Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?  

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

I have a MK2 which is working great with normal PLA. But I have started to use some eSun PLA+ filament in Cool White color. For some reason this particular color requires a temp between 205-225(higher than normal PLA+). I am struggling to maintain my target temp of 215 while printing at 40-60 mm/s and .1 level of detail and .4mm nozzle. It occasionally drifts below 205. I am considering upgrading to a more powerful heater. My understanding from E3D docs is that the stock heater is 25 watts. E3D offers upgraded options in both 30w and 40w. Both are offered in 12v and 24v.

My questions are:

1. Which voltage does the MK2 controller use?
2. How many amps can the controller board output?
3. Any reason this is not advisable?

Aside from wanting to print this particular material it is hard for me to see how I will able to print even higher temp materials like ABS at respectable speeds without an upgrade.

IF you upgrade the heater, you may also want to consider upgrading the thermistor to a thermocouple and read this thread.

I do know that the MK2 is a 12 volt system, and not 24 volts, so that means you can get the 30 watt version, or the 40 watt version.

I've also been updating my RAMBo case so that it can handle the PT100 amp board with some screw holes to mount it to the inside of the case near the RAMBo with some M3x6 screws.

Another option you have is to do some PID Tuning. I know there is a thread around here somewhere that describes that process.

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

Jonathan

The printer is supplied with a 30W 12V heater. You will not need to upgrade to a thermocouple unless you intend to print above the maximum thermistor temperature (about 300 degrees).

Have you checked the help guide here: http://help.prusa3d.com/mk2-electronics/thermal-runaway-and-temperature-drops

The 40W heater cartridge is a possible upgrade, but according to E3D, that would require extra supervision as it is more difficult to control. The RAMBo board is protected via a 5Amp fuse for the extruder heater and other components.

If your thermistor connector is OK and you are still having difficulties maintaining temperature, then you should consider insulating the heater block with either an E3D sock or kapton tape.

Peter

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

Thanks Aaron and Peter for your help. My printer is working according to spec at "200°C with print cooling fan at 100%" according to Peters link. So I have no reason to think the thermistor it is not working properly. I understand now that turning down the cooling fan is necessary to get to higher temps. I do have a sock in my possession but hadn't tried it on yet. Sounds like Prusa does not recommend it because it can be problematic. But I can see how that would also benefit maintaining temps.

Is there a rule of thump regarding lowering the fan speed and gaining temps? For instance, could one say lower fan speed by 10% and gain 5C, for example?

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

Jonathan

There appears to be no communality between printers and the temperature they can print at with the fan running.

I did a test (and posted the results here) a couple of weeks back with the extruder at 260 degrees and the fan at 100% and no drop in temperature.

Despite the comments from Josef regarding the E3D sock, I installed one about 4 weeks ago and it has been performing perfectly. You just need to ensure that it is properly fitted.

Peter

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

I will also say that I'm using the Sock from E3D. There is a thread around here somewhere stating that PID tuning after using the Sock is highly recommended.

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

PID tuning after using the Sock is highly recommended.

Absolutely. Have a look here: http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/thermal-runaway-error-t1622-s20.html#p15721

Regarding my temp graph (mentioned earlier) , it is here: http://shop.prusa3d.com/forum/prusa-i3-kit-building-calibrating-first-print-main-f6/thermal-runaway-error-t1622-s20.html#p15622

Peter

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

I do have a sock in my possession but hadn't tried it on yet. Sounds like Prusa does not recommend it because it can be problematic.

I've had my sock on for about 20 hours of printing. It is working very well. It just takes time (under 10 minutes), and some needle-nose pliers to get it into place properly.

Re: Upgrade E3D heater cartridge?

I put the sock on and it has made all the diference. No issue at all now with maintaining temps and also no issue with a rapid drop in temp on the second layer when the fan kicks in. I was attributing the drop in temps on the second layer to the more rapid injection of filament cooling it off. I'm sure that it part of it but the blower kicking in is the much larger part.

If I had realized this was going to help with temps and not merely keep the tip clean I would have done it long ago. But since I never found I had a problem keeping the tip clean I put off installing it. A must have upgrade in my opinion.

The install of the sock could be made much easier if just a 1-2 mm of clearenence was made in the part behind the blower(in front of block). There just was not enough room to slip it around the block without taking off the fan, blower and flexing the plastic part so it could slide around the front of the block.