Looking to purchase Prusa Iv3 12" with questions.

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03-10-2015, 02:37 PM
BLKKROW

Looking to purchase Prusa Iv3 12" with questions.

With my tax return I was looking to purchase a bigger and better printer and am very interested in the 12" version of the Prusa.

I just have a few questions.

1. The manual states they do not recommend ATX power supplies, is there a reason behind this? Also, is there a power supply you would recommend besides the one in the manual?

2. Ramps vs Rumba. Their website doesn't have a good description of either and I am more inclined to purchase Rumba from the fact that between the two Rumba is the only one that supports fan's (according to their website). What would you recommend?

3. On my current printer I used Blue Tape is this okay to use with the Prusa?

Finally, is there anything else I should know before purchasing?
03-10-2015, 02:50 PM
MiniMadRyan

I'll try and answer these as best I can, even though my answers might not be the best hah!

1. ATX supplies are used a lot, and indeed users here use them with their MakerFarm's. Some ATX supplies have the advantage that they can be used with a 5v line (I believe) to trigger them on and off, which can be handy if you want to not only remote control your printer, but even remotely control its power. That being said, some people have had some bad incidents (some ATX supplies need a quick mod to work correctly), and two, the MakerFarm kit has a handy mounting area for a 'flat-pack' style supply. Colin has recommended these in the past: http://openbuildspartstore.com/12v-30a-power-supply/ I use them every day at work (albeit 18v) and they are awesome

2. Rumba has additional power outputs (6 vs 3), 24v power options, smaller than a ramps board, and a few additional 5v/12v outputs. I would argue that there is more documentation and support for RAMPS boards though. I personally have not used a Rumba, but I like it's features and size compared to RAMPS.

3. Sure! I used it for a long time when printing PLA. I would strongly suggest though, since you have a heated bed, when printing PLA, remove the tape and use Elmers Washable Glue (the purple glue sticks) on bare glass heated to 70C. Absolutely amazing, parts stick like no tomorrow, and so quick and easy to clean up afterwards!
03-10-2015, 03:37 PM
missing_link

This is the reply I got back from Colin when I asked about instructions for hooking up an i3v 12" with a RAMBo board to an ATX power supply:

"Hi Mark,
We don't have instructions for atx power supplies since they typically always cause damage to the connectors on the relay and electronics, the wires are too small to provide enough current so we only recommend using the 12v 30 amp power supply,

Thanks,
Colin"

Food for thought, I guess.
03-10-2015, 05:24 PM
BLKKROW

Thank you for the replies!

The power supply that Colin recommends is currently out of stock. Any others that anyone recommends? If a lot of people are having issues with ATX then I will go with what Colin suggests.

Does anyone have any other comments about Ramps vs Rumba?
03-10-2015, 05:42 PM
voodoo28

This is the one most of us use. Same thing as the one Colin suggests.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer-Project/dp/B00D7CWSCG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426027273&sr=8-2&keywords=30+a+power+supply

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

Thank you for the replies!

The power supply that Colin recommends is currently out of stock. Any others that anyone recommends? If a lot of people are having issues with ATX then I will go with what Colin suggests.

Does anyone have any other comments about Ramps vs Rumba?
03-10-2015, 05:54 PM
BLKKROW

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo28

This is the one most of us use. Same thing as the one Colin suggests.
http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Regulated-Switching-Computer-Project/dp/B00D7CWSCG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1426027273&sr=8-2&keywords=30+a+power+supply

Thank you for the amazon link! Its a good thing I need to place an order with Amazon today ;)
03-10-2015, 06:07 PM
voodoo28

Glad i could help!

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

Thank you for the amazon link! Its a good thing I need to place an order with Amazon today ;)
03-12-2015, 09:27 PM
BLKKROW

Printer is ordered and Power Supply is next while I wait.
03-13-2015, 03:40 PM
BLKKROW

I have been home from work as I have been ill the last few days.

So I have been reading over some threads and had a few questions.

I notice some people use an after market coupler for the Z motor and all thread. Can anyone link me to one of these couplers, preferably Amazon?

