Hero Me Fan Duct with LED Build Plate Lighting

thingiverse

The HERO Duct is an outstanding piece and a significant leap forward over the standard part cooling duct. I've had the pleasure of owning five or six of these ducts, with each previous one deforming from heat after numerous hours of printing. The design has evolved significantly into this version, which I believe will prove to be a worthwhile investment. Adding some lights to the duct seemed like a great idea, so I decided to give it a try. The original concept was quite complex and time-consuming to assemble, but this iteration uses simple LED FLEX Strip sections to achieve the same effect with improved illumination. This version boasts easier printing, assembly, and better light on the workspace. It comes with six individual LEDs (two strips of three each), which draw their power from the 24V hot end cooling fan. I connected it to a quick-connect on the fan's supply line, which I also upgraded when replacing the stock fan. This required a simple and affordable buck converter so that I could utilize the 24V system without needing to find a separate 12-volt source for the LED strips. It also eliminates the need to run additional wires through the loom. The duct includes additional mounting screws on the front pair of mounts, making it more rigid and preventing the duct from sagging down. The glare shade on the front is a separate item that's attached using CA Glue, simplifying printing and assembly.