Status of recommendable soldering irons with USB-C or dedicated (notebook) PSU - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: nightfire
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 03:33:55 pm
content: As I probably will do some more projects in winter, I look for some enhancements to my soldering process. Actually I have some very standard 30W Ersa iron, which is not bad, but definitely not in the "very good" category.Irons like the TS-100 caught my eye, and as I have some spare former notebook PSU available in the 60W-90W range, I could use those to power a TS-100 or similar device.Question here: Is the TS-100 still the king of the hill, or are there different alternatives available?For me the better regulation is a big point, faster reheating time due to more power than the existing iron, and maybe the smaller tips when doing finer work.

author: ledtester
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 30, 2022, 04:24:20 pm
content: The Pinecil is a decent alternative. The newer version can be powered by a DC plug or USB-C. Compatible with TS-100 tips. It's also cheaper.https://www.pine64.org/pinecil/Just last month they released an updated version -- you can identify it by the green sleeve (vs. blue sleeve).

author: bateau020
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 04:00:26 pm
content: With the pinecil (v2) make sure you get a high voltage USB-C PSU (and configure the pinecil to ask for higher voltages, max about 20V). Most small USB-C PSUs only go to 9V, and most limit the pinecil thereby to about 11W. An Apple 85W USB-C PSU or the PSU that comes with the Miniware MHP30 (65W) will allow you to go much higher.SDGElectronics's review (275) seems hampered by a bad choice of PSU.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 31, 2022, 11:08:01 pm
content: Here is SDG review:He said the PSU was not the main issue in the comments. The short tips are much better, but you can't buy them yet right?If you don't need the portability, might be better off with just a cheap T12 station or a JBC clone. You haven't mentioned any budget.If you have a 24V notebook PSU, can use that to power a mini-T12 station, 19V is a bit low.

author: bateau020
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 06:49:42 am
content: Quote from: thm_w on October 31, 2022, 11:08:01 pmIndeed, first comments pointed to a bad choice of PSU. Later comments, and my tests, show that 20W is about the max you can get via USB-C (on Apple's 87W PSU) when the tip is already hot (45+W when heating up), unless you press the boost button (+), when you get about 45+W (again). (This is a sign of sub-optimal placement of the temp sensor indeed.). But with "boost", the temps risks overshooting, and I for one have damaged PCBs with that. On the DC jack, I've seen it go up to 80W. But the point of this iron (at least to me) is to have it with me on the road, where USB-C is easier to get to than 24V DC jacks.Anyway, I've tested it on large copper areas, and have found it to be quite usable, and definitely not as bad as shown in the video. Not as good as a good station, but that is to be expected. It may get better with shorter tips.

author: nightfire
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 10:57:56 am
content: Thanks for all the input so far!I myself have thought about budget and different tasks I would have to adress.As I want to do some different stuff (and need some money to buy spare parts for the stuff I will work on), budget for tools is a bit limited. And as I do this as a hobby, with still growing skills, I would not be able to utilize an expensive station to its full potential. Here I tend to buy some decent stuff with known limitations, and upgrade later, when I exactly know what I am looking for.In my case, I started with my 30W Ersa iron, which is quite standard, but spend around 30€ for it- and as this model is well known, lots of people would be able to give me some advice in case of trouble, and I would be able to get spare parts/tips easily or sell it later on with no big loss in value. (And if I would need it less than I anticipated, it would be no big loss of money)So to answer some questions arising:Budget: Preferably in the 100€ league. This would be something a TS-100 would fit into, and the aforementioned TS-12 also.Requirements: I would like to have better temperature control than the existing "dumb" 30W classic iron, and I like to solder leadfree for repairs of modern devices, as I do not want to mix lead and unleaded solder.Quicker re-heating times are also of a concern, in some cases when soldering big through-hole components I finished one joint, and then had to wait seconds for the iron to be hot again for the second joint.Power source: I have some 19V old notebook PSU available, and as I am stocking up on different power supplies I will find have sufficient sources of power up to 24V.Portability: Not of a great concern, but size in general is of a concern, as my bench is not that big and I have to store unused tools in boxes in a cabinet. So anything that uses a small volume is greatly appreciated, and an argument against some bigger stations. (Something like a classic Weller or Hakko FX888 would be the maximum size I go for actually)

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 01, 2022, 10:00:36 pm
content: Quote from: bateau020 on November 01, 2022, 06:49:42 amYeah I'm sure its perfectly usable for most cases.SDG is really testing the performance limits, which some people don't quite understand.Quote from: nightfire on November 01, 2022, 10:57:56 amFor 100 you can get a T12 or JBC clone, AC powered, and a number of tips. You can find a number of threads here on them (Ksger, handskit, quicko, etc.).There are some JBC clones in the same price range, that might be worth looking at, but I haven't seen reviews:https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804167408103.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804167453594.html(if you don't have a hot air station, this looks interesting)https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804593095692.html