Notifications
Clear all

Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement  

  RSS
BMet
 BMet
(@bmet)
Trusted Member
Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

Based on the attached pics, I think I'm better off replacing the hot end assembly rather than try to get the heater wire out of that mess.  I already purchased the Bondtech IFS extruder (still in the box) and am asking for suggestions for a hotend assembly replacement.  Maybe Copperhead?

V/R

Brian

This topic was modified 2 years ago 2 times by BMet
Posted : 04/01/2022 1:03 am
Michaël Fortin
(@michael-fortin)
Estimable Member
RE:

I've never had such a leak occur so I wonder what others would recommend (replacing or cleaning) but I'd sure try cleaning first and replace as a last resort if this happened on my printer. Careful application of a heat gun might help.

If I were thinking of replacing the hot end, the only thing I'd personally consider (apart from stock) at this point is the E3D Revo Micro, but you'd have to wait to get one (and have a way to mount it and set it up).

In fact I'll wait to see what the next revision of the MINI looks like and if there are no major enhancements to the hot end I'll seriously consider upgrading to an E3D Revo Micro, which will probably have been integrated by others at that point.

I'll let others comment on other hot end solutions.

Hope that helps!

Posted : 04/01/2022 3:21 am
fuchsr
(@fuchsr)
Famed Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

I have Dragon hotends on my Minis and I'm very happy with them.

Posted : 04/01/2022 3:40 am
BogdanH
(@bogdanh)
Honorable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

Right now you're out of luck, because Mini's hotend is not on stock -out of stock items aren't even listed in Prusa shop, so we could at least see the prices.
But let's imagine parts are available... From what I can see on your photo, you already took out thermistor and I'm sure you can also get out the heater without damaging it. In this case I would only buy heater block from Prusa and heatbreak from Bondtech.
That way you only clean heater (if needed), solution is cheap and you also make an improvement.

[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]

Posted : 04/01/2022 2:47 pm
Michaël Fortin
(@michael-fortin)
Estimable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

@fuchsr I've often wondered what (if any) things are required at the hardware + firmware + slicer level to install and use a different hotend (apart from actually mounting the hot end which I assume requires a custom 3D-printed part). What's required, compared to stock, to use your Dragon hotends, for example?

Posted : 04/01/2022 4:45 pm
fuchsr
(@fuchsr)
Famed Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

The Dragon is pretty much a drop-in replacement. You need to print an adapter. For the Mini I recommend this one: https://www.prusaprinters.org/prints/63259-prusa-mini-mini-dragon-hotend-mount. Easy print with PC Blend. No other parts required. You can reuse the heater and thermistor from the stock hotend. You'll have to cut small piece of PTFE to size. I just eyeballed it. I did do PID tuning but I don't think it's necessary.  Adjust Live z to account for some differences in height. and that's it. No changes to firmware or in PrusaSlicer.

I don't see any difference in print quality with the Dragon but nozzle changes are so much easier. I went with the standard flow version for my printers, scared by too many reports of clogging issues with the high flow version. I haven't had a single clog in a very long time on any of the machines equipped with the dragon.  

Posted : 04/01/2022 4:58 pm
Lichtjaeger
(@lichtjaeger)
Noble Member
RE:

Picture by e3D:

Posted : 04/01/2022 5:32 pm
Michaël Fortin
(@michael-fortin)
Estimable Member
RE:

@lichtjaeger How did you get a hold of one? Do you work for E3D? Looks great! What did it take to mount / set up and use the Micro on the Prusa MINI? Any firmware / slicer changes required in particular? What mount did you use? What about the noise level compared to the stock MINI hotend? Any other relevant comments? Sorry for all the questions but your post was kind of a tease 😉

Scratch that just noticed the text above your pic.

Posted : 04/01/2022 6:36 pm
Lichtjaeger
(@lichtjaeger)
Noble Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

😅That's not my machine and I'm neither a beta tester nor a reviewer. So I have to wait for my preordered Revo like everyone else.

The picture was taken by Will from e3D. He is currently working on an upgrade guide for the Mini. Since I'm working on an upgrade myself, we got to talking in the e3D Discord channel and he posted the picture.

There are two general upgrade paths: Change the start G-Code in your Slicer and lose some mm build room in the Y direction or file off the rear threads of the build plate by 2mm (and maybe replace the cable cover).

I'm working on the latter approach. You don't need custom firmware or G-Code changes this way. Just adjust the bowden length in the HW settings. Will said the e3D fan is quieter than the Prusa one.

Posted : 04/01/2022 6:55 pm
Michaël Fortin
(@michael-fortin)
Estimable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

Thanks for the info! 😅

I think it's great that E3D are working on upgrade guides for popular machines instead of letting people figure things out themselves.

Posted : 04/01/2022 7:00 pm
Sp4rkR4t
(@sp4rkr4t)
Estimable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

Oh that micro looks wonderful, counting down the days to release.

Posted : 04/01/2022 7:21 pm
BMet
 BMet
(@bmet)
Trusted Member
Topic starter answered:
RE:

Funny, I also ordered the heatbreak from Bondtech along with the extruder so I already have one.  I'm going to try to get the heater wire out but the hex screw doesn't fit my hex wrenches.  I'm hoping a heat gun will help with that.  We'll see.

I AM going to pre-order the Revo.

This post was modified 2 years ago by BMet
Posted : 04/01/2022 7:56 pm
mark
 mark
(@mark-3)
Reputable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

See this post for loosening the grub screws:

https://forum.prusa3d.com/forum/general-discussion-announcements-and-releases/horrible-quality-control/#post-475357

Regards,

Mark

Posted : 05/01/2022 2:08 am
DaveYHZ
(@daveyhz)
New Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

Total noob question - how do you know if you need the 12V or 24V Revo Micro?

Posted : 27/03/2022 1:33 am
Sp4rkR4t
(@sp4rkr4t)
Estimable Member
RE: Prusa Mini+ hot end replacement

For the mini it's the 24v revo you need however I'd caution against right now, a not insignificant number of people have had the thermistor fail, some people are having the heatercore heat filament to frankly dangerous levels and the V2 mount E3d provide is causing odd thermal issues and the revo fan that can be used with the V1 mount they offer is just bad.

Posted : 27/03/2022 1:47 am
Share: