Inverter based soldering gun? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 04:55:31 am
content: Does anyone know if there's a soldering gun that uses a high frequency inverter instead of a 60Hz transformer? I see that as a great way to make it both smaller and lighter. It could even be possible to make one that runs from batteries or a 12V supply for field use.

author: FenderBender
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 05:22:49 am
content: I haven't heard of one. I don't know what the JBCs or Metcals use but I don't think they use that. That would be interesting, yes.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 10:22:55 am
content: You mean like an SMPS?http://www.ebay.com/itm/Model-9936-ESD-Safe-Soldering-Iron-System-3-Tips-/230646746579http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldering-Station-Digital-DC-Controller-HAKKO-936-Compatible-907-Iron-Handle-/130620434360

author: tom66
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 12:14:33 pm
content: Yikes, so now we can have bad caps with our soldering irons?Keep using iron transformers for now. I have a feeling there is a good reason almost everyone uses one.

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 12:40:17 pm
content: Quote from: FenderBender on December 27, 2012, 05:22:49 amThe Metcal MX5000 uses a SMPS but still weighs a ton as it has a cast case

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 01:55:50 pm
content: You could design your own I suppose. A 12V high frequency halogen lamp transformer could be rewound to 24V. I suppose the problem is the EMI may interfere with the analogue temperature control.

author: PhynixViking
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 02:16:21 pm
content: tom66Quote from: tom66 on December 27, 2012, 12:14:33 pmLOL

author: Jeff1946
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 03:35:03 pm
content: I measured a voltage across the tip of my old Weller Junior soldering gun to be 0.28 V. The gun is rated at 130 W input. Thus the current thru the tip must be hundreds of amps. Maybe someone with a clamp on amp meter could measure this. I suppose you could supply gun tip with something along the lines of a microprocessor power supply although I would assume most of the power would be consumed by the semiconductors.

author: Jeff1946
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2012, 08:36:59 pm
content: Figured out the current on my Weller gun, see above. Measured voltage drop of 38 mV on one inch of wire on tip. Cross section is similar to 11 gauge wire. This gives about 120 A. Yep realize some error due to tip temperature but didn't notice much change in voltage as tip heated.

author: NiHaoMike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2012, 03:03:30 am
content: Couldn't the 60Hz transformer be replaced with one running at just above 20kHz, then be driven by an inverter? From what I see, the "secondary" can probably be a single turn and it would actually have less loss than a 60Hz transformer.

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 28, 2012, 12:34:18 pm
content: Sorry, I misunderstood the thread.You're talking about powering a high current soldering gun from a 12V battery. I suppose it's possible to make a Royer converter (a fairly simple self-oscillating circuit with a transformer and could of transistors) and power it from that.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2013, 04:11:24 am
content: While it is not small but it is SMPS soldering station by Solderite at least its not a copy and clone. It's also resold by Chipquick.http://www.solderite.net/en/allProducts.aspx?pid=7http://www.chipquik.com/store/prod_sgs2015.htm

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2013, 11:51:57 am
content: Quote from: nukie on January 18, 2013, 04:11:24 amIt's just another Hakko clone, the handle part at least. The wording of the instruction manual, some diagrams in it, and the heater/sensor pinout are identical to that for the 936.Then again, there's not that many ways to design a handle, and the 907-style has probably become a de-facto standard for the Chinese. Why change what works, when all the tooling is available already and you can take advantage of existing tips compatibility?

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2013, 02:29:15 pm
content: SMPS station excludes the need of heavy transformer and with the price of copper increasing everyday this is a good solution for a cheaper unit. It's good it works with all the existing parts that's what I like about it. Instead of an entirely new system, it is a good idea to build on existing system and a popular one. To me, it looks like a move similar to the wall warts adapters.