Humidity
Is it sufficient to run an air conditioner at 72 F to keep filament fresh? Or do I need a dedicated storage with dessicant?
RE:
No, it's not sufficient
A more differentiated reply: it depends.
I've had PLA sit out for months with no impact. I have one brand of PETG (Prusament neon green) that soaks up any humidity from the air like a sponge and within a day becomes unusable.
Based on what you're printing with you may be okay with just your AC, but I wouldn't bet any money on it.
Formerly known on this forum as @fuchsr -- until all hell broke loose with the forum software...
RE: Humidity
Climate matters! I have AC now but still printing in the Central American jungle. Even PLA needs a filament dryer and prints longer than 5 or 6 hours with PETG I feed right out of a dryer. Carbon fiber anything gets a full drying cycle then fed out of running dryer as it inhales moisture at an amazing rate.
RE: Humidity
We can't tell what your indoor humidity is from the temperature (and brrrr 72F?). If you are in a desert, you are may be fine. If you live in a humid area, probably not. It also depends on what types of filaments you are using.
Desiccant won't do much to remove moisture from filament, it is really there to slow down the filament's moisture update. The filament and desiccant are basically competing with each other for the moisture in the container. Once the moisture gets in the filament, a heater is generally required to remove it.
RE: Humidity
OK thanks!
RE: Humidity
Wow, thanks. Good luck!
RE: Humidity
I will disagree but I agree on a dryer for speed. Enough desiccant will remove moisture from the filament as it removes it from the air but you are not talking the little packages that come with the filament. I have over 500g of desiccant with 7 rolls of filament. If the air gets dryer, the filament does get dryer. Heat helps since it allows the air to hold more moisture so the RH% goes down, even with the same amount of water vapour in a sealed box and it helps the desiccant absorb the moisture. I say this since I have witnessed it in my own workshop.