I really like the new Elegoo Centauri Carbon 2. It builds on the original Centauri Carbon’s fantastic value and adds a few great features. Among those, CANVAS multi-material printing is the most noteworthy. There is only one problem and that is exposed spools. Now Elegoo is launching a solution: the Elegoo H1 HT filament dryer.
3D printing filament absorbs moisture from the air and that moisture dramatically reduces extrusion consistency and print quality. Some filament materials experience those effects more than others, but you should keep all filament dry, if possible.
The Centauri Carbon 2, with the CANVAS multi-material system, hangs four spools on the side of the printer. They’re exposed to the air and moisture becomes a problem. Even here in Phoenix, where it is incredibly dry, filament can absorb enough moisture to affect printing. To prevent that, you want passive drying (desiccant packs) in an enclosed container with the filament, or active drying with heat.
The new Elegoo H1 HT is an active filament dryer that accepts a single spool at a time. It can reach up to 85°C, so it is suitable for virtually all materials. It can rotate spools during drying, for even exposure. It has a bypass outlet for materials like TPU and GF/CF-reinforced thermoplastics. And it has a 3.5” full-color touchscreen to display information and for quick configuration.
Best of all, it costs just $70 USD. That’s a very competitive price for a dryer with these features.
However, I do wish Elegoo had released a model that accepts four spools at once, to better match the Centauri Carbon 2. If you want to keep all of your spools dry with that printer, you’ll need to purchase four H1 HT units. You can get a two-pack for $130, which will save you some money. But you’re still paying a total of $260 to accommodate the four spools. Though, of course, you can buy a single H1 HT and dry one spool at a time.