1 Topic by BespectacledSloth

  • BespectacledSloth
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Topic: Not turning on--Stopped midprint then SPARKED

Kind of an urgent post, as I'm now having to hand-sculpt this object with clay and don't have much time, but bascially my printer was chugging along, cranked out the first piece of this project after a few mishaps with the filament not coming off the reel properly, but now just as it gets about 30% into the second piece, I leave the room to get a drink, and by the time I come back, the printer has stopped, the extruder is sitting on the piece melting down part of the side and making it droop, and the printer is OFF.

Now, this has happened before.

My printer has shut itself off mid-print, but after a quick reboot was just fine. So, I flip the switch, count to twenty-five, and turn it back on. Instantly BANG SPARK! A blue sparking came from the back of the printer, fizzled for a second, and now here I am with a dead monstrosity that will not turn back on.

Any ideas on what's wrong, how to fix it, and what to do, because customer support on XYZ's website won't help me unless I provide proof of purchase, and since it was a Christmas gift, I don't have that info.

2 Reply by owenransen

  • owenransen
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  • Registered: 2012-10-29
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Re: Not turning on--Stopped midprint then SPARKED

BespectacledSloth wrote:

Instantly BANG SPARK! A blue sparking came from the back of the printer, fizzled for a second, and now here I am with a dead monstrosity that will not turn back on.

Any ideas on what's wrong, how to fix it

Do you do have a multimeter? Do you "do" electronics? It could be capacitor in the power supply. They go bang sometimes.

If the PSU overheated for some reason that could be the cause of the problem. I've not delved into the back of my machine much, but if you could disconnect the PSU unit from the main circuit board and measure its output...?

And remember, I'm no expert... these are just waht I'd look at first...

Author of  PhotoToMesh, for making bas-reliefs and
lithophanes from your photos and images
http://www.ransen.com/PhotoToMesh

owenransen's Website

3 Reply by BespectacledSloth (edited by BespectacledSloth 2015-02-01 23:04:21)

  • BespectacledSloth
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Re: Not turning on--Stopped midprint then SPARKED

owenransen wrote:
BespectacledSloth wrote:

Instantly BANG SPARK! A blue sparking came from the back of the printer, fizzled for a second, and now here I am with a dead monstrosity that will not turn back on.

Any ideas on what's wrong, how to fix it

Do you do have a multimeter? Do you "do" electronics? It could be capacitor in the power supply. They go bang sometimes.

If the PSU overheated for some reason that could be the cause of the problem. I've not delved into the back of my machine much, but if you could disconnect the PSU unit from the main circuit board and measure its output...?

And remember, I'm no expert... these are just waht I'd look at first...

I "do" electronics, but not the kind that require a multimeter, if that makes sense. Is that an item I can pick up at a hardware store? I could go and get one if that is the case.

I know someone who could probably fix this quickly or at least give me quick insight into what to do about it, but as it is his birthday today and he has complete faith in this printer (he's the one who got it for me) I don't want to have to approach him with more bad news about it (as we have discussed other issues it has had in the month I've had it.)

4 Reply by owenransen

  • owenransen
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Re: Not turning on--Stopped midprint then SPARKED

BespectacledSloth wrote:

I "do" electronics, but not the kind that require a multimeter,...

I'd leave it alone then.

Difficult, but your friend may be delighted to help you. Anyway he'll soon be asking to see what you have printed so far...

Author of  PhotoToMesh, for making bas-reliefs and
lithophanes from your photos and images
http://www.ransen.com/PhotoToMesh

owenransen's Website