1 Topic by satman49

  • satman49
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  • Registered: 2012-12-28
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Topic: nichrome wire

I want to use nichrome wire  to replace the heating resistor on the extruder. Does anybody know what gauge I should get?

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

2 Reply by elmoret

  • elmoret
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Re: nichrome wire

Why? In my experience the nichrome/fire cement design is more failure prone than the resistor.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

3 Reply by satman49 (edited by satman49 2013-03-17 16:26:08)

  • satman49
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Re: nichrome wire

Just  a thought as my hotend  failed in only 2 weeks. There's got to something better.

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

4 Reply by cozmicray

  • cozmicray
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Re: nichrome wire

Use a cartridge heater

Like

http://store.qu-bd.com/product.php?id_product=23

IMHO  Resistors shouldn't be used as heaters!

5 Reply by satman49

  • satman49
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Re: nichrome wire

Wonder what the wattage is of the current SD heater? That on is 40 watts.

SD3, E3D hotend,linear bearing on x/y axis',pillow block bearing on y conneting rod, ball bearngs on front y axis, fan on y stepper motor.

6 Reply by elmoret

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Re: nichrome wire

satman49 wrote:

Wonder what the wattage is of the current SD heater? That on is 40 watts.

Roughly 30 watts.

Filastruder - the robust, inexpensive filament extruder
E3Dv6 All Metal Hotend - the premier 3D printing hotend

7 Reply by cozmicray

  • cozmicray
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Re: nichrome wire

12V 40W works fine with my RAMPS
but I am using a 40amp  power supply

OK
Search for 30W heater
like

heater cartridge produces 30W heat at 12V. It is suitable for hotends with a 6mm bore for the heating element.

http://reprapsource.com/de/show/6800

8 Reply by jerseydevil

  • jerseydevil
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Re: nichrome wire

inconel does exactly what nichrome does but doesn't expand and contract as much.

Might try that instead.

Danger: 'Addams Family' sense of humor.