Help needed with Zhongdi ZD-912 soldering / rework station - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: philbaker
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2012, 12:20:57 am
content: Does anyone have experience with the ZD-912 station? Mine is branded Duratool. I picked it up cheaply as a non-working item, thinking if I could get either function to work it would be worthwhile. On powering up, the hot air side says "heating up - wait" but the gun stays cold and the air pump stays off. On turning off the air gun, the air pump comes on and the display goes off. I tried undoing the self tapping screws on the gun case, but the mouldings seem to be glued together with PU glue. I hoped to check the air gun element but can't get at it. If its gone do I need to change the whole gun? On the soldering side, the display shows parts of numerals for the set temp. I don't have an iron yet and wanted to check the functionality before spending more on a new iron. Any help would be much appreciated. Internally the system seems quite well made for the price and it would be nice to get it to work.

author: LAZLOT
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 02, 2012, 03:33:12 am
content: I have no direct experience with this brand but, with others I have used it's usually the heat element that goes. I had a quick google and found the Zhongdi site to be no longer responding... Farnell/Element 14 have some parts listed- until sold out, but not a spare element, or complete gun, but they do have Irons and tips. This leads me to think the company is no longer in business. I suggest you check the caps (esp. ESR) which may have caused a tranny/volt-reg or other component to blow... Maybe a temp or current sensor (depending on how the circuit is designed). If these seem OK then maybe try to get a heat gun from e-bay, and hope for the best! But I'd be thinking of accepting my loss and looking for a Hako or Pace unit instead, as you'll have a better chance of getting parts in future. Be careful if you get a Hako, as I know there are limited parts for some of the older models (a general rule with any...). Try to do some spare part searching before committing to your next purchase. Larry

author: T4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2012, 07:32:15 pm
content: ZD is probably not out of business, they sell too much crap to go out anytime.The hot air thing itself can be purchased whole on ebay if you like

author: david77
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2012, 08:15:36 pm
content: The Zhongdi site loads alright here, probably just a glitch.I do have limited experience with their stuff. I've been stupid enough to buy the ZD-916 as my second soldering station. It does what it says on the box, the build quality is so-so but no lethal traps inside. The iron handle gets stupidly hot after some time, the digital temperature setting is annoying (no twisty knob but fiddly buttons). I'm not shure how long the tips or the heating element will last.Otherwise not too bad for the money (about 120EUR incl. spare parts), the iron is good to handle, nice flexible lead and lots of power.But I would not recommend buying it, my Weller WS50 still is my favourite. I'd rather buy a used good brand station instead.