Duet3D Logo

    Duet3D

    • Register
    • Login
    • Search
    • Categories
    • Tags
    • Documentation
    • Order

    Melted wires

    Duet Hardware and wiring
    4
    12
    345
    Loading More Posts
    • Oldest to Newest
    • Newest to Oldest
    • Most Votes
    Reply
    • Reply as topic
    Log in to reply
    This topic has been deleted. Only users with topic management privileges can see it.
    • Pyper
      Pyper last edited by

      I am still proto-wiring my setup before creating final wiring harnesses.
      I noticed one of the motor's jumper wires have melted. Is that just a jumper wire issue, or should I lower the stepper motor current?TronXY_X5SA_melted_wires.jpg

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • jens55
        jens55 last edited by

        Likely a bad crimp on that one pin.

        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
        • Pyper
          Pyper last edited by

          @jens55 I would hope so, but it has happened on all of my stepper motor wires.. 😞

          TronXY_X5SA_melted_wires2.jpg

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • jens55
            jens55 last edited by

            That's a bit different than the initial picture but it is still odd that the mating connector shows no issue of heat.
            I can say from first hand experience that a standard Dupont connector is limited to maybe 2 amps or so. I have melted them at just under 3A. If these were commercial jumper wires then the wire was likely undersized for the use in a high(ish) current use.
            In a situation where you are just trying to set up things, I would reduce motor current until I was ready to make connections permanently.
            I would suggest 20-24 ga wire for 2A and if you are going higher then use 20 to 22 ga.
            I would actually discourage the use of dupont connectors for this use but you could get away with it. It's a balancing act and as always, YMMV.

            Pyper 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • Pyper
              Pyper @jens55 last edited by

              @jens55
              Would this be a better option? it says it is 14g
              https://usa.banggood.com/1M-4pin-Stepper-Motor-Cable-XH2_54-Male-Compatible-For-3D-Printer-p-1118480.html

              jens55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • jens55
                jens55 @Pyper last edited by

                @pyper that is the weight and not the gauge of the wire! It does say 2A though.
                I would go back to square 1 - what is the current rating of the stepper motors you are using? Do you need a fully prepared cable or can you put on connectors yourself? What controller are you using?
                I can't speak for the connectors that are on the motors, are they the same as the connector on one end of that cable you list? What are the connectors on your controller and is that what is on the other end of that cable?

                Pyper 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                • Phaedrux
                  Phaedrux Moderator last edited by

                  It seems like you're using dainty little dupont jumper cables intended for arduino prototyping to push some higher motor current.

                  You haven't told use what motors or what current you have the driver set to. Get better cables.

                  Z-Bot CoreXY Build | Thingiverse Profile

                  lodger 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • lodger
                    lodger @Phaedrux last edited by

                    @phaedrux Second that.

                    jens55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • jens55
                      jens55 @lodger last edited by

                      @lodger, you can only third that since Phadrux has second it and I have first it ....

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 1
                      • Pyper
                        Pyper @jens55 last edited by

                        @jens55
                        I was using 1.2A, but have lowered it to 800ma which seems to have helped.
                        I was just surprised these jumper wires melted, they are indeed dainty. I'll get some better cables! Sorry about all the confusion

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                        • Phaedrux
                          Phaedrux Moderator last edited by

                          No problem. The rule of thumb for motor current is to target 60-85% of the motors rated max current for best performance, balanced for heat and noise.

                          I'm also surprised it melted. If you clip and strip the wire, how many conductors are actually in the wire?

                          Z-Bot CoreXY Build | Thingiverse Profile

                          jens55 1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                          • jens55
                            jens55 @Phaedrux last edited by jens55

                            @phaedrux, conductor count is actually quite common and the same for the vast majority of wires. When you get into a larger qty of individual strands you are getting into specialty wire such as silicone insulated or test leads or some such. Marine wire has a common higher strand count to make it more flexible. The 'standard' is 7 conductors and the gauge of those conductors changes to achieve the overall wire gauge.
                            The other thing that plays a roll in the over heating is the contact resistance between the two connectors. Since these connectors are not spec'd to fit together, there is a good chance that you have only a tiny contact surface which then generates heat. Add to that the use of chinesium and you never know what you got 🙂

                            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                            • First post
                              Last post
                            Unless otherwise noted, all forum content is licensed under CC-BY-SA