Has anyone tried any of these china PCB preheaters? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2021, 04:22:16 am
content: It looks like I need to buy a preheater for working on the current project (6 layer 3oz pcb).A normal hotair gun on room temp PCB is way to slow.Has anyone used any of these china preheaters and have any opinions on them?Thanks,https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002194258244.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000261330302.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.com/item/32840717892.html

author: ANTALIFE
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2021, 04:33:58 am
content: Have not tried any of above, but I did mod a ZhengBang ZB2020JR who I think make quite descent hot plates & have good customer supporthttps://www.antalife.com/2018/10/project-hot-plate-mod.html

author: kripton2035
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2021, 08:05:17 am
content: I bought one some years ago and it's a good tool to have.there are two main models, with different power.the low power ones are only to remove glue, or glass lcd (which is also glue)the high power can also melt soldier on a pcb to remove quickly components, or even to make your own boards.I have a high power one and use it mainly for glue removal ... don't ask me ! I don't had pcb to make like this.it works fine for the price it's really a nice tool.

author: kylehunter
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 20, 2021, 01:55:33 pm
content: We have the "PUHUI" brand IR plate. We bought it just as a stop gap until we get a "proper" one. But honestly, the thing works great, I really don't have any complaints. The only one I guess I have, is the rails that hold the board are trash, and constantly slide.

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 12:01:17 am
content: Thanks,Yeah, looks like the PUHUI T-8280 is a better option.Radiant heat and lower height making it easier to use the microscope on top if needed.Also more expensive so more likely to be better quality.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 08:54:46 am
content: The first two pics are not really preheaters, they are just hotplates and typically sold for things other than soldering PCBs. They can still be used for soldering, or more commonly desoldering - but only work well with single PCB without any THT parts.You need the style in the third pic for any extra heat from hot air or soldering station being useful, otherwise it will just be absorbed by the mass of hotplate.

author: Kean
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 21, 2021, 09:08:12 am
content: BTW, I have a KADA preheater which is a bit smaller than the Puhui one in your pic. It is OK, but doesn't get used much.I also have hotplates (Mechanic ET-10, Aouyue? 946C LCD separator, cheap PTC heaters) which have worked well for reworking LED MCPCBs and occasionally salvaging parts from older PCBs, but generally have terrible temperature control.

author: DIYGUY Chris
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 09:20:59 am
content: I didn't tried any of those models but I use a Chinese screen separator as soldering hot-plate, it says that it could reach 400°C but it just stops at 215°C ! so my only solution to assemble electronics on this hot-plate is by using a low-temperature solder paste which molten at 180°C and it works like charm

author: TERRA Operative
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 09:51:20 am
content: I have one that with some mods is actually pretty good.Here's a video of my brothers unit, mine is the same.

author: eb4fbz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 22, 2021, 01:34:35 pm
content: I use a Yihua 853A daily since 5 years ago.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2021, 11:19:12 pm
content: The flat aluminum plate style doesn't make sense unless you are working on a single sided board. IMO.Quote from: eb4fbz on August 22, 2021, 01:34:35 pmI use Gordak 853, basically clone of Yihua 853:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/ir-preheater-and-hot-air-yihua-853/Works well.