Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on
 
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Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on  

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Artifact 3D
(@artifact-3d)
Trusted Member
Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on

While trying to find what was causing my filament blockage and removing the cover and unscrewing the hot end to retrieve a possible blockage in the bowden tube, sparks came out of the areas where the blue wire are and it looks like the insulation over them is stripped (it just slides backward). It looks like this sliding of the insulation allowed my pliers to contact the leads and caused sparks to discharge, at which point I shut off the machine immediately. Now when I turn on the machine, it says Err: Mintemp and I cannot use my printer anymore.

What are the steps to get it back up and running again ASAP? (what parts do I need to order, and where can I find a guide to install those specific parts). I use this machine for business and got 4 orders in last night, so this is the worst possible timing and I probably made things worse in my rush to fix my blockage issues. I expect I'll need to buy and install several new parts for the printer, I bought it pre-assembled so I don't know how difficult the replacement/installation of these parts are. In the image attached, the sparks came from the area where the 2 blue wires enter the heating element.

I am very, very grateful for any help in getting this solved.

Posted : 13/04/2018 1:11 pm
stahlfabrik
(@stahlfabrik)
Honorable Member
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on

My bet would be to buy a new hotend assembly from Prusa.
Solves your blockage, and you will have spare parts then.

But you need to make sure that your einsy board is not fried.

I would guess that your thermistor in the hotend is fried.

If it is not the einsy...

Posted : 13/04/2018 9:52 pm
Artifact 3D
(@artifact-3d)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on


My bet would be to buy a new hotend assembly from Prusa.
Solves your blockage, and you will have spare parts then.

But you need to make sure that your einsy board is not fried.

I would guess that your thermistor in the hotend is fried.

If it is not the einsy...

The printer still turns out but the nozzle temp says 0 degrees and I'm stuck on the temp error, so I think it's just the hot end that's messed up. I tried to find info about the exact replacement I should order (no response from email support yet, I've tried to email support before for another issue and never got a response and that was over a month ago) but I cant find an exact match.

This shop: https://www.voxelfactory.com/collections/original-prusa-parts claims to sell it but is sold out, and on this thread: http://manual.prusa3d.com/Answers/View/865/Where+can+we+find+the+hardware+Is+there+a+parts+list from January it's stated that replacement parts will be available in the shop soon. They say that instead of just linking a parts list as the user requested, which is very problematic 3 months on with no replacement parts in the shop and having a very hard time getting in touch with support.

I'm tempted to try a third party E3D v6 hot end kit

Posted : 13/04/2018 10:58 pm
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on

when you switch the printer on, do you get a sensible value for the bed and a silly value for the extruder

say bed 20C
extruder 11C

if so, turn the printer off, and try swapping the bed and hot end extruder thermistor
when you turn the printer back on,
if the displayed temperatures also swap then your Einsy board is probably ok

dont forget to swap them back again.

if your einsy board appears to be ok! you may only need a replacement thermistor...
see where the wires are damaged. there may be enough room to reconnect them.
in which case you could be back in business soon.

check the cabling, check the heater resistance from the connector end
if you can repair the thermistor wiring, then you can resume trying to clear the blockage.

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 : 13/04/2018 11:14 pm
Artifact 3D
(@artifact-3d)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on


when you switch the printer on, do you get a sensible value for the bed and a silly value for the extruder

say bed 20C
extruder 11C

if so, turn the printer off, and try swapping the bed and hot end extruder thermistor
when you turn the printer back on,
if the displayed temperatures also swap then your Einsy board is probably ok

dont forget to swap them back again.

if your einsy board appears to be ok! you may only need a replacement thermistor...
see where the wires are damaged. there may be enough room to reconnect them.
in which case you could be back in business soon.

check the cabling, check the heater resistance from the connector end
if you can repair the thermistor wiring, then you can resume trying to clear the blockage.

regards Joan

Thank you for your response. Yes, I get a normal value for the heat bed and 0 degrees for the extruder when I turn my machine on. I have seen it jump from 0 to 16 degrees a couple of times when moving it around so I'm guessing it's something with the wiring of the thermistor that's been damaged as well as possibly the thermistor itself.

What do you mean by "swapping the bed and hot end extruder thermistor"? Do you mean to change where they are plugged in? I got a pre-assembled MK3 so I haven't dealt with the wiring yet but I have found the kit building manual online.

As I haven't seen the official MK3 hotend available anywhere and it's not available in the Prusa shop, I looked up other E3D V6 hotends available and found the one that closest matched the details of the one in my MK3 and I found this: https://printedsolid.com/products/e3d-hot-end-kit-v6?variant=4032407619 with the bowden tube and it looks like everything's the same except the color of the bowden tube and I just wouldn't use the fan or silicone sock it comes with. I plan to order the whole thing just in case more than just the thermistor is damaged.

