Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question Build type: Mendel Electronics: gen6 I've been going into trying with a glass surface, mostly cause it doesn't bend and I don't have to level it all the time. Ah! the wonders of automation. I understand it needs to be properly heated (I've read somewhere in these posts that someone used a hairdryer... tried it but still quite 'manual'). So I went into ordering a PCB heatbed, but the problem now is... I have a gen6 electronics. Doesn't seem to have any part about heatbeds there? I've read again in the threads and I already suspect it hasn't. So it was actually a rethorical question, I believe. Is there a fix like adding a part of electronics (i read on the board there's a i2c thingy), or the only 'clean' way to go (meaning less swearing as possible) would to be ordering a new set of electronics? https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98309#msg-98309 Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:49:21 -0400 Phorum 5.2.23 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98697#msg-98697 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98697#msg-98697 Was reading the wiki page about it, and it doesn't say what type of resistor it needs?]]> raffaele.ragni Reprappers Fri, 23 Sep 2011 09:28:09 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98676#msg-98676 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98676#msg-98676
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what is the temperature which is designed to 'stop' naturally?

Natural convection. Depends heavily on ambient temperature, how good the bed is insulated at its bottom and how good the air above the bed can circulate. The later means, building a big part on it will raise the bed's temperature.]]> Traumflug Reprappers Fri, 23 Sep 2011 05:30:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98631#msg-98631 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98631#msg-98631
I have not actually tried this yet, but I've asked about it on the forum, and gotten some replies:

RepRap Forum

I have not seen a version that supports a thermistor... however there is a version that has pads for LEDs and resistors that limit the LED current. Is that what you are referring to?]]> macphyter Reprappers Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:11:50 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98559#msg-98559 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98559#msg-98559 -------------------------------------------------------
> I believe the heated PCBs have natural heat
> regulation built in. You just turn on the 12
> volts and leave it on. As the traces heat up, the
> resistance increases, which causes the current to
> go down. It reaches a natural equilibrium, and
> stays at a somewhat constant temperature.
>
> On the other hand, the aluminium beds with the
> power resistors can run away with temperature, so
> you need a thermistor and electronics to cycle
> power to maintain a constant temperature.

Oh... so you saying that not thermistor is even necessary?
Did you actually try this... or are just saying?
But why the 2nd version of the heated PCB supports for one then?


ps. And if that so, that a thermistor is not needed: what is the temperature which is designed to 'stop' naturally?]]> raffaele.ragni Reprappers Thu, 22 Sep 2011 07:20:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98536#msg-98536 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98536#msg-98536
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Are these additional pieces sold somewhere?

A first one has been delivered, I'll PM you the details.

Quote

About connecting the heated bed directly to generator: how you measure temperature that way and know when to stop heating?

With a thermistor, the same way the extruder heater works.]]> Traumflug Reprappers Thu, 22 Sep 2011 04:14:06 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98516#msg-98516 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98516#msg-98516
On the other hand, the aluminium beds with the power resistors can run away with temperature, so you need a thermistor and electronics to cycle power to maintain a constant temperature.]]> macphyter Reprappers Wed, 21 Sep 2011 23:51:11 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98420#msg-98420 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98420#msg-98420 About connecting the heated bed directly to generator: how you measure temperature that way and know when to stop heating?]]> raffaele.ragni Reprappers Wed, 21 Sep 2011 10:19:24 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98394#msg-98394 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98394#msg-98394
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I think you could pretty easily add an external power transistor board.

Like this one?




]]> Traumflug Reprappers Wed, 21 Sep 2011 04:56:08 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98389#msg-98389 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98389#msg-98389
I just plug it in to the power supply directly and switch on/off manually. It works successfully.

I have a longer term plan to add an extension via the I2C socket, but currently I have too many other things on my todo list !

Geoff]]> geoffd Reprappers Wed, 21 Sep 2011 03:19:19 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98325#msg-98325 Re: Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98325#msg-98325 bryanandaimee Reprappers Tue, 20 Sep 2011 15:20:42 -0400 https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98309#msg-98309 Aaand here I try again--- PCB Heatbed electronics question https://reprap.org/forum/read.php?4,98309,98309#msg-98309 Electronics: gen6

I've been going into trying with a glass surface, mostly cause it doesn't bend and I don't have to level it all the time. Ah! the wonders of automation.
I understand it needs to be properly heated (I've read somewhere in these posts that someone used a hairdryer... tried it but still quite 'manual').
So I went into ordering a PCB heatbed, but the problem now is...

I have a gen6 electronics.
Doesn't seem to have any part about heatbeds there? I've read again in the threads and I already suspect it hasn't. So it was actually a rethorical question, I believe.
Is there a fix like adding a part of electronics (i read on the board there's a i2c thingy), or the only 'clean' way to go (meaning less swearing as possible) would to be ordering a new set of electronics?]]> raffaele.ragni Reprappers Tue, 20 Sep 2011 14:01:52 -0400