Solid state relay SSR remote (on / off) power for octopi octoptint CTC makerbot replicator bizer FFCP creator
Description
This printable part upgrades the CTC clone Makerbot replicator 1 printer with the ability to be remotely powered on or off via an isolated relay. The relay can be controlled by a Raspberry PI or similar micro controller but can also be triggered manually. The main purpose of this relay is to make the printer safer and WiFi capable via Octoprint. The part upgrades the printer in several ways 1 it covers and makes the exposed and dangerous mains voltage power pins on the CTC safe 2 it holds an SSR (Solid State Relay) safely against the metal chassis of the original power supply 3 it allows for an extension power outlet under the CTC for any generic Raspbery PI USB adapter ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. BOM (bill of materials) M4 nuts and bolts A good quality SSR (carefully select the part as there are a lot of counterfeit items) A selection of ring terminals for cable ends (yes you need to cut your printer wires) Two springs (used to push the SSR onto the metal chassis of the power supply unit) A soldering iron (its better to solder the wires onto the ring terminals rather than crimp) Heat shrink tubing (this is used to isolate any bare solder or exposed wire) A white trailing socket 1 gang extension plug (so you can plug in a USB charger) ……………………………………………………………………………………………….. This mod significantly improves this printer. Although this part was uploaded in 2020 the part has been in constant use since 2017 and has been inspected annually for problems. The part did not develop any faults and remains reliable. I developed this part because I was sick of having to tether a laptop to the printer and I didn't like printing from SD card. I wanted a way of being able to use any laptop or computer to upload the file to the printer from anywhere in the building, it is about enhancing the convenience, performance and functionality. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. The way I use this relay I use this relay with a Raspberry PI zero W. The Raspberry PI is wired directly into the solid state relay and triggers the relay using the Raspberry PI’s 3.3v output using two GPIO pins, as you can see in the photo (I have mine on pins 9- and 11+) the printed case I made for the Raspberry Pi is not so good but I am sure you could find one or make one easily enough, although I may upload it separately if there is interest. Notice the USB cable that comes from under the printer from its own USB charger (see photo) You could use any Raspberry PI but I like the Zero. I run Octopi on this and it works brilliantly and I can slice a 3d print directly on the PI Zero. There is a plugin for Octoprint that lets you specify what GPIO pins you are using for remote power. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Solid state relay The SSR I am using is a Crydom D2450 (see photo) This is a high quality relay and can handle 50A. This can be triggered with as little as 3v and both sides are isolated meaning the Raspberry Pi will never come into contact with the mains voltage of 240v (the relay probably uses an optical sensor) Relays like this do leak which is not good for power supply units, they don’t like being subjected to small voltages because the power still flows through transformer coils that feed smaller components. However a high quality SSR like this will leak only a tiny amount and has not affected my power supply unit in the 4 years its been used this way. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………… Power extension socket White Trailing Socket Electrical UK Mains Extension Rewire-able 1 Gang 13A. These are found on eBay and Amazon, they are cheap and you wont mind having to cut the cable short. To wire it in (see photo) it is wired so that it constantly receives power.
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