RAMPS Board caught on fire? I finally setup my 3d printer which is a RepRap Prusa Mendel i2. I purchased my kit from mixshop.com. Yesterday, I finally got it finished and plugged it into the PC power supply and got the software working. I was using Pronterface/Printrun and turn on the heat for the heatbed and hotend. Heatend to 185 degrees and Hotend to 60 degrees. Everything was fine when it was warming up and I was checking the temperatures. It finally got to about 192 and 40 degrees or so and I noticed a fire on my RAMPS board. I've included some photos of the area that was damaged. I'm stumped on figuring out what is causing this and how I can fix it so it doesn't catch on fire. I ended up trying it a second time and at about 80 degrees on the hot end. I can tell the board was cooking (I smelt something burning) also saw a few sparks so I turned it off and haven't tried since. Anyone know what is causing this problem and/or how to fix it? Thanks in advance! postimg.org mod_embed_images_loadimage('d5026f23fb70b66fa38b063ba80a2e00', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs22.postimg.org%2F4zsmqnwwt%2Ffigure_1.jpg', 'http://s22.postimg.org/4zsmqnwwt/figure_1.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs22.postimg.org%2F4zsmqnwwt%2Ffigure_1.jpg', 'http://postimg.org/image/4zsmqnwwt/', 239966, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); postimg.org mod_embed_images_loadimage('2b1f68ceea1aeb8e760586621135e6e9', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs24.postimg.org%2Fgkjywd0bl%2Ffigure_2.jpg', 'http://s24.postimg.org/gkjywd0bl/figure_2.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs24.postimg.org%2Fgkjywd0bl%2Ffigure_2.jpg', 'http://postimg.org/image/gkjywd0bl/', 239966, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); postimg.org mod_embed_images_loadimage('b8500be3a145ce531cb23d58e37187b2', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs7.postimg.org%2Fykvh1kiwn%2Ffigure_3.jpg', 'http://s7.postimg.org/ykvh1kiwn/figure_3.jpg', 'https://reprap.org/forum/addon.php?1,module=embed_images,check_scaling=1,url=http%3A%2F%2Fs7.postimg.org%2Fykvh1kiwn%2Ffigure_3.jpg', 'http://postimg.org/image/ykvh1kiwn/', 239966, 800, 400, 'Loading image ...', false); https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,239966#msg-239966 Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:24:16 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240437#msg-240437 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240437#msg-240437
Some cheap ones cant read that low.

Just unplug your Heated build platform form the ramps and stick your meter probes on the wires. (while its all off of course!)

The ones from dx.com that where bad had no copper break around the wire solder points on the non element side.
So when you solder on your wires, you had a straight short threw the non element side.

The non element side is your top side picture.

The fix was to simply remove a bit of copper around one connector on the non element side. One person used a craft knife and cut a little triangle around the connector (this took a while) another person used a dremel type tool to remove the copper.

It is very important you do this on the non element side.]]> Dust General Wed, 28 Aug 2013 05:04:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240394#msg-240394 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240394#msg-240394 Anonymous User General Wed, 28 Aug 2013 00:04:59 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240369#msg-240369 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240369#msg-240369 Nyarlathotep General Tue, 27 Aug 2013 19:44:57 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240304#msg-240304 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240304#msg-240304 Anonymous User General Tue, 27 Aug 2013 15:39:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240087#msg-240087 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240087#msg-240087
The 5 Amp circuit is for everything other than your heated build platform
The 11 Amp circuit if for just the heated build platform.

Both run at 12volt. (normally)


The Fuse that caught fire in on the 11 Amp side, ie the heated build platform.

I would say you Heated build platform is shorted. You need to check its resistance. Should be about 1.2 ohms

I have seen some cheap HBP from dx.com that are shorted straight from the factory.. (it is fixable, if this is the case)]]> Dust General Tue, 27 Aug 2013 03:01:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240055#msg-240055 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240055#msg-240055
tinned marine threaded copper strands 12 gauge should do it. 12gauge should handle up to 41amps. resistance is 1.588ohms per 1000feet

[www.ebay.com]]]> jamesdanielv General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 22:20:37 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240053#msg-240053 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240053#msg-240053 pokey9000 General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 21:44:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240051#msg-240051 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240051#msg-240051
@bobc - There is a 1 ohm resistor soldered to the hotbed. Can I use a higher ohm resistor as a precaution or is that not recommended? If I can what kind of ohm resistor should I get?

