MiniWare MHP30  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 16, 2021, 08:34:03 pm
content: A few reviews about this product are starting to appear on Youtube:http://www.miniware.com.cn/product/mhp30-mini-hot-plate-preheater/While searching the forum before posting, I found a couple threads mentioning it, but nothing really dedicated, so I thought I'd start a thread.Haven't gotten ahold of one yet. At first sight, it's so tiny that it looks useless, but apparently it's more useful than it looks. Comes from the same manufacturer that makes the TS100 and TS80 soldering irons.Could anyone having used it tell us a bit more about it? (That could also be an interesting topic for a small review for Dave.)

author: ttt
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 02:13:11 am
content: It is designed for cell phone repair. I find it useful for my PCB work as it replaces a large bulky hot plate in my case. Temperature control is excellent. Both reflowing and de-soldering work really well, even with lead-free. But I deal with mostly very small SMD only PCBs (think Arduino Nano or smaller).It's not useful for any PCB with through hole components as the PCB needs to touch the hot plate to get up to temperature.Holding large PCBs in place might be a problem. If you can't hold your PCB with tweezers it's probably not a good idea to use it.Safety wise I treat it like an open flame. I would not use this on a workbench with a bunch of flammable stuff around it. It's way too easy to bump it and having the hot plate fall on something.

author: MiniWare
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 03:08:13 am
content: We had given Dave a mhp30 to do a review video, but Dave did not reply.

author: SiliconWizard
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 06:18:47 pm
content: I find the idea of this product interesting. There is nothing else like this on the market that I know of. All other hot plates out there are much bigger, draw a lot more power obviously, and can't really be used for the same applications, as the small size allows localized heating.Could be interesting to also see a larger version, maybe something like 100mm x 100mm. Still for small boards, but that would allow using it for reflowing small boards entirely.As to dealing with through hole, maybe a version with a different plate would do. Now I guess both the small area and the solid plate mean that the power needed to heat it can be kept reasonable and thus can come from USB-C...

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 17, 2021, 09:08:34 pm
content: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/small-bottom-heater-for-rework-and-reflow/

author: bateau020
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 04:20:09 pm
content: Has anyone found a source for a spare heater for this item? Mine seems to be busted: 0.2 Ohms instead of 6 Ohms. It is designed to accept replacement heaters, but don't know where to buy them (and at what price). Found nothing, not at their web site (https://e-design.com.cn/), not on aliexpress.Investigation shows it is (as can be expected) a bonding problem at the heater element: the resistance depends on the position and mechanical tension of the wire. Meaning: if you are stuck, by pushing the wires a bit, you might get it working again (I did), but don't count on a definitive solution with that.

author: artag
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 02, 2025, 04:27:58 pm
content: I have one and find it quite useful. However I've also bought a bigger hotplate - it's fine for replacing or installing single ICs but a struggle for a whole board.The top of mine is starting to look a bit worn. Eventually it will need replacing but I haven't foiund a source either. As you say, it does seem that miniware expected to make it replaceable.There are now a bunch of much cheaper clones. I haven't tried any of them but I think they'd be cheaper than getting an offical replacement part even if miniware sold them.Mine measures 6 ohm across the 2-pin connectors and 100 ohm across the 3-pin (with the middle pin unconnected). The metalwork is connected to one of the 2-pin pins.