RE: What filament dryer to use?
Any suggestion for a filament drying thats cheap to run (ie low power consumption) to be used only for PETG.....
I don't need the higher temperatures needed for more advanced filaments.....I do want it to consume low power though.....
RE:
As a number of people here have commented (myself included), the Sunlu S4 has a 4 reel capacity, a 'maintain humidity' setting (which switches off once the set humidity level is achieved and only switches back on once the humidity rises above another threshold - different to avoid hysteresis) thus saving power whilst the humidity is in an 'acceptable' band.
... and it's currently on offer on amazon (in the UK) ... for the next 10 hrs 🥴
The only downside is the chamber, although it accommodates 4 1Kg spools, doesn't differentiate between the spools (but as you're only printing PETG that shouldn't be a problem)
RE: What filament dryer to use?
I have a creality space pi plus, the dual reel version. I find this works really well due to it being a blown hot air type. This in effect causes the hot dry air to swirl around the outside surface of the reel drying this very quickly, and this is the filament you will be printing with first, as more filament gets used more gets exposed to the hot air and you end up with nice no string prints, the dryer can take two reels so you can pre dry a reel whilst using one, but I have found the occasional wider reel which I sit across the two reel holders.
The only downside I have found is that it is a bit noisy so this can be intrusive, but it doesn't bother me as I sleep in a different room.
10 out of 10 for effectiveness and I gave my Sunlu dryer to my brother.
There is a small and I mean small compartment for silica gel sachets, but I find this is not needed at all.
Normal people believe that if it is not broke, do not fix it. Engineers believe that if it is not broke, it does not have enough features yet.
RE: What filament dryer to use?
Will take a look - thanks. Seems like its between Sunlu and Creality.
I don't really need it to feed to the printer from the dryer as once dry the filament will be removed and placed into a sealed AMS unit, in which I have dessicant and usually sits before 10% humidity - so I'm literally just after the drying function.
RE:
Had a Creality Filament Dry Box 2.0, bought it for like 40 Euro and it broke within a few months, the digital display says random stuff.
The Sunlu S4 costs 140 Euro, dries 4 spools and has a nice build quality and touch screen.
Based on my experience, the recommendation is to not waste 40 Europe's on cheap crap. Go proper, or go without one.
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I’ve had the opposite situation with a single reel sunlu drier which didn’t last. Replaced it with the Creality space pi and haven’t had an issue after 100s of hours drying. Let’s be honest, all this stuff is cheaply made to meet a cost point.
4 filament drier isn’t the most economical either if you only need one dried. Really depends on your needs and use case, and available space.
I’ll echo one of the previous comments also around the benefits of a drier that allows drying while you print. It can be a time saver. Rather than having to give a spool a few hours of drying before a print. You can reduce that time and just leave it continue to dry while printing. Just avoids the “I want to print this… but shite my filaments been in the air for weeks”, and losing a few hours of print time
RE:
If your drying you store then maybe consider a food dehydrator.
Normal people believe that if it is not broke, do not fix it. Engineers believe that if it is not broke, it does not have enough features yet.
RE: What filament dryer to use?
Because I don't use an AMS, I am now a huge fan of Polymaker's Polydryer.. the one with multiple clear canisters that can sit on a dryer attached to its bottom. These are really my best solution and seem to work very well. In fact, I bought about 7 canisters and one of the dryer units and it is all I use now. I've tried 4 different drying solutions (except the food dehydrator) and this is the one that is the most convenient.
RE:
Because I don't use an AMS, I am now a huge fan of Polymaker's Polydryer.. the one with multiple clear canisters that can sit on a dryer attached to its bottom. These are really my best solution and seem to work very well. In fact, I bought about 7 canisters and one of the dryer units and it is all I use now. I've tried 4 different drying solutions (except the food dehydrator) and this is the one that is the most convenient.
I love them for filament storage but the dryer option is definitely not for me. It doesn't get hot enough for PA (Nylon), PP and other technical filaments. Since the max temp is only 55C, Nylon has to stay in the dryer more than 24 hrs versus 8hrs for dryers that can reach 80C. I tried it out but it was cumbersome and the heater was too weak so I returned it. I use this which works well for me: Official Creality Filament Dryer 4 Spools
RE: What filament dryer to use?
I use this: and it also makes good jerky.
RE: What filament dryer to use?
I started with a Sunlu S1. It worked good but for a print job but needed vacuum bags for storage. I have moved on to the Polymaker Drier. These work well and since each box comes with desiccant and container it will continue to dry the filament once the heating cycle is finished. I have three boxes now so that I can print while filament is drying. I have found during the humid summer months the Polybox hygrometer reads 28-33%, with indoor humidity with AC of 55-65%.
RE: What filament dryer to use?
" I love them for filament storage but the dryer option is definitely not for me. It doesn't get hot enough for PA (Nylon), PP and other technical filaments. Since the max temp is only 55C, Nylon has to stay in the dryer more than 24 hrs versus 8hrs for dryers that can reach 80C"
The literature claims up to 73 degrees C.. and it has 3 "power" settings. The literature on the Polydryer also says it is suitable for nylon. Did you actually measure the temp inside?