Posted : 14/04/2018 12:43 am
K7ZPJ
(@k7zpj)
Reputable Member
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on

You need to access the mk3 spare parts section using this link: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/34-mk3-printer-parts
You have to contact support via chat to get your login permissions to access the spare parts.

The fully assembled hot end is available: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3-printer-parts/208-mk3-e3d-v6-hotend-assembled.html

Posted : 14/04/2018 1:26 am
Artifact 3D
(@artifact-3d)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on


You need to access the mk3 spare parts section using this link: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/34-mk3-printer-parts
You have to contact support via chat to get your login permissions to access the spare parts.

The fully assembled hot end is available: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3-printer-parts/208-mk3-e3d-v6-hotend-assembled.html

Thanks! I went ahead and ordered a hot end kit of the same model from another company but this is very good to know in case that doesn't work out as expected. I was wondering why there were so few things in the shop.

Posted : 14/04/2018 2:07 am
stahlfabrik
(@stahlfabrik)
Honorable Member
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on



You need to access the mk3 spare parts section using this link: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/34-mk3-printer-parts
You have to contact support via chat to get your login permissions to access the spare parts.

The fully assembled hot end is available: https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3-printer-parts/208-mk3-e3d-v6-hotend-assembled.html

Thanks! I went ahead and ordered a hot end kit of the same model from another company but this is very good to know in case that doesn't work out as expected. I was wondering why there were so few things in the shop.

Oh no. I hope that will have the correct length wires and connectors. I would cancel the order and order from Prusa.
Also Prusa has a SPECIAL variant of the v6 hotend.
And the idea to swap bed and hotend terminator wires is genius. Make sure your einsy still works because otherwise you need a new one as well.

Posted : 14/04/2018 8:29 am
JoanTabb
(@joantabb)
Veteran Member Moderator
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on


Thanks! I went ahead and ordered a hot end kit of the same model from another company but this is very good to know in case that doesn't work out as expected. I was wondering why there were so few things in the shop.

Hi Austin,
I hope you ordered the 24 volt option, for the Mk3,

the difference between the standard e3DV6 and the prusa version is improved heatbreak machining, and 1.9mm ID PTFE Tubing lining the extruder,

does your new extruder come with PTFE Tubing installed, if not now would be a good time to order some.

4mmODx1.9mm ID PTFE is a bit more difficult to get hold of, than 4mmODx2mmID.
both will work in a Mk3 the 1.9mm ID will constrain the filament better than 2mm. which helps with flexible filament

be sure to trim the PTFE tubing properly, the Lower end should have a slight taper on the outside, to sit properly in the heatbreak , the top end should extend up into the extruder plastics and have a taper on the inside
when you are ready to insert the PTFE, loosen the heatbreak, half a turn before installing the PTFE, then push the PTFE in as far as possible so that the PTFE is tight into the heatbreak when you screw the heatbreak back tight.
there are pictures on the forum, showing the proper PTFE Shape.
regards Joan
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 : 14/04/2018 12:48 pm
Artifact 3D
(@artifact-3d)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
Re: Urgent issue: sparks flew from blue wires of heating element, now my machine says ERR: MINTEMP when turned on



Hi Austin,
I hope you ordered the 24 volt option, for the Mk3,

the difference between the standard e3DV6 and the prusa version is improved heatbreak machining, and 1.9mm ID PTFE Tubing lining the extruder,

does your new extruder come with PTFE Tubing installed, if not now would be a good time to order some.

4mmODx1.9mm ID PTFE is a bit more difficult to get hold of, than 4mmODx2mmID.
both will work in a Mk3 the 1.9mm ID will constrain the filament better than 2mm. which helps with flexible filament

be sure to trim the PTFE tubing properly, the Lower end should have a slight taper on the outside, to sit properly in the heatbreak , the top end should extend up into the extruder plastics and have a taper on the inside
when you are ready to insert the PTFE, loosen the heatbreak, half a turn before installing the PTFE, then push the PTFE in as far as possible so that the PTFE is tight into the heatbreak when you screw the heatbreak back tight.
there are pictures on the forum, showing the proper PTFE Shape.
regards Joan
regards Joan

Oops, I ordered the wrong one! Oh well, not much I can do about it except return the one I ordered, I am going to order the official Prusa one now that I am able to view the shop correctly. Thanks

Posted : 15/04/2018 5:00 am
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