Printing Environment
I have my printer in the garage right now as is the best place for it logistically. With fall and winter approaching though, that will bring with it temperature issues. For this time, the temps will largely be within 30-60 F and I won't have a heater to keep it warmer. That brings me to a question: do I move the printer into the house and use some sort of enclosure which won't retain heat to keep the cats away from it, or do I use an enclosure to retain heat and keep it in the garage? I will most often be printing with PLA or PETG. The inside house temp will range from 65-75 F.
Thoughts?
When printing, surrounding temperature should be at least 65F (18°C). Also keep in mind, if you bring printer from (cold) garage into warmer room just for printing, moisture will condense on printer and you'll need to wait before you start printing.
An enclosure is always recommended.. doesn't need to be some over-engeneered thing, if you plan to use it in heated place. It can become more complicated if you decide to make enclosure for use in garage (controling temperature inside enclosure).
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
My thought for the garage was just using something like the Crealty printer tents to retain the temp from the printer itself while it's printing to keep it warm enough. But if you're suggesting something as simple as that won't suffice then I will likely move it into the house and try to build a cage so the cats don't interfere.
When printing, surrounding temperature should be at least 65F (18°C). Also keep in mind, if you bring printer from (cold) garage into warmer room just for printing, moisture will condense on printer and you'll need to wait before you start printing.
An enclosure is always recommended.. doesn't need to be some over-engeneered thing, if you plan to use it in heated place. It can become more complicated if you decide to make enclosure for use in garage (controling temperature inside enclosure).
Simple (non heated) tent-box wont work in garage. As far I know, Prusa printers require minimum surrounding temperature (60F I think) -if lower, printer will refuse to print.
[Mini+] [MK3S+BEAR]
Garage Workshop
Here in Southern California, the temp in the garage is consistent 72-78 F year-round.
The bigger issue I have is related to dust. So, using an enclosure is essential. Fortunately, humidity has not been a problem but I tend to dry filament prior to printing just to be sure. I would recommend having a Hygrometer Thermometer LED device in and or around the enclosure just so you can monitor the conditions.
Best located in a warm room
It was early summer when I took delivery of my Mini in the U.K. I placed it in a large unheated room and all was good. Come autumn, printing in the somewhat cool room became less reliable. I moved my Mini to a small room that happens to contain always-on computer NAS disks that provide a little heat. When really cold outside I turn on a heater, which is reasonably economical given the small size of the room.
Keeping the room at or above 20° C / 68° F, the Mini is its usual reliable self all year round. A side benefit is that there are fewer drafts in a small room vs. a large room.