How to power multiple layer fans for PLA?

[robomark]

Hi all,

First off, a quick note of thanks for everyone who's posted their tips and their mistakes - between the assembly manual and the forums, I was able to assemble my v2 kit without any insurmountable problems.

I've done a few prints in ABS, and they went well, although the overhangs were looking gloppy. I decided to give PLA a try, and have been struggling with the cooling - I've got the layer fan hooked up with the shroud from the manual, but there's a dramatic difference in print quality between the corner closest to the fan and the opposite corner. If I wanted to run 1 or 2 more of those fans, on the other corners of the effector platform, can I just splice them into the same power leads as the first?

Alternatively, should I even need multiple fans? I'm running at a hot-end temperature of 190, and 60 degrees on the bed.

Thanks for any advice,
Mark

[bot]

If you make a clean connection you can wire them in parallel with the other fan. It shouldn't exceed the draw provided.

Wiring two identical fans in parallel draws twice as many amps at the normal voltage. Wiring them in series halves the voltage and draws only "one fan's worth" of amps.

[robomark]

Thanks - I'm wondering if wiring them in series would be more appropriate for this application - 2 or 3 fans running slower, but airflow from several directions

[Polygonhell]

Assuming you are using one of the MOSFET outputs you can wire two or three fans in parallel without issues.

[teoman]

V = i × r

If you incrrase resistance 2 fold (2 fans in series). You get half the amps.

[Russ]

Does having three fans do a better job than one fan? I have been pondering the fans re PLA cooling.

[Mac The Knife]

Yes it does, And if the airflow is to much, the fan speed can be dialed down.

[nitewatchman]

I use three layer fans wired in parallel and it is not a problem. I wire each fan with a parallel wired male and female plug and it is easy to daisey chain, remove or replace an individual fan.

nitewatchman