Hi all
Noticed that the power connector for my Simple Metal is starting to suffer from heat stress.
Im going to need to fix this soon.
After the discussion of printer fires here it might be time to re think the power system for this printer.
In service this connector did not work out on the long run. No blame, it simply a cost point the OEM must meet if they want to stay in business.
Saw this before with Molex style connectors.
Most OEM's crimp the connectors and over time oxygen gets into them, increasing their internal resistance.
That resistance caused heat and that cooked the connector body.
I can no longer trust the pins or the connector.
This problem is not unique to printers, saw it first years ago in high power two way radios.
The only fix is to replace the tired parts. Anything else is simply making excuses..
Here is the thinking.
This unit will not ever be part of a fleet.
As the guys here say it has been 'modded'. So be it.
I am not going to be swapping systems or power supply's with others.
So if I upgrade this connection with something a bit more beefy no one will be inconvenienced.
Might as well do a tip to tail on the power system.
Have a couple of power supply's that might do the trick.
One is a converted HP Server power supply. 12 volts at 25 Amps.
May also get a more conventional Meanwell or Lambda switcher in the same range.
The Meanwell PSU I use for the ham radio has been fine.
As for connectors.
From the two way radio side of life, I have a good supply of Molex .093 12 pin connectors, they are good for someplace between 15 and 18 amps.
If soldered rather than crimped, they should work. Yet over time they will oxidize.
Also have expensive experience with Anderson Power Pole Connectors. They are good for 25 amps each.
Four or six points of those will do just fine.
Next time I pull the system down for a maintenance event, I will examine where the cable plugs into the circuit board.
If it shows similar stress off it will come and I will solder the wires directly.
Speaking of wire, that will be improved as well. A significant step up over what the modified PC supply was made with.
So the question now is, anybody else have this issue and what was your fix.
Thanks in advance.
Jack Crow