DIY Cheap Thermostat Oven for 3D Filament Moisture Remover

One of the cheapest method to put digital thermostat in the old mechanical oven. Total upgrade cost 15 Dollars.

Step 1: Introduction

1. In 3D Printing world, we always experienced the ABS filament
being broken/brittle/uneven printing due to moisture absorbed into the filament. 2. To overcome this problem, we need to remove the moisture from inside the ABS filament by heating up the filament between 60 to 70 degree celcius in 2 hours time.

3. In normal oven, the thermostat only can be set at minimum 100 degree celcius. We need to install a new DIY thermostat to accommodate the new range of temperature

Step 2: Things Needed

1. Thermostat : SuQian Xinghe Electronics Thermostat XH-W1308( 10 Dollars from Ebay or local diy shop)

2. 1 Metre Wire.

3. Scissors

4. Knife

5. Epoxy glue

6 . Oven

7. 12 Volt Dc power supply
Extra bonus
1. 3D printer if you have one

Step 3: Wiring the Thermostat

First of all, Connect the positive and negative wire from the 12 V power supply into the thermostat.

Then, Cut the Neutral wire into half(as shown in blue colour) and connect it into the thermostat.

Here is the link for the exact wiring

http://www.smartclima.com/digital-thermostat-module-model-xh-w1308.htm

Step 4: Place the Thermistor

The right place for the thermistor is critical for the ABS filament. We would like to have the reading for the most optimum temperature of the air. So i decided to out the thermistor at the right side of the wall of the oven.

Step 5: Switch on and Set the Range of Temperature.

Lets gear up and switch on the thermostat w/o switching on the oven. We would like to have the range of temperature of 60 to 70 degree. Since this is a really cheap thermostat.

We cant insert range of temperature.

What we can do is to get one absolute value (let say 65 degree). We press the scroll down button and we will see a blinking temperature menu. .

Insert 65 degree. What it would do here is the moment the temperature of the oven reach 65 deg. It will cut of the electric power supply to the oven.

// if you would like to learn more about the setting. I found this website useful

http://www.smartclima.com/digital-thermostat-module-model-xh-w1308.htm

Step 6: Make a Casing for the Thermostat

A good casing will have a pretty good value of aesthetics. We would like to prevent electric shock or leak electric current. I design this in Solidworks and u can print the 3D model(DESIGN 1). Feel free to download and use it.

Step 7: Ready to Go!

Switch on both Oven and Thermostat.

Set the timer to 2 hours.
The first few minutes, the temperature will stabilize it self. Wild temperature shoot will occur(beware!!)

The magic will happen. Your ABS filament will free from moisture.

Badrul Hisham,
Professional in 3D printing,

www.3dprintingmalaysia.com

Comments

[ruatop]

Love it. I could use this for a low temp environment to stand yoghurt pots in or to prove dough ( around 30 deg celsius) Thanks for posting. Excellent :-)

[JamesA41]

Good call, now you say that... for natto also. Yay Natto Dad!

[BadrulH4]

this is so far the cheapest method to put digital thermostat. :D. Feel free to try.

[danallen82]

Just what I needed! I tried using my kitchen oven, but 170f was the lowest setting and it melted PLA. I have an old toaster oven but it lacked the control needed for drying filament. So this article will be very helpful. I ordered this because the 12v supply is embedded into the board. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/50-110C-Intelligent-Digital-Thermostat-AC-220V-12V-24V-10A-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Regulator-Switch/32783082490.html?spm=a2g0s.9042311.0.0.18914c4dQ0Z6Er

[peter__s]

Safety first!!!

Please do NOT cut the neutral line in two halfs.

The neutral line MUST be fed from the wall plug directly to the device metal chassis frame.

[spaceraver]

So it is still a Bang bang controller?

[Zeuss22]

Nice project - creative. Did you consider any other thermostats, like a W1209? Looks to be a lot cheaper, but not as refined packaging wise. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Freeshipping-W1209-...

For what you're trying to do you might want to look into a PID (an industrial temperature controller) Here's a pretty affordable one: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Dual-Digital-PID-Te...

The "K" thermocouple might not be the best for the lower temps but probably ok.

[DIY Hacks and How Tos]

Great idea. This is a lot more accurate than a regular toaster oven.

[BadrulH4]

Thank man :D.