Print Fan Failure
I can't seem to find another instance of this in the forums. The Front Print Fan on my hot end only works on the left third of bed. If the hot end moves to the center or the right third of the print bed, the fan stops working and I get a PRINT FAN ERROR during prints. This is an issue that popped up today after multiple days of printing. I have cleaned the fan. I have checked the connections to the Einsy Rambo board and everything is seated properly. I am thinking the wire to the From Print Fan has a short or is pinched but since I did not actually build this printer, it came assembled from Prusa, I want some other thoughts before I undo the nice cable work. 😀
The fan fails the self test if it is in the center third or right third of the print bed, but will pass the self test if it is in the left third. Has anyone encountered this issue?
Re: Print Fan Failure
that sounds like a broken wire in the bundle behind the extruder. probably immediately after the end of the support block...
does the cable bundle focus the bending forces in this area, if so, it's possible the nylon supportfilament has come out of the hole on the X carriage
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: Print Fan Failure
that sounds like a broken wire in the bundle behind the extruder. probably immediately after the end of the support block...
does the cable bundle focus the bending forces in this area, if so, it's possible the nylon supportfilament has come out of the hole on the X carriage
regards Joan
I was thinking the same thing... A broken wire might make contact when the extruder cable is not stretched. But, once extended would pull the two ends of the wire far enough apart to break the contact. Replacing the fan wire would be the logical first step. Or testing with a continuity meter while stretching the cable.
Re: Print Fan Failure
That sounds like what I will spend New Year's day doing 😀
Re: Print Fan Failure
Any updates? My shiny new Mk3 (a week old) is now giving a Print Fan Error too 🙁
Re: Print Fan Failure
I have my Mk3 for 2 days and on the first big print stopped with part fan failure. I traced it to the cable from the fan to the controller. The three wire ribbon had a break in the black wire about 3cm from where the cable bundle starts to flex behind the extruder. It failed in the centre and right side but passed on the left side where normally self test is carried out. If position the head in the bad zone and start self test then fails, so should the firmware test in the right not left side where the cable is more strained?
So this fault is a cable fault and the cable was replaced with stronger but flexible cable, I used servo cable as is fine multistrands of wire, and three wires in a ribbon like the orignal. I attached to the orginal cable close to each end to have the connector and fan connections. I do have a multimeter to measure the cables and a soldering iron but many don't so you would need to obtain a new fan which has a long cable and the correct plug. I think Prusa should review this flimsy cable and specify a more lasting and perhaps more costly alternative. My machine was pre-built so not happy about reliability.
I also had to adjust the pinda probe it was too low and failed self test, I am pleased when it works best print I have ever had, but feeling when it breaks so quickly when a good price was paid is horrible.
Graham
Re: Print Fan Failure
Just had the same issue with the front fan. It would only work on the left side of the print area
Troubleshooting identified the black wire had an intermittent connection.
I cut out most of the wire and spliced in another. That appears to have fixed the issue.
About an hours worth of work if you have the parts.
Re: Print Fan Failure
I woke up Saturday morning to the Print Fan Failure. Had no idea what was going on. I tried calibration, but it failed. The extruder was in the middle of the X-axis.
Got with support. All of 5 back and forths.
PR: How can I help you?
Me: I got a Print Fan Error overnight. Calibration shows the same problem.
PR: Does it work if you move the X or Y axis?
Me: Wow. Yup. Works when all the way to left.
PR: Ban fan. We'll send you a new one.
Me: That's it? Do you need anything else from me?
PR: Unless the shipping address for the printer has changed, no, we have wverything.
Me: Thanks
I've been printing on the left third of the printbed since then. I figured it would be a good time to replace the Back carriage cover. Some Y-axis upgrades I was thinking about.
Early today (Monday) I got the DHL email. It will be here in Houston Wednesday.
The ONLY thing that would make PR support better would be a follow up email to the address on hand giving a support number and next step. I was kind of in limbo until DHL sent their info.
Re: Print Fan Failure
Same problem on machine after a few weeks running, now totally dead no matter what position the print head is in.
Re: Print Fan Failure
My problem with the front fan was down to two out of the three wires fracturing in the middle of the cable bundle, where most of the flexing takes place, so no pinching issue There are only 7 strands of what looks 0.2mm tinned copper conductor in each wire. In my opinion and experience, not up to the flexing that goes on. Took the fan out and re-wired it with multi-strand wire.
Re: Print Fan Failure
Doesn’t take much of a “pinch” to create a problem with the fan. Printer worked just fine for most of the year, but eventually I got a print failure due to the safety cutoff. Fan worked on self test, but as previously mentioned not at extreme right-hand area of the X-axis. Seems the black wire being on the outside of the cable is usually the area where the damage can occur. Printed for awhile with the sensor turned off, but recently added additional wire to bypass the break. Back in business.... 😀