Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
So I started getting bed heat errors on occasion, and suspected there may have been a short, so checked the einsy connections, inspected the cables running to the bed, and repositioned the wire crimpers a bit to ensure they're not kinking the wires too much. When I turned the printer back on and started heating the bed, smoke starting coming from where the wires connect to the bed.
I suspect this isn't good, so I unplugged the printer. Is my bed malfunctioning? Are the wires shorted inside their sheath? What should I do?
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Hey... Smoke = danger. Dont leave the printer run like this. Solve the problem first.
Smoke is made by hot, and hot is made because of electrical resistance in the contacts: Resistance in the contacts it may be caused because the metals in contact are dirty or not well adjusted. Clean contacts, slightly with fine sand paper, you can "clean" the contacs, Then assemble again.
In the assembly of course both cables must be as most as possible separated.
If this doesnt works, there some people who welds the contacts...
Also ask Prusa... they can give you official support.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Yeah, I've never known unexpected smoke to be good.
I've been trying to reach Prusa support for a couple days now, and haven't heard back. I also don't find any evidence of the Live Chat on the website. 🙁
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Smoke usually is from burning wire insulation and I would recommend replacing the wires.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Smoke from the bed connector usually happens just before you see flames. It is a fault of the design and the hardware making the connection. They overcrimp the ECB, damage the copper layers of the ECB, and result in the overheat issue which burns the resins in the FRP layers.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Smoke from the bed connector usually happens just before you see flames. It is a fault of the design and the hardware making the connection. They overcrimp the ECB, damage the copper layers of the ECB, and result in the overheat issue which burns the resins in the FRP layers.
Where there’s smoke there is about to be fire? 🤣 🤣
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Yeah, I've never known unexpected smoke to be good.
I've been trying to reach Prusa support for a couple days now, and haven't heard back. I also don't find any evidence of the Live Chat on the website. 🙁
Click Banner EShop above. Go to Eshop.
Log in (very important).
You should then see a Chat button in lower right.
Good luck...
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
@tim-m30
Thanks for the explanation. That’s a bit scary! So, other than waiting for Prusa support to get back to me, is there anything I can do?
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
I wouldn't wait for prusa support...
as a temporary solution you could use two lengths of heavy mains flex in paralell for positive and two lengths of mains flex, in parallell for the negative, and get yourself pack printing, then order a metre or two of Red silicone Flexible wire and a metre or two of Black Silicone flexible wire to do the job properly
I have 4 working Prusa mk2 and mk3 varients, I have never had to repair the heat bed cables after upgrading to silicone flexible wire, and i have put masses of filament through the printers
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
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Unless you can verify from a expert level the wires are what are smoking, I'd leave power off. Printer fires are just not pretty, especially inside a home.
If you can verify from an expert level the wires are the only things smoking, and can prove beyond a doubt it's an IR related cause, and you are comfortable replacing the wires with a suitable and adequate replacement, then changing out the power wires is a possible DIY cure.
Crimps on the connectors can be poorly done and lead to overheating. But flex of the ECB that damages the internal copper traces is just as likley. Any discolored or burnt FRP is cause for keeping power off.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Log in (very important).
You should then see a Chat button in lower right.
Followed all steps, including logging in, and there's still no live chat availability for me. Turned off all ad blockers, anything that I thought might be interfering and still no luck.
It's been three days, and not a peep from support. In the meantime I've got a printer that poses a danger to me and my home. This is very frustrating.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Crimps on the connectors can be poorly done and lead to overheating. But flex of the ECB that damages the internal copper traces is just as likley. Any discolored or burnt FRP is cause for keeping power off.
The bed's PCB looks pretty normal to me. No obvious signs of damage, although I haven't yet disassembled it to look at the connectors yet. What I'd really like is some official support from Prusa, but getting total radio silence from them.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
CHAT - Use the chat button after you login to the Eshop. You will wait for days if you try email.
You will find the chat button at the bottom of the from page of the shop on the right hand side.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
CHAT - Use the chat button after you login to the Eshop. You will wait for days if you try email.
You will find the chat button at the bottom of the from page of the shop on the right hand side.
It's possible that I'm just oblivious today, but I honestly can't find a chat button anywhere. I'm logged in.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
as a temporary solution you could use two lengths of heavy mains flex in paralell for positive and two lengths of mains flex, in parallell for the negative, and get yourself pack printing, then order a metre or two of Red silicone Flexible wire and a metre or two of Black Silicone flexible wire to do the job properly
Hi Joan,
You're absolutely right; the lead is fried (see figure A). I've got some silicon wire on hand, but it's a pretty high gauge (28 awg) which I'm pretty sure won't handle the load. What wire do you recommend? Also, I don't have anything to crimp or attach the connectors, so what should I look for here? I could just solder the wire directly to the board and bed, but I'd rather not.
And, of course, still not a peep from Prusa support, and still no Live Chat button on the eStore to get any help with this.
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
28 AWG can only handle 1.8Amps
16 AWG can handle handle 22 amps, which is enough for your needs...
I use the Blue insulated crimp connectors ring with 3mm hole
Might be a good idea to go to your local car repairers/ auto electrician and see if they can provide the connectors and crimp them for you!
or your local maker space (Hack Space) may be able to help
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
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
CHAT - Use the chat button after you login to the Eshop. You will wait for days if you try email.
You will find the chat button at the bottom of the from page of the shop on the right hand side.
It's possible that I'm just oblivious today, but I honestly can't find a chat button anywhere. I'm logged in.
I have just tried it from the UK... about 5 seconds after the page opened, the chat window appeared in the bottom right hand corner!
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
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
as a temporary solution you could use two lengths of heavy mains flex in paralell for positive and two lengths of mains flex, in parallell for the negative, and get yourself pack printing, then order a metre or two of Red silicone Flexible wire and a metre or two of Black Silicone flexible wire to do the job properly
Hi Joan,
You're absolutely right; the lead is fried (see figure A). I've got some silicon wire on hand, but it's a pretty high gauge (28 awg) which I'm pretty sure won't handle the load. What wire do you recommend? Also, I don't have anything to crimp or attach the connectors, so what should I look for here? I could just solder the wire directly to the board and bed, but I'd rather not.
And, of course, still not a peep from Prusa support, and still no Live Chat button on the eStore to get any help with this.
This is what mine did. I have purchased two backup pairs of wires. I am not sure why it happened, but I have replace the wire and did something similar to Joan’s suggestion - No further problem in 12 months.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Hmm - chat is right there, and I wasn't even logged in this time:
RE: Smoke Coming from Bed Connector
Odd. Chat does not appear for me until I login.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog