MakerGear Forum

Noob Rickster here, as I just received my MakerGear M2 last week. I've been watching the 3D Printer world intently for the last 18 months and am very happy with my final decision to purchase an M2. It's built like a tank! Thanks to everyone who helped me decide while I was in 'lerking' mode, AND a BIG thanks to Rick (great name BTW!), Karen and the whole MakerGear group.

Now on to my questions if you please. Problem: I need my Makergear M2 to be mobile in my van so I can work with it whenever I am away from home or an AC outlet.

I know I can buy an inverter and plug that in to my cigarette lighter in the car, but will that be able to pull the amperage/wattage that the M2 requires? Probably not me thinks. So then I either tap directly into the van battery and idle the van's engine for long periods of time or provide additional deep cycle batteries just for the M2 to use with an inverter. I could use a generator, but that is a bit too expensive, loud and smells of gasoline.

So what are the specs of the new M2 24v power supply? Peak watts/amps that it could pull? Suggested inverted wattage?

Thanks in advance!

When tested with a Kill-A-Watt, it draws 300W at full bore, 240W with just the heated bed on, 20W at idle.

Super, thanks for that info.

Can you tell me what the 24v power supply specs are and its multiple outputs?

Thanks in advance again!

rixpix247 wrote:...Can you tell me what the 24v power supply specs are and its multiple outputs?
Thanks in advance again!

See attached rendering for M2 24V PS info.

Super! Thanks for the 24v diagram!

Now, for another question... If I am just printing with PLA only on blue tape (no heated bed) what might the Kill-A-Watt read? 60 watts? 80 watts? Obviously you can see my gears turning... Less watts = smaller & less expensive battery power required.

Thanks in advance!

soroupspower wrote:An electric battery is a device consisting of two or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Each cell has a positive terminal, or cathode, and a negative terminal, or anode. The terminal marked positive is at a higher electrical potential energy than is the terminal marked negative.

Does this guy just lurk the internet in hopes to sell batteries to people? weirdest post I have ever seen.

rixpix247 wrote:Super! Thanks for the 24v diagram!

Now, for another question... If I am just printing with PLA only on blue tape (no heated bed) what might the Kill-A-Watt read? 60 watts? 80 watts? Obviously you can see my gears turning... Less watts = smaller & less expensive battery power required.

Thanks in advance!

The ChargeTech "ChargeAll" should work. you would need the 18,000 mAhr or 24,000 mAhr model as they are rated for up to 85W of use. At 80 Watts it should last up to 7 hours (on the 24,000 mAhr model.)
they are a bit pricey but kinda nice.

Matt_Sharkey wrote:

soroupspower wrote:An electric battery is a device consisting of two or more electrochemical cells that convert stored chemical energy into electrical energy. Each cell has a positive terminal, or cathode, and a negative terminal, or anode. The terminal marked positive is at a higher electrical potential energy than is the terminal marked negative.

Does this guy just lurk the internet in hopes to sell batteries to people? weirdest post I have ever seen.

Even more insulting that he/she/it thinks the people of this forum are careless enough to click the link.

BTW - rather terrifying new avatar there!

Tshulthise wrote:

rixpix247 wrote:...Can you tell me what the 24v power supply specs are and its multiple outputs?
Thanks in advance again!

See attached rendering for M2 24V PS info.

If he just bought one then this is not the same PS.