Now I only use TPU, PLA and PETG as the engineering stuff I wouldn't use unless I had an actual lab area that was ventilated outside. So for me the PolyDryer is a great option. I haven't used it often yet, but it seemed to dry PETG and PLA fine so far.. and I've only used a heat setting of 1 or 2 of the 3 settings possible.
RE:
" I love them for filament storage but the dryer option is definitely not for me. It doesn't get hot enough for PA (Nylon), PP and other technical filaments. Since the max temp is only 55C, Nylon has to stay in the dryer more than 24 hrs versus 8hrs for dryers that can reach 80C"
The literature claims up to 73 degrees C.. and it has 3 "power" settings. The literature on the Polydryer also says it is suitable for nylon. Did you actually measure the temp inside?
Now I only use TPU, PLA and PETG as the engineering stuff I wouldn't use unless I had an actual lab area that was ventilated outside. So for me the PolyDryer is a great option. I haven't used it often yet, but it seemed to dry PETG and PLA fine so far.. and I've only used a heat setting of 1 or 2 of the 3 settings possible.
I had an issue that my PA filament was still stringy, contacted them and they replied on power setting 3 I had to dry my filament for a minimum of 18hrs. I did measure it on setting 3 it only reached 55C. Maybe I had a bad unit but when they told me "minimum 18hrs for Nylon" this was too much. Also the hydrometer started at around 10% and after "drying" it was 24%? Almost as if it was pulling in moisture.
Like I said, the box itself is great. Using activated alumina, it stays around 10%.
I suppose for PLA, TPU etc it's probably fine but too restrictive for the types of filaments I use.
RE: What filament dryer to use?
I had an issue that my PA filament was still stringy, contacted them and they replied on power setting 3 I had to dry my filament for a minimum of 18hrs. I did measure it on setting 3 it only reached 55C. Maybe I had a bad unit but when they told me "minimum 18hrs for Nylon" this was too much. Also the hydrometer started at around 10% and after "drying" it was 24%? Almost as if it was pulling in moisture.
Like I said, the box itself is great. Using activated alumina, it stays around 10%.
I suppose for PLA, TPU etc it's probably fine but too restrictive for the types of filaments I use.
I'm really disappointed about the engineering processes that are lacking in 3D printing companies.. Specifically in critical testing of their products. So the above posts makes me a bit sad as I've invested $200 in their product. So after 17 minutes, you can indeed see, in the probe position shown (and that is one accurate thermometer) that the chamber at that point shows only 50C after 17 min.. in 25 min it is up to 52C..
Now that is likely fine for my PLA/PETG/TPU as other parts of the chamber might be a bit hotter.. but far below what I'd expect for them to claim 73C on the hottest setting (and you can see that is the hottest setting).. So you are right.. not suitable for engineering filaments.. and I'm wondering if this is why I see this product on sale. I think the concept is great though.. I wonder if they can get the temps up.. I might do some more testing and do a video showing the results at all power settings.. as it seems that I might want to use the most powerful setting for both PLA and PETG. Damn.. Tired of being a beta tester with all this stuff..
RE: What filament dryer to use?
I had an issue that my PA filament was still stringy, contacted them and they replied on power setting 3 I had to dry my filament for a minimum of 18hrs. I did measure it on setting 3 it only reached 55C. Maybe I had a bad unit but when they told me "minimum 18hrs for Nylon" this was too much. Also the hydrometer started at around 10% and after "drying" it was 24%? Almost as if it was pulling in moisture.
Like I said, the box itself is great. Using activated alumina, it stays around 10%.
I suppose for PLA, TPU etc it's probably fine but too restrictive for the types of filaments I use.
I'm really disappointed about the engineering processes that are lacking in 3D printing companies.. Specifically in critical testing of their products. So the above posts makes me a bit sad as I've invested $200 in their product. So after 17 minutes, you can indeed see, in the probe position shown (and that is one accurate thermometer) that the chamber at that point shows only 50C after 17 min.. in 25 min it is up to 52C..
Now that is likely fine for my PLA/PETG/TPU as other parts of the chamber might be a bit hotter.. but far below what I'd expect for them to claim 73C on the hottest setting (and you can see that is the hottest setting).. So you are right.. not suitable for engineering filaments.. and I'm wondering if this is why I see this product on sale. I think the concept is great though.. I wonder if they can get the temps up.. I might do some more testing and do a video showing the results at all power settings.. as it seems that I might want to use the most powerful setting for both PLA and PETG. Damn.. Tired of being a beta tester with all this stuff..
That is one reason I went with the cheap food dehydrator. If it does not get to as high a temp and does not include a display that you can't trust to be accurate anyway, I just dry it longer. Except for the posting that said you can overdry TPU, which is has not been my experience, longer drying within reason has minimal downside.
Regards,
Mark
RE: What filament dryer to use?
Kind of frustrating alright with the poly maker. I wonder if restricting the exhaust path to reduce airflow slightly would it allow the container to get to a higher temp.