SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 FilaDryer Review

SUNLU have introduced the amazing SUNLU Filament Dryer S1, also known as the FilaDryer. That will get you to manage all your sticky material prints with ease. It is ideal for use with filaments that are hygroscopic and are difficult to handle otherwise. These materials include the ABS, PETG and PVA types of material. So let’s discuss a few salient features of the SUNLU Dryer.

SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 Crucial Features

Compatible Product Size

The SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 is a very manageable product that can be easily used in relatively compact spaces. This entire product measures 271 mm x 100 mm x 237 mm with a weight of about 980 grams. This makes it very manageable and compact for close quarter operations.

Filament Compatibility

The max coil size of the filadryer is 210 mm*85(W) mm. The filament allowable with the coil are 1.75/2.85/3.00 mm.

Temperature Change

You can adjust the temperature of the filament and vary it between 35C to 55C. You can set the temperature of the Dryer by using the 2-inch LCD screen. The system interface allows you to set the temperature by using the digital display.

Auto-Timer Function

The auto-timer function is an amazing feature of the SUNLU Filament Dryer S1. This feature allows you to set a pre-set timer and set the temperature in combination with the setting. This will allow you to run the heating function and maintain temperature for the set time. You can set the timer function of the dryer by the LCD interface.

Even and Fast Heating

Heating in the Dryer S1 is managed by the micro-controller. Once you set the temperature and timer of the operation, you can forget about the rest of the operation and leave it on the dryer. Even heating of the coil allows the filament to be evenly heated and does not create a difference in print quality.

The evenly heated filament provides an exceptional quality of print because of the homogeneity of the filament temperature. Thus, the heat temperature controller and the timer of the dryer work in combination to provide even and balanced heating. And finally, the efficient heater of the dryer provides quick heating of the filament.

Multiple Coil Compatibility

The SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 is compatible with multiple coils that fit into the casing.

Moisture-proof printing

They design the casing of the SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 in a special way. This allows for the filament and coil inside to stay dry even if the environment outside is humid. However, the manufacturers recommend the use of the dryer in a controlled environment where the humidity is not very high.

Sunlu Filament Dryer Review

Now it’s time to get to the review of the Sunlu filament dryer. What is a Filament dehydrators fundamental purpose? To dry your wet filament!

Sunlu S1 Unboxing

The filament dehydrator comes in a nice white presented box. Not just a plain box that makes you think what is this!? On the front you see a delightful image of the dehydrator with a spool of rainbow filament inside it. In addition, the brand and the name of the machine “FilaDryer S1 3D printing-mate” with a slogan saying (Drying while printing to improve your 3D models) are also visible. As soon as I saw the slogan, I realised you can use this while printing your models. Not just to have the filament in there wait 6 hours to take it out and then print, you can dry your wet filament while printing.

In the box you get the filament dryer and a power supply. Upon opening the box I realise I have the wrong power plug so then had to order an adaptor upon release of this machine. I’m not sure if you will get the correct plug.

Filament Dryer Functions

On the left side of the box it presents you with some functions:

• Compatible with multiple coils
• Temperature adjustable
• Timer Function
• Heats quickly and evenly

On the right side there is not much information, just the brand name SUNLU:

At the back of the box they present you with 3D Printing-mate FilaDryer S1 as the main heading and the product parameters. Some information on the box was wrong, so I corrected them and have told Sunlu about these.

Product Size: 271(L) X100(W) X237(H) mm	Input Power: AC 100V – 240V, 50/60HZ
Max Coil Size Diameter 210*85(W) mm	Output Power DC:24V 1.2V, 2Amp
Net Waight Of Product: 980g	Standby Power: 0.05W
Filament Diameter: 1.75/2.85/3.0mm	Max Working Load 1.8Amp
Working Humidity: <90%	Max Working Power 48W
Working Temp 35C – 55C	LCD Screen Size –  2 Inch

Being compatible with multiple filament spools is an enormous benefit. Imagine receiving this and your filament coil does not fit in. The extreme width of a filament spool you can use is 85MM. This is to the boundary, so I suggest using a filament spool that is 80mm in width. It can even handle tiny spools!

Looking At The Sunlu Filament Dryer

I now have the filament dryer out of its box. The looks and the functions are simple! You really need nothing else to dry and hold your filament. At the back of the machine is where you plug in the power supply. At either side they present you with the SUNLU Brand and at the front is where the LCD screen is with two buttons which are used to control the filament dryer.

In addition, there are 2 holes for you to insert the filament into. When you open the lid, you get to see what’s inside!  The heating element insulation to help keep the heat and there are 2 rollers with ball bearings for you to place your filament spool on. The look of the filament dryer is nice with a white bottom part and a clear lid, also the shell is all made of plastic.

How To Use The Sunlu Filament Dryer

Controlling the dehydrator through the use of the 2 Inch LCD Screen is easy. You have two buttons –  left button to decrease temperature and the right button to increase the temperature. If you hold down the left button for 3 seconds, by doing this it will take the timer menu up. This allows you to decide how long you want the filament dryer to be on for.  You can go up to 24 Hours.

After you have set the timer you can go back into this menu to check how long that is left. To get out of this menu, hold down the left button again for 3 seconds and there are two symbols PV and SV. PV tells you what the current timer or temperature is at. SV is Set time or temperature. The filament dryer unit remembers the temperature you set, but it does not remember the timer that was previously set.

