Trianglelab 24 V 105 W ceramic heater for Dragon ACE hotend

Original Trianglelab 24 V, 105 W nominal ceramic heating element, designed as a replacement for the Dragon ACE hotend. Its flat format transfers heat directly to the heater block and allows replacement without completely disassembling the hotend.

The version currently supplied corresponds to Trianglelab's latest official specification: 5.5 ±0.5 Ω at 25 °C. Units checked by HTA3D measure approximately 6 Ω when cold, including the complete wiring harness.

Main features

• Original Trianglelab replacement for Dragon ACE.
• Nominal voltage: 24 V DC.
• Nominal power: 105 W.
• Official resistance: 5.5 ±0.5 Ω at 25 °C.
• Approximate theoretical current at nominal power: 4.4 A.
• Heating-element lead approximately 175 mm long.
• Approximately 1 metre extension cable.
• Pre-installed connector and terminals.
• Metal retaining clip included.

Electrical specifications

Current 105 W revision

Trianglelab has documented different versions of this heating element. The initial Dragon ACE documentation specified 82 W and a resistance of 6.5–7.5 Ω, while the later revision specifies 105 W and 5.5 ±0.5 Ω at 25 °C.

The unit currently supplied by HTA3D is the 105 W revision. To identify it, measure its resistance while cold and completely disconnected. A reading close to 5–6 Ω is consistent with this version; shape and connector alone are not sufficient to distinguish it from earlier heaters.

Power versus temperature

According to Trianglelab's official table, the power drawn decreases as the heating-element temperature rises:

Nominal heater power alone does not determine the maximum temperature or hotend flow rate. These limits depend on the complete assembly, installed temperature sensor, cooling, heater block, nozzle, firmware and material.

Compatibility

This element is specifically designed for the Trianglelab Dragon ACE hotend. It can be used with both the 104NT-4 and PT1000 versions because the heater and temperature sensor are separate components.

• Trianglelab Dragon ACE hotend with 104NT-4 sensor.
• Trianglelab Dragon ACE hotend with PT1000 sensor.
• Dragon ACE hotend silicone sock.

Compatibility must not be assumed with the original Dragon, Dragon HF/SF, Rapido, Rapido ACE, V6 or Volcano blocks, or other ceramic heaters with a similar appearance. The block, contact surface, retaining clip, voltage and connections must all match.

Electrical requirements

The controller output, MOSFET, PCB tracks, connectors, wiring and power supply must be able to control an approximately 4.4 A load at 24 V with suitable headroom.

Limiting maximum power through PWM may reduce average power, but it does not remove the instantaneous current flowing while the MOSFET is on. A firmware power limit therefore does not make an underrated connector or heater output safe.

• Use only with 24 V DC systems.
• Do not connect to 12 V, 48 V or an unknown voltage.
• Check pinout and heater-output capacity before connection.
• Keep firmware thermal-runaway protection enabled.
• Protect wiring against movement, abrasion and hot surfaces.

Heating-element replacement

1. Switch off and completely disconnect the printer. Wait until the hotend is cold.
2. Carefully lift one corner of the retaining clip with a fingernail or small coin.
3. Remove the clip and old ceramic heater.
4. Clean the remaining thermal grease from the heater block. Isopropyl alcohol may be used when required.
5. Apply a thin, even layer of suitable thermal grease to the new heater's contact surface.
6. Press the element firmly against the block to expel excess grease.
7. Install the clip and ensure that it is fully engaged on both sides.
8. Remove excess grease and route the wiring with suitable strain relief.

The element must not remain loose or partially separated from the block. Poor thermal contact can cause uneven heating, abnormal response times or thermal-protection errors.

Initial commissioning

1. Before heating, confirm that the temperature sensor reports a reasonable and stable room temperature.
2. Verify that the heater and sensor are connected to their correct inputs.
3. Personally supervise the first heating cycle and confirm that temperature rises in a controlled manner.
4. Check the connector, wiring and controller output for abnormal heating.
5. Perform a new PID or thermal calibration.

Replacing the heater does not change the temperature sensor curve or type. Retain the configuration for the 104NT-4, PT1000 or other sensor actually installed.

Marlin calibration

For the first hotend, a PID calibration can be performed at 250 °C for eight cycles:

M303 E0 C8 S250 U1
M500

E0 identifies the first hotend. Select the correct index on machines with multiple hotends. M500 stores the result when EEPROM support is enabled.

Klipper calibration

PID_CALIBRATE HEATER=extruder TARGET=250
SAVE_CONFIG

If the heater belongs to another extruder, replace extruder with the actual configuration-section name.

RepRapFirmware calibration

With the hotend at room temperature, tuning may be performed using the tool number:

M303 T0 S250

The configured heater number may also be used, for example:

M303 H1 S250

These are common examples, not universal assignments. Confirm which tool or heater corresponds to the Dragon ACE. The resulting M307 parameters should be retained in config.g where applicable.

The printer must remain supervised during thermal calibration. Select a target that is safe for the sensor, hotend and material, remembering that some tuning procedures may temporarily overshoot the target.

Package contents

• 1 × Trianglelab ceramic heating element for Dragon ACE.
• 1 × metal retaining clip.
• 1 × approximately 1 metre extension cable with terminals and connector.