metcal 13MHz power supplies - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: shaling
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2022, 05:58:53 pm
content: Hi,I have a Metcal MFR-1100. It is a completely silent station. No humming or buzzing from the power supply, and switch on front looks to toggle the mains supply. So no sleep power draw when off.I would like to upgrade to the MX-500 or MX-5020 for the nicer hand piece and more options in temperature and tip design.Can any Metcal owners of these 13MHz units comment on sleep power draw and if all the units in their experience make an audible noise from the transformer?Anyone tried to silence the transformer by replacing it with something better?Thanks.

author: loki42
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2022, 10:03:51 pm
content: Haven't noticed the transformer buzz on mine much. Mine is a very old unit and I think recent units would be better. The compatible thermaltronic is pretty cheap too.

author: amc184
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 24, 2022, 03:29:45 am
content: I have an MX500, an unfortunately it does have quite a loud transformer. It varies significantly with load, and I use it as some feedback on how much heat I'm having to put into something, but its still noticeable when idle.There's no true power switch on an MX500, the switch on the top only shuts down the RF stage or something. I have my soldering and hot air stations on a switched outlet that is only switched on when they're in use. The transformer noise reminds me to turn off the outlet!Of course this is just my MX500, I've also used an MX5000 in the workplace, and I don't remember it being noisy.

author: shaling
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 26, 2022, 09:50:11 am
content: Many thanks for the responses. I'll buy a new unit from one of the big UK suppliers and return if noisy. I'll share any noise and sleep power consumption results here. Thanks.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 01:36:56 am
content: The other Metcal SmartHeat are 500 kHz and use a DIN connector and multiconductr cable, instead of coax, our SP-200 design of 1992 is still made, by other names like OK industry.Our lab units from 1990s are still in reliable service with original tips, very slight hum.The standing OFF power is ~4w vs 15..40W running.Jon

author: notsob
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 02:44:24 am
content: The sleep state of the older 13Mhz metcals is achieved via a magnetic surround of the tip in the cradle.

author: edtyler
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2023, 03:38:26 am
content: I'm not sure what you mean by 'modern' but a new 5241 puts out 13.56MHz via coax and a F style connector to the tip holders.Source:https://store.metcal.com/en-ap/shop/soldering-desoldering/soldering-desoldering-systems/mx-series/MX-5241As to the original question, I detect no noise whatever in use. However, my hearing is not the same as a 22 year old.Thanks,Dale

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 27, 2023, 10:55:51 am
content: The older systems like the MX500 had the power switch is on the transformer secondary.The MX500P, MX5000, MX5200 and CV systems all have the power switch on the AC side before the SMPSU (no transformer in these)