SoliForum - 3D Printing Community — Upgraded bed heater

Re: Upgraded bed heater

null@example.com (slimstar2) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 15:22:20 +0000

I use 2 inline amp meters 1 for the heaters and 1 for the rest of the electronics. 2.9 amps was correct with the old bed heater .
That is probably why it it took 20 minutes or more to heat up and why the edges where 50 degrees F cooler than the middle of the bed . New heater heats bed up to temperature in under 5 minutes and edge temp is within 10 degrees of center. It does pull between 6.2 and 7.2 amperes . I wish I had done this upgrade earlier. As we speak it is 2/3 done with my 1 st large area print with new heater (4 x 6 inch , 6 hour print) . I am also trying hairspray on glass instead of my usual ABS slurry. No lifting of the edges so far. This was most likely my problem from the start.

Re: Upgraded bed heater

null@example.com (elmoret) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 01:10:30 +0000

2.9 amps doesn't seem right - that'd be 36 watts. I measured the SD2 bed at 3.8 amps, and a SD3 has almost twice the area so I'd expect north of 7 amps.

Upgraded bed heater

null@example.com (slimstar2) — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 00:59:09 +0000

Solidset SD3 hi power bed heater on EBay

I just bought one of these for my SD3. Wow what a difference . Heats to 105 C in 4 minutes and 10 seconds . much better than the 15 minutes it used to take the bed temps are much more even across the whole bed . It was easy to mount and moving the holes over took all of 1 minute. I use a separate power supply for the heaters set to 14.5 volts and capable of providing 30 amps . I also use an independent monitor that I built to double check temps ,voltages and amp draws. My original heater pulled 2.9 amps the new one pulls 7.5 amps . for $21.00 + $4.99 shipping ,this was a great upgrade . The link to my monitor is https://tinkercad.com/things/g1vFJBOX838 from there you can find it on Thingiverse also , just search solidoodle or monitor. I use an automotive type 20 amp relay ( I like to heard it click occasionally so I know all is well ) just by listening. I do use an SSR for the extruder heater. I mounted power supplies under case to keep footprint small.