Is there anything else I should order while I am waiting?
03-13-2015, 04:39 PM
voodoo28

Link to couplers.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1LNX5A/..._5F1avb11WNW7D
03-13-2015, 04:42 PM
printbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by voodoo28

Link to couplers.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H1LNX5A/..._5F1avb11WNW7D

Actually, those are for 5mm x 8mm. Try this one - http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Stepp...mm+5mm+coupler

EDIT: BTW, BLKKROW, welcome to the MakerFarm family.
03-13-2015, 04:51 PM
voodoo28

Crap...my bad...did a quick search while standing in line at disney world...

Quote:

Originally Posted by printbus

Actually, those are for 5mm x 8mm. Try this one - http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Stepp...mm+5mm+coupler
03-13-2015, 05:44 PM
BLKKROW

Quote:

Originally Posted by printbus

Actually, those are for 5mm x 8mm. Try this one - http://www.amazon.com/Flexible-Stepp...mm+5mm+coupler

EDIT: BTW, BLKKROW, welcome to the MakerFarm family.

Thank you to both of you!

Printbus, I just recently skimmed your thread to get an idea of the build process and where to make improvements.

Looking at the order page I did find this little bit of info: "New Micro Adjustable Z Endstop" does anyone have any idea what this is? Is it similar to this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:336665
03-13-2015, 05:52 PM
printbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

Looking at the order page I did find this little bit of info: "New Micro Adjustable Z Endstop" does anyone have any idea what this is? Is it similar to this: http://www.thingiverse.com/thing:336665

Yeah, the newer printers have a screw adjustable Z endstop sort of like what we had to retrofit in before. The original approach for the Z endstop adjustment was, well, not very smart.
03-14-2015, 02:47 PM
BLKKROW

Another day home sick = Another day to drool over my printer that is on the way.

My current printer has springs that sit on the belt to provide tension like:

http://www.robotdigg.com/upload/prod...2f3b8e1984.gif

Is this something that others have tried to use on their Prusa's?
03-14-2015, 04:04 PM
printbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

Another day home sick = Another day to drool over my printer that is on the way. My current printer has springs that sit on the belt to provide tension like:

http://www.robotdigg.com/upload/prod...2f3b8e1984.gif

Is this something that others have tried to use on their Prusa's?

I haven't used them, but since no one else is speaking up... I'm not sure you'd be able to put one of those on the X-belt. Both sides of the belt ride within a few mm of the channel in the aluminum extrusion. I think the general opinion is that if the belt is loose, the belt is loose, and putting a spring on the belt isn't really as good as properly tightening it.
03-21-2015, 01:48 PM
BLKKROW

So I got my kit in the mail and had a few questions.

1. The heated build plate is not perfectly flat it has a slight bend. Is that normal?

2. The printed parts for the extruder are they printed in ABS? The ones I got do not pass my standards and want to print new ones before I build it. But all I have is PLA, is that okay?
03-21-2015, 01:56 PM
printbus

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

1. The heated build plate is not perfectly flat it has a slight bend. Is that normal?

Normal. It'll flatten out when you clip it to the glass plate.

Quote:

2. The printed parts for the extruder are they printed in ABS? The ones I got do not pass my standards and want to print new ones before I build it. But all I have is PLA, is that okay?

Some use ABS since it holds up better at higher temperatures, but I've always printed mine in PLA for the extra rigidity that PLA provides and then make sure I'm keeping heat away from it as best I can.
03-26-2015, 06:04 PM
BLKKROW

I have a dumb question. For the extruder fan, the instructions mentions wiring it directly to the power supply. Does this mean wiring the positive and negative wires to the corresponding outputs on the power supply?

I am 95% sure I am right I just don't want to short anything.
03-26-2015, 06:22 PM
beerdart

Correct the fan should run anytime the power supply is on.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BLKKROW

I have a dumb question. For the extruder fan, the instructions mentions wiring it directly to the power supply. Does this mean wiring the positive and negative wires to the corresponding outputs on the power supply?

I am 95% sure I am right I just don't want to short anything.
03-26-2015, 08:32 PM
BLKKROW

Quote:

Originally Posted by beerdart

Correct the fan should run anytime the power supply is on.

That's what I thought, I just wanted to make sure before I short something by accident.
03-27-2015, 06:11 PM
BLKKROW

Here is another dumb question. My heat bed is not reaching the temperature I designate. So I want to measure the voltage of the power supply and adjust it if needed. To do that I just measure the potential difference between a positive and negative lead coming from the PSU, right?