Esun Ebox Lite

I’ve run into some issues with moisture in my 3D printer filament, and it’s been a bit of a headache. Filaments, especially ones like PLA, ABS, and nylon, love to soak up moisture from the air. When that happens, things can go wrong pretty quickly during printing.

I’ve noticed that when my filament gets too much moisture, the prints start having all sorts of problems. There’s the annoying stringing and oozing, where thin strands of material end up between parts of the print. Sometimes I even hear popping and hissing sounds, which are from the water in the filament turning into steam inside the extruder. This leads to inconsistent extrusion, which can really mess with the print quality.

Another thing I’ve dealt with is the filament becoming brittle, which can cause it to snap mid-print—super frustrating. Plus, the prints themselves can end up with a rough or pitted surface because the steam creates tiny bubbles in the filament as it’s extruded.

To try and avoid these issues, I’ve started storing my filament in airtight containers with desiccants and even using a filament dryer before printing. It’s made a noticeable difference, but dealing with moisture is definitely something to stay on top of.

My Thoughts eSUN eBox Lite

I recently picked up the eSUN eBox Lite, and after using it for a bit, I thought I’d share my thoughts. If you’re into 3D printing and want to keep your filament in good shape without spending a ton of money, this little gadget might be worth considering—though it does have some drawbacks.

Design and Build Quality

First off, the design is pretty straightforward—nothing fancy, but it gets the job done. It’s compact enough to fit on my workbench without taking up too much space, and the plastic build feels solid. The transparent lid is a nice touch since I can easily see what’s going on inside without having to open it up every time.

That said, the build quality isn’t exactly premium. The plastic feels a bit cheap, and I can see it possibly wearing down with heavy use. Also, the lid doesn’t always seal as tightly as I’d like, which could be an issue for long-term storage.

Filament Storage and Drying

The main reason I got the eBox Lite was to store and dry my filament. It does a decent job of keeping moisture out, which is super important if you don’t want to deal with issues like stringing or poor adhesion. However, it lacks a built-in temperature control or humidity display. If you’re working with more delicate filaments that need specific drying conditions, this might not be the best option. I’ve found that it’s a bit of a guessing game—there’s no way to know exactly how dry your filament is getting, which can be frustrating.

Ease of Use

One thing I really like about the eBox Lite is how easy it is to use. Setting it up was a breeze—just plug it in, switch it on, and you’re good to go. The spool sits on a rotating base inside, which lets the filament unwind smoothly during printing. Plus, you can feed the filament directly from the box to your printer, which is super convenient.

On the downside, the rotating base isn’t the smoothest. It sometimes gets a bit stuck, which can mess with the filament feed during printing. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s definitely annoying when it happens.

Performance

When it comes to performance, I’ve noticed that the eBox Lite keeps my filament in pretty good shape. It’s not as powerful as some of the fancier filament dryers out there that let you tweak the heat settings, but it still does a solid job of extending the life of my filaments. I live in a fairly humid area, so having something like this to keep the moisture at bay has definitely helped improve my print quality.

However, the lack of control over the drying process can be limiting. For example, if you want to dry different types of filaments at different temperatures, you’re out of luck. It’s pretty much a one-size-fits-all solution, which isn’t ideal for more serious 3D printing enthusiasts.

Value for Money

For the price, I think the eSUN eBox Lite is a great deal. It’s an affordable option for keeping your filament dry, especially if you don’t need all the bells and whistles of the more expensive models. It’s perfect for hobbyists like me who print occasionally and just want to make sure their filament stays in good condition.

That being said, if you’re looking for something that offers more control or higher durability, you might want to consider spending a bit more on a higher-end model. The eBox Lite is a budget option, and it shows in a few areas.

Conclusion

Overall, I’m pretty happy with the eSUN eBox Lite. It’s a simple, no-fuss solution for storing and drying filament, and it does the job well enough for what I need. But it’s not without its flaws—the build quality could be better, the drying process is somewhat limited, and the rotating base can be finicky. If you’re looking for something budget-friendly and easy to use, I’d still recommend giving it a try, but keep your expectations in check.

Potential Modifications

If you’re like me and want to get the most out of your eSUN eBox Lite, there are a few mods you can try that really improve its usability. One of the first things I did was add a digital hygrometer inside the box. The eBox Lite doesn’t have a built-in humidity sensor, which is a bummer if you’re dealing with moisture-sensitive filaments like nylon. Installing a small, battery-powered hygrometer gives me real-time feedback on moisture levels, so I know exactly how dry my filament is, there is a model on printables.com for this very use case. Another simple mod is sealing the gaps around the lid with some foam tape or silicone. This helps make the box more airtight, keeping the filament drier for longer periods—especially important if you’re storing it for a while.

I’ve noticed that the fan in the eSUN eBox Lite can get a bit noisy, which can be a bit annoying when working in a quiet space. The good news is that upgrading to a Noctua fan can make a huge difference. I’ve looked into swapping out the stock fan for a Noctua model. The Noctua fans are known for being super quiet and reliable, so this upgrade should make my eBox Lite a lot more pleasant to have around. If you’re dealing with the same issue, I’d definitely recommend picking up a Noctua fan—it’s a simple fix that should make a big impact. The model once again is on printables.com