Fix for Hictop CR-10 Extruder temperature variation and struggle to get to 240 degrees C, let alone to the 250 degree specification.
I was having several problems with a new CR-10.
Could not get Extruder temperature above 230 degrees, and then it fluctuated +/- about 8 degrees. Could not get bed above about 60 degrees.
Searching the net, I saw that a fix for the CR-10s board had overcome the extrude fluctuation. (But CR-10 board is a different design.)
Being an electronics engineer I took a deep breath, opened up the control box and went to work on it.
The 12v to 5v chip is a MP1584 rather than a LM2596. However the 5v to the processor was suffering from lots of HF ripple, just like the CR-10s
Also the capacitor that was supposed to smooth this (ringed RED in Modification photo) seemed to be wired incorrectly, although I never got to the bottom of how. Nevertheless I fitted a 47uf 63v and 0.1uf 100v capacitor between the inductor output and ground as shown in photo. No more fluctuation in extruder temperature also could now easily get to 240 degrees, holding within 2 degrees.
The capacitors voltages only needs to 25v or more. Fitting the + side is a bit tricky as the inductor tab is behind the inductor as shown in the modification photo.
To give a bit of “boost” to both extruder and bed heaters I then carefully adjusted the 12V power supply to 12.5V (well within a 5% tolerance.). Now I can get to a steady 250 degrees on the extruder, haven’t tried higher, yet!
Now to the bed temperature. I fitted under and attached to the bed a thin (about 8mm) sheet of expanded polystyrene ceiling tile, to prevent heat loss from below the plate. Attached around the edges with Kapton Tape. Now with this and the 12.5V power adjustment I can get to at least 85 degrees C.
Guess I need to run for few days to check it all holds up.