Since the 11A PTC fuse are known to overheat and catch fire is there something I can do to prevent this from happening? Can I use a bigger fuse to prevent fires? I would like to be able to print and leave the house while it's printing. Is this not recommended?

Where is the best place you suggest to buy a new PTC? Where can I get a better heated bed as well? Do you have any suggestions?

@Traumflug - Would it be ok if I used a 10 AWG wire to be safe?

@bobc - Thanks for the links to the PTC fuse.

@jamesdanielv - Where would you suggest I get tinned copper wire? Could I get 10 AWG to be safe for both hot end and heat bed? Currently, I'm using copper wires.

@ohioplastics - Thanks for letting me know! It does feel dangerous using this board if it will catch on fire. Any particular reason why there boards are catching on fire? Are they knock offs or low quality boards? Where do you suggest I get a new RAMPS and Arduino Mega 2560 R3 board for great quality?

Question 1
This picture below. Both yellow's are coming from the 12V section. Because, I have both of these on the top and bottom, does this mean I am putting 12V and/or 24V into my RAMPS board. I'm a bit confused on this part.


My Heatbed Photos
Here's a picture of my heatbed soldered from the top view.


My Heatbed Setup from the bottom.

]]> Anonymous User General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 21:25:53 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240045#msg-240045 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240045#msg-240045 Anonymous User General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 20:27:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240039#msg-240039 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240039#msg-240039 jamesdanielv General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 19:48:38 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240028#msg-240028 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240028#msg-240028 reprap.org] the part is this one [www.digikey.ca]

You can solder it by hand no problem.]]> bobc General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 18:31:15 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240014#msg-240014 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240014#msg-240014
Quote

Could it be a bad solder on the heatbed?

Then it would catch fire there, not on the RAMPS board.

Quote

What wires (? AWG) are suppose to be connected to the heatbed?

The thicker, the better. It's said SIHF-J 3x2,5 is pretty good. Silicone insulated, three wires (2 would be sufficient), 2.5mm2 each. 2.5mm2 translates to AWG13.]]> Traumflug General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:44:21 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240007#msg-240007 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240007#msg-240007
Thanks for all the help. Been working on my printer for weeks to get my first print out but ran into this issue.

I'll post a picture of my soldering underneath my heatbed. My solder was over the red board and not just on the silver square. Is it suppose to remain only on the silver square and not touch the heatbed itself? The heatbed was pre-assembled with the resistor and I believe it's the standard resistor that comes with the heatbed.]]> Anonymous User General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:23:00 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240001#msg-240001 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,240001#msg-240001
You might need to replace the PTC now it has burned, but you also need to identify why too much current is drawn. I think it is most likely a bad heated bed,]]> bobc General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 17:00:47 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,239982#msg-239982 Re: RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,239982#msg-239982 aduy General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 16:10:52 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,239966#msg-239966 RAMPS Board caught on fire? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?1,239966,239966#msg-239966
I was using Pronterface/Printrun and turn on the heat for the heatbed and hotend. Heatend to 185 degrees and Hotend to 60 degrees. Everything was fine when it was warming up and I was checking the temperatures. It finally got to about 192 and 40 degrees or so and I noticed a fire on my RAMPS board. I've included some photos of the area that was damaged.

I'm stumped on figuring out what is causing this and how I can fix it so it doesn't catch on fire. I ended up trying it a second time and at about 80 degrees on the hot end. I can tell the board was cooking (I smelt something burning) also saw a few sparks so I turned it off and haven't tried since.

Anyone know what is causing this problem and/or how to fix it?

Thanks in advance!


]]> Anonymous User General Mon, 26 Aug 2013 15:34:18 -0400