Ultimaker with only 14V

[hugo 0]

Hi,

i added a heatbed on my Ultimaker and i want to use only one power supply for electronics and the heatbed but the original power supply has not enough power...

I have a power supply (12V, 20A) than i can set up to 14V max.

The Ultimaker documentation say "A voltage from 12V through 20 Volts will work, but is not advised." (

http://wiki.ultimaker.com/Electronics_b ... lectronics

)

What is the exact risk ?

Thank you !

ps: sorry for my poor english...

[mr_seeker 0]

Well, the machine is supplied with 19V. More than 20V and you are sure to fry the arduino mainboard.

[Daid 303]

Going less then 14.5V is not advised. Because the 7812 regulating 12V on the board will need at least 14.5V for proper operation.

With less voltage you will notice that you heater will not work as good as with more voltage. The step motors will also get less voltage, meaning you might need to adjust the current settings.

[hugo 0]

Thx Daid for your response !

No problem for the 7812, i can replace them by a low dropout version.

The real problem come from the heater and step motors apparently...

 

With less voltage you will notice that you heater will not work as good as with more voltage. The step motors will also get less voltage, meaning you might need to adjust the current settings.

For the heater, software regulation may automagically clear the problem ? no ?

For step motors, tuning the step motors controller (

http://wiki.ultimaker.com/Electronics_b ... or_drivers

) is not enough ?

[Daid 303]

Yes for both. Software will still manage your heater, but you might need to tune the PID controller for better performance. Main issue will be that you cannot reach higher temperatures and that it will take longer to heat up.

For the steppers, some adjustments in the current will do.

[hugo 0]

Thank you Daid !