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Topic: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

I think I am going to turn my sd3 into a giant paper weight. First it starts squealing like its never been greased. (light coating before every long print.)  So it was running like a champ 15 hr print no problem. Every day I go to work come home to a a perfect part. In 1 week the X stepper eats itself the Y axis at level 15-19 like clock work starts creeping toward the front of the box every row getting further and further off. This is getting frustrating.  I have checked the belt tension. First I figure I have them too tight. Loosen them up no difference check the voltages on the board all set right to factory spec no adjustment needed. Now the power supply sounds like chirping birds and the leds in the case look like a strobe light.  I am starting to understand why some of the more pricier printers cost more. 

Can anyone offer me some advice before I run this thing over with my truck.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

Fan to cool electronics may help.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

If i can get it to print again i am going to print the cooling duct. instead of a 40mm fan i have a bunch of 105cfm vantec tornadoes. i am going to make a secondary power supply for all the fans and lights.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

I've been through almost all this issues you are going through

1.  Y axis loosing steps after going fine for a while.  In my case it appeared to loose exactly the same amount of steps over and over again. I mounted a fan over the electronics. Problem solved.
2.  Squealing. In my case it was my z axis. I removed all the factory grease and put new white lithium on all the guide rods and lead screw working it in by moving everything by hand.
3.  I think you have a bad power supply if it is chirping probably a bad capacitor in it. If the voltage is dropping between chirps you could be loosing enough to cause random errors in the y axis.

Hope this helps

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

Thanks for the info. I have plenty of power supplies I can switch it out with but I can't get an answer as to max amps the board can handle. I would like to wire in a fuse or a power conditioner.  I used to compete in car stereo competitions so i have quite a bit of 12v toys

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

angeloyacone wrote:

Thanks for the info. I have plenty of power supplies I can switch it out with but I can't get an answer as to max amps the board can handle. I would like to wire in a fuse or a power conditioner.  I used to compete in car stereo competitions so i have quite a bit of 12v toys

It's right on the power supply...

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

You need a 12V supply capable of at least the 12A current that the original supply can provide.

It's not a maximum amps that the board can handle, it's how much the PS can supply - the board, fans, motors, heaters, etc. will draw as much as they need at any moment. The supply has to be capable of meeting those demands.

Don: Folger Tech 2020 Kossel Rev A + Borosilicate + Snow Effector
        Davinci 1.0 + Repetier : Filastruder
        SD3 + RAMPS + Lawsy Carriages + E3D + Borosilicate + ... : Cupcake

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

Max amps of board doesnt matter, it will only draw what it needs from PSU.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

True, but arn't fuses there to protect the wiring from melting in a fault situation (avoiding a fire) not to protect the electronics?

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

My concern is not how much can i deliver its more of not allowing it to melt.  I have some 60a 12v server power supplies that I use for large led projects. i think i might just use one and install a 12a fuse inline.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

I just bought these from ebay £15 for the pair or $22 us ish.... There is a great post by elmoret with a link to how to convert them into stand alone power supplies. These babies are 47 amp each.

In line fuse sounds sensible.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

stafford that's the ticket. I have them same design 40a. I just got my hands on some dell server power supplies. 60a

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

Staffordknot wrote:

I just bought these from ebay £15 for the pair or $22 us ish.... There is a great post by elmoret with a link to how to convert them into stand alone power supplies. These babies are 47 amp each.

In line fuse sounds sensible.

Also good for when your car battery dies and you need to just start your car! That's massive. haha O_o

SD3 w/ mods:
Glass bed with QU-BD heat pad upgrade, threadless ballscrew w/ 8mm smooth rod, spectra line belt replacement, lawsy MK5 extruder, Lawsy replacement carriage, E3D hotend, Ramps 1.4 w/ reprap discount controller, DRV8825 drivers, 12v 30A PS, Acrylic case, Overkill Y-idlers, Filament alarm, Extruder fan + more.

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Re: From rock solid to POS in 1 week

angeloyacone wrote:

stafford that's the ticket. I have them same design 40a. I just got my hands on some dell server power supplies. 60a

In a similar vein, I just upgraded to one of those screw terminal supplies, 12V@30A. I think I'll do the inline fuse too, good thought.

Don: Folger Tech 2020 Kossel Rev A + Borosilicate + Snow Effector
        Davinci 1.0 + Repetier : Filastruder
        SD3 + RAMPS + Lawsy Carriages + E3D + Borosilicate + ... : Cupcake