Heater Cartridge Cable Broke, Do I Need A New Hot End?
One of the two red cables broke off my hot end, I believe they're the heater cartridge cables.
Can I order a replacement cartridge and use that to fix my hot end? I'm look at this one from Amazon. Or do I need to replace the entire hot end? If so, I'm looking at a Dragonfly hot end, as they're not much more expensive and seem to be more capable than the original hot end. I don't know much about different hot ends though, and this Dragonfly hot end doesn't specifically say it's compatible with the i3 Mk3S+, which is what I have. I don't want to waste time and money ordering the wrong parts.
just replace the heater
I suggest you buy 2 heaters and one thermistor...
Hopefully after replacing your heater and restoring the hot end to working condition, you will have a spare heater and spare thermistor, on hand, for next time..., but the thermistor wires are fragile, so there is a chance that you might break them whilst changing the heater... if you buy one now, you will have a spare immediately available
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
Which Parts to Replace?
Joan,
can you link to specific parts that you’re talking about? I’m not quite sure what you mean by replacing the heater.
That one on Amazon you linked to is fine. As Joan suggested, get a couple so you have a spare and while you're at it but a couple of thermistor cables which are even more likely to break.
Dragonfly: if your only reason for considering it is that you heard it's more capable, frankly, I suggest you stay away from it. The is is NOT a knock on the Dragonfly. I have never used one and it's probably fine. But if you're new to the game, or new to Prusas, I'd stick with stock unless you have a specific reason to change things. Makes it a lot easier to deal with the inevitable issues and to get help here or from Prusa Support. If you run into issues and have a nonstandard hotend, it adds a lot more parameters to the equation.
RE: Heater Cartridge Cable Broke, Do I Need A New Hot End?
Hi all,
Had the same problem, just touching the small wires made them come off.
Ordered new complete heater, which took 2 weeks to get the printer working again.
No fun.
Made a mechanical holder so that the wires can not move. See pictures.
Works fine.
RE:
This red wire broke on mine too right where it joined the heater block on one wire like yours. Granted it was a 3 yr old printer and happened during an upgrade to MK3S+.
Here is the smaller thermistor wire that you should probably replace at the same time - https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3mk3smk3s/205-hotend-thermistor-e3d.html?search_query=therm&results=5
and the larger heater wire (the one that broke in your pic) - https://shop.prusa3d.com/en/mk3mk3smk3s/384-hotend-heater-cartridge-e3d-24v-40w.html?search_query=hotend&results=19
They are easy to change out, there are two screws on the hotend that you loosen and the push the cylinders out.