Last Tests

Now in any review is important to test the device on what it is intended to do. For the Filament dehydrator, it’s purpose is to dry your filament. Below we will do multiple tests to see if it can do that, plus more. The model I have chosen is the standard vase test, quick and easy to print. Using it in single outline corkscrew mode (vase mode) that is found in Simplify 3D known as S3D.

Does the Filament dryer heat fast

I was told it takes around 20 minutes to get up to the full temperature of the device. I shall test this out with filament in the dryer and without.

Without A Spool Inside

To get up to the maximum set temperature, it is not quick. It takes approx 43 minutes to get to the set temperature, and it fluctuates between 55C and 56C. The temperature seemed to struggle when it hit 50C, and I am not sure if the timer kicks in while it is reaching the set temp. The timer on the LCD screen counts down in hours, not minutes.

With A Spool Inside

It took 19 Minutes to heat up with Sunlu filament inside. This is a dramatic change from 43 Minutes with no filament reel in the dehydrator, so yes, the filament dehydrator heats fast. Well below the time I was told! In all honesty, why would we heat it up with no filament in the device? The reason we switch it on is to dry wet filament.

Does it Dry Your Filament

Before we can get on to drying your filament, we first need wet filament. Now I‘m taking this to the extreme to see if the filament dryer works. I will put my filament spool into a bucket of water for 24 hours and take it out for 24 hours, then make sure there is no water left dripping. I will then do my tests. Each Test will be on for 2 hours at 55C, the last test will be on for 4 hours at 55C.

Eryone Bronze Rainbow PLA Filament Drying

1. I have now made the filament wet so our 1st test is to see the effect of the wet filament – it’s not so good printed at 200c
2. Everyone from the team said for me to increase the temperature to 220 C, there was no difference at all
3. I dried the wet filament at 55C for 2 hours, still no difference
4. 55C – 4 hours, No difference yet.
5. 55c – 8 hours

On, the last test I experimented by changing temperature from 200 at the start then 220. It seems to now print perfectly at 200.

Generic Unamed PLA Orange Filament Drying

Same as above, each test will be on for 2 hours at 55C apart from the last test that will be 4 Hours at 55C

1. Changing things up a little for this 1st test. I printed it  without making the filament wet. I did a small test 200 to 220. Then back to 200 this filament likes 200 on the Artillery Sidewinder.
2. I have now made the filament wet. The 3D print looks matte and not good.
3. 2 hours, no difference.
4. Another 2 hours, still no difference.
5. Dried for 4 hours. The shine is now back on the generic Orange PLA filament.

How long should it take to dry your filament can change between PLA, TPU, PETG, ABS ect but for me on PLA it took around 6 to 8 hours. Now that we have got our filament back to its original quality, I’m happy to say the Sunlu Filament dryer does its job by drying wet filament whilst holding the filament in place while printing.

Bonus Lets See What’s Inside This Filament Dryer

Now there are no instructions for taking this apart so we need to look for the bolts screws – that is if there is any. Please don’t take this apart on your own accord as it probably will void your warranty and we cannot be held liable for and damages or injuries made.

Taking it apart

1. The Filament rollers on the inside of the filament dryer comes out, they are just sitting on a guide

2. On the metal part that has a hot symbol, this has 4 screws of which I removed. Removing this did not really do nothing. There are wires at the bottom of this plate, which is the heating coil. A positive and negative wire with a small thermistor. The wires are short, so I could not really get into it this way.

3. At the front where you see the screen, there are 3 clips under it. The top one comes off easy by sliding down and popping it out then just pull back the cover and you will then see the LCD screen with some connections at the bottom.

4. The 1st connector is power, 2nd is the heater, 3rd is H-In, and the 4th is H-Out

Now lets check for thermal runaway. The way I did this was to remove H-IN connector. There was an error on the screen so that means they enable thermal runaway. I also removed the H-Out another and error came on the screen so it’s enabled here also – PASSED!

Where To Get The Filadryer

The SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 was available for $59.99 on their website. But they took it down and moved it over to a kickstarter. Now to me this is weird because a kickstarter is to help fund a project that is not even made yet. Not used as a pre-order system, the Sunlu s1 to me is a finished product that works well.

Amazon Vs Kickstarter

Like i said above the s1 filament dryer was available on the sunlu official website then put over to kickstarter but now its on amazon before any one that entered the kickstarter received it even at a low price that matches some of the kickstarter rewards. Now to me this is not right. the whole idea of a kickstarter is so the public gets it 1st with a huge discount before being sold on any other website. what do you think say in the comments bellow.

I will keep promoting this product because it is a good filament dryer but im really not impressed by how sunlu is handeling their kickstarter.

SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 Conclusion

Summing up our team at Inov3d recommends, the SUNLU Filament Dryer S1 for the printing enthusiasts who want to work with the hydroscopic filaments. This dryer offers amazing value-added features like even fast heating, support of multiple coils and low power consumption.

Also, a price tag that is easily affordable for a lot of 3D printing enthusiasts out there. There are many more Filament Dryers out there, for example, PrintDry Filament Dryer, FilaDry, PrintDry, and last but not least eSUN eBOX.

I felt like i had to add the whole kickstarter Vs amazon to the rating because it is somewhat about the product and how they are handling it as a whole.

If you are more DIY orientated, you can make your own DIY Filament dryer. Jimleemhis made a superb article over at Instructables. He goes over his build in a 3 part video series and if you prefer to read, you can download his DIY Filament dryer word document.

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