Metcal STSS-PS2V - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: Marco_0885
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 01:33:42 pm
content: Hello I've got question concerning the Metcal STSS-PS2V. I never considered to buy one since I'm a poor student but a couple days ago I found one on a scrapyard and it also works. In the same box I found a brand new handpiece for Metcal MFR-HSR. My Question now is is there an adapter or some kind of mod so I could use this handpiece with the Metcal STSS.Thanks in advance.Greetings Marco

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 02:09:23 pm
content: Quote from: Marco_0885 on May 24, 2014, 01:33:42 pmNo, they are for complete different systems. The PS2V works in the 13.56MHz band, the MFR stuff is in the sub-MHz range. How did you check that the PS2V works, if you don't have a handpiece for it? Without anything connected it will immediately go into fault mode (yellow LED on). However, that can also happen if something else is wrong with the unit.Greetings,Chris

author: Marco_0885
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 02:21:18 pm
content: Hello,thank you for the quick response. Sad to hear that there is no chance to use the handpiece, but maybe I will find one on the net. I testet the station with a handpiece from a friend because he's got the right handpiece.Thanks again for your answer.Greetings

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 02:41:58 pm
content: Quote from: Marco_0885 on May 24, 2014, 02:21:18 pmLook for MX-RM3E or MX-H1-AV if you want an original Metcal handpiece, or look for SHP-1 for the equivalent from Thermaltronics. The Thermaltronics one is compatible to the Metcal ones. If you are not in a hurry, you can also watch eBay for Metcal stuff. Sometimes you can get handpieces there for little money, although not very often.Greetings,Chris

author: Marco_0885
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 03:39:05 pm
content: So I checked if I can find any of the compatible irons but unfortunately there was no used one for a cheaper price. I guess I'll have to save up to get one but since I only had to pay 5€ on the scrapyard for the station that should still be a good deal for a Metcal. I always wanted one again.Thank you for the help.GreetingsMarco

author: mamalala
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: May 24, 2014, 04:07:52 pm
content: Quote from: Marco_0885 on May 24, 2014, 03:39:05 pmFive bucks is a great price indeedKeep an eye on "metcal" and "metcal smtc" on eBay. Very often you can get tips for the MX system for cheap (the PS2V uses the same tips as the MX). STTC are the "normal" ones, "SMTC" are "specialty" tips, like for SOIC packages, SMD chip packages like resistors and caps, large blades, etc. Sometimes you can get a bunch of NOS tips for cheap, like 5 SOIC tips, new old stock, for like 25 dollars or so. Either resell the excess or share with friends that also have a 13.56 Metcal (or compatible)Greetings,ChrisEdit: And see to it that you get mostly the SMTC or STTC 1xxx tips. They work just fine for leadfree and leaded, as well as on larger copper areas. They rae the 700°F/370°C version. The 0xxx are the 600°F/315°C variant. While they work OK for most stuff as well, they can sometimes be insufficient for larger things like heavy groundplanes in multilayer boards, etc.