SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

Re: which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

2016-05-08T01:18:18Z

I can't remember exactly what the "potentially life threatening" shock hazard was generally considered to be, but it was somewhere in the 40V range. That is one good reason that things like "low voltage" lights and such exist. Far less risk of electrocution and fire hazard.

The downside to using low voltage is that running high wattage devices is simply impractical. It's specifically why you can't buy a little "electric furnace" to heat the interior of your car in the winter, while a 1500 watt home device (1500 / 110 = 13.64 amps) can easily do that and is very small, attempting to pull 1500 watts off of 12V (1500 / 12 = 125 amps) would require wire thicker than a good set of jumper cables.

Where I work at, we use "professional" camera's in a CCTV system. Output power is 24V AC which the camera will convert down to 12V DC. Advantage to this is that the 24V AC won't droop in voltage over distance like DC would and with the down convert at the camera, the wires are thinner than a 12V system would be. A manufacturer that keeps the benefits of "proper" power design in mind when creating any device gets a lot of benefits for doing so, even if the parts require custom manufacturing compared to more easily available "off the shelf" part designs.

Re: which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

2016-05-07T15:44:11Z

I realize I wrote this more from the build point of view and you're talking about a purchase.
But like anything else do your homework. IMHO a quality control board is a little more important with a 24v machine .
IIRC the press was built as a 24v system so seems like 24 v is the future trend in 3d printing.

.... And you are quite welcome.

I think one of the reasons 12v is more popular is that lower voltages are considered safer. the systems I install in electrically classified areas are in the 5-6 volt range. A short is less likely to cause a fire. Less heat for a given amperage.

And as always be aware of free advice you often get what you pay for LOL.
Tin

Re: which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

2016-05-07T15:22:03Z

Thanks Tin

Re: which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

2016-05-07T14:04:11Z

First of all I am no expert so will not attempt to give expert advise. That said I have worked with various electronics for years.
And did the research to retrofit a lathe and mill to CNC.

IMHO 24 volts probably has more advantages than disadvantages.
stepper motors generally perform better at higher voltages.
running a 24 volt system reduces the amp draw from your bed and heater
Higher amps require heavier wires.

The biggest disadvantage is cheap controllers/drivers can be voltage sensitive.
so you need to make sure your control board and drivers can handle 24 volts plus a little for safety reliability.
I remember stories of some boards for cnc rated for 24 volts burning out at 25volts.
And some guys purposely overvolt a little like setting a 12 volt ps for 14. wich is fine, as long as the board can handle it.
and a word of caution Over the years i have tested many wall wart power supplies and the voltages have a wide range I have seen a 12 supply put out 7- 18 volts. sooo test your power supply before hooking to the new board and adjust the voltage.
The other disadvantage is 12v components seem more common but IMHO 24 or dual voltage is more common these days
If you carefully select and source your parts 24Volts is the way to go. .
tin

which printer is better 12volt or 24 volt system

2016-05-07T12:16:22Z

I am thinking of getting a new printer. I know some of them are 12v and some are 24v systems
what are the pros and cons. I have a Replicator 2X which is a 24 volt system and it has never showed signs of
voltage lag. What is the general consensus of the forum.