Radio interference...
Hello,
I have used i3MK2 very much and it works well. There has been one issue all the time. I listen radio in my workshop and every time when I put power on to my printer radio starts to hiss due to interference. When bed and nozzle are heating the interference is very bad. Even car radio outside will suffer this. I have also other brand printers and lots of power tool but Prusa is the only one making noise. How to fix that problem? Bad connection or bad power unit? Yesterday I pissed off because I tried to listen radio due to our independence day related program. Many friends of mine has Prusas and I am the only on with that problem. I do not know if the problem is bad connection because I have printed a lot and with no issues in printing itself. Now I will really want to get rid of those most irritating interference noises.
Rgs, Kalle
RE: Radio interference...
Hello,
I made couple tests. All connections were ok. I also checked connections in power unit. Two screw terminals were a little loosely screwed. One on 12V and other on 220V side. Tightening did not help. I even tested by connecting my printer to other phase with same results. Power unit will interfere radios when cables to circuit board removed so interference is not coming from board. Seems that I need to get better power unit...
Rgs,Kalle
RE: Radio interference...
Unfortunately the Prusa MK3 is not tested for EMI or RFI interference. Adding shielding to the LCD box and Einsy case is probably the limit of what you can reasonable do, but the motor cables and the LCD drive cables are essentially antennas, too. So a shielded enclosure will be the only way to reduce the interference. You might be able to help things without an enclosure if you swap twisted pair cables for the LCD and motors. But, this is a limited fix.
If you have isolated the issue to only the PS, then you might have a bad PS; but even a PS has limited specs for EMI/RFI. And the PS case is not 100% shielded, either. Making a full metal enclosure for it instead of the plastic shell might help. Again, unless designed for RFI shielded applications, even a metal case will be of limited use.
RE: Radio interference...
@kalle-r
I also noticed a lot of RFI, mainly from the heatbed cable (and probably the heatbed iteself). I wrapped the cables in aluminum foil and I think that cut it back a little. Tim-m30's suggestion to place the unit in a metal box should eliminate the problem entirely.
RE: Radio interference...
aluminium foil will not last long.
consider using the braid off RG213 Coax...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Radio interference...
Joan: Yes, coax braid would be much more durable. Frankly I didn't expect it to last, and I've not unwound the plastic wrapping to inspect it closely. But I think it's still effective; I cut the foil into long 1cm strips and from what I can see this permits lots of flexibility. It's been on my printer for almost two years.
Merry Christmas from the other Halifax, in Nova Scotia Canada!
RE: Radio interference...
@michael-l10
Cheers Michael,
Another possibility is Clip on Ferrite cores...
regards Joan
I try to make safe suggestions,You should understand the context and ensure you are happy that they are safe before attempting to apply my suggestions, what you do, is YOUR responsibility. Location Halifax UK
RE: Radio interference...
I have a need to find a list of free radio stations for phones. Where can I search and access?