Archive of the former Yahoo!Groups mailing list: Homebrew PCBs

Hi folks.
Well, after much experimenting with a SECOND laminator like the
first, I have determined that my printer's toner must just melt at
too high a temperature. (I have an HP Color LaserJet 4500N, and an
HP LaserJet 5si, both of which produce the same results). I have, as
such, ripped the fuser out of an old HP LaserJet IIIp.
I fired it up and watched it, thinking the little thermostats
touching the hard fuser roller that are in-line with the AC power
would turn it off when it got hot enough...bad idea there. One of
the plastic parts supporting the roller that encircles the lamp
melted. Luckily, I caught it before it deformed it too badly.
Those thermostats must only be for extremely high temperature
protection, but not enough to prevent damage. So, note to self,
temperature regulation circuitry required. Fortunately, it looks
like HP's own built in thermostat will work just fine.
For everyone who has been experimenting with fusers, how hot do
you let yours get for optimal melting?

-Josh