Sovol SH02 filament dryer fan swap

UPDATE!!! Improved the design. Prints without supports now. Reoriented the model for easy printing. Aligned all holes. Chamfered the air intake and reinforced the model. The fan sits a lot better inside the bracket now. 

IMPORTANT: To install new fan with a duct I needed to cut out a bit of plastic so the new duct could fit. Not difficult to do with flush cutters, but this voids your warranty. I needed to swap fan connectors because they were different. I can't recommend the fan that I bought myself due to lack of specs and poor seller communication, but I will share a link if you want to buy one anyway, because the fan isn't bad and the seller claims it uses maglev technology (but it could be both true or false with Chinese sellers). Does the job well. This mod was created to replace the stock fan and reduce noise.

 https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005777703117.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.52.30111802rBDqh2

Replace the stock 5025 fan with a custom 5020 blower fan. You can use any fan as long as it matches these parameters:

• 12 V

• 5020 blower fan

• 3-pin connector

• Fan outlet 26 (26.3mm) × 20 mm

Since the AliExpress seller couldn't provide any specifications for the fan, I wasn't sure what to expect after the swap. In the end, it worked out well. The dryer reaches 70°C in about 30 minutes. The annoying squeaky noise is gone, replaced by a much smoother "whoosh."

Airflow inside the dryer also seems noticeably better because the air is directed through the heater fins more efficiently. This may be why it takes slightly longer to reach higher temperatures—the increased airflow removes heat from the heater more effectively, so the heater may simply be operating closer to its maximum heating capacity. That's only my theory, though. Could be wrong.

Because I don't have any measurements from the stock fan, I recorded a timelapse so you can compare the heating performance with your own dryer if you're considering this upgrade.

Testing conditions:

• Ambient temperature: 23°C

• Cool draft in the room with good ventilation

• No filament spools inside (to eliminate variables)

• Top humidity vent open

• Dryer placed on raised feet to prevent heat buildup underneath

Printed in ABS-CF. 
0.16 layer height.
6 walls.