption of components of MK3S?

Hi there,

does anyone know how to measure the energy consumption of individual components of the MK3S?

I would like to measure during the printing process how much energy the heating bed, the extruder, the motors etc. need?

Is there somewhere a guide on which points to measure this?

Thanks for your help 🙂

Posted : 03/11/2021 10:41 am
ARU
 ARU
(@aru)
Eminent Member
How to measure energy consumption of components of MK3S?

Hi,

Why not to use an energy consumption smart plug and plug the printer in it?

Posted : 03/11/2021 11:05 am
Neophyl
(@neophyl)
Illustrious Member

The usual way to measure current to thing is to put a resistor inline with what you want to measure and measure the voltage drop across it to work out the current passed.  Something that's not really easy to do in the case of the printer as it would require much rewiring.

Do what ARU suggested and fit a smart plug that allows you to monitor the printers overall power consumption.  Then use the lcd menu's to heat the bed, see what it uses,  heat the extruder , see what that uses, move an axis see what it uses etc.  The lcd allows you to control all of these individually.

Posted : 03/11/2021 11:27 am
Panu0110
(@panu0110)
New Member
Topic starter answered:
How to measure energy consumption of components of MK3S?

Thanks for the quick responses.

I want to measure it very accurately due to research purposes (I am a student).

I have a measuring device available (Fluke Norma 4000).Is there somewhere the schematic of the mainboard/ pinout  or information on which points to connect the measuring device to measure the respective components.

Thank you very much 🙂

Posted : 03/11/2021 1:10 pm
Dan Rogers
(@dan-rogers)
Noble Member
Ten bucks a month if run full time

Each of my printers adds about $10 per month to my electric bill when I'm running them nearly continuously.

Posted : 03/11/2021 1:52 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator

the norma 4000 is a three phase tester, which appears to have 3 voltage inputs and three current sense circuits. 

IF these are isolated circuits,(that is for YOU to confirm) you could perhaps monitor the single phase mains input to the printer, using one voltage / current pair, and perhapd monitor the two DC cables between the power supply and the einsy board. 
as far as I am aware, one power cable supports the electronics and motors and the other supports the heaters (Extruder and heatbed)

or you could monitor the three einsy fuses, which are 
Electronics and motors, 
Heatbed
Extruder heater.

I am not aware of an easier way to gain more granular indications

regards Joan

I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK

Posted : 03/11/2021 3:40 pm
jwvaughn
(@jwvaughn)
Estimable Member
Tough to do!

Both heaters are pulse width modulated (think square wave) with the width varying so, normal AC currant measurements are not going to work well.  Measuring the AC mains in is probably the only sane way to do it.

I'm not an expert on stepper motors but I think think the will be nearly constant current because they are driven as a two phase stepped wave form that may or may not be close to a sine wave. I think I have read that using the trinamic drivers allows for the current to be reduced for holding the motor so constant current may not be true..

Again, measuring the mains is probably the way to go.

Good luck!

Jerry

 

Posted : 04/11/2021 5:44 am
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