HAKKO FX-888 teardown + review - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2011, 07:50:30 am
content: PART 1As the Weller WX2 proved to be unfinished crap and after getting back my money from Weller i decided to try something little bit cheaper.After searching for a 220 V unit everywhere i could not find any. There was some on eBay from unknown Chinese sellers with price about 140 $ bigger than at reliable USA sellers. Add VAT and tax to this and its a nice amount. Plus the unit shipped from china will travel 1 month and come beaten up like usually when packed by Chinese sellers while the one from USA will arrive in few days with USPS express mail international.So i ordered 110 V variant in hope of exchanging the transformer and saving 140 $. Then unit arrived today after 4 days, triple boxed with huge amount of Styrofoam chunks. The retail box looks like it came from Hakko few minutes ago, not around the world. I really love USA based eBay power sellers and their careAs soon i come home i will open it up and see what can be done in the 110 V - > 220 V conversion.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2011, 04:09:39 pm
content: There are taps for the 220V conversion!Good luck!

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2011, 04:25:47 pm
content: I hear that 220V ones are made in China, see the label on the bottom, and the 110V are made in Malaysia. I'm curious if there are any build differences.

author: shadowless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 13, 2011, 09:47:21 pm
content: hope to hear the good news soon. Might need to convert mine too if i move.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 12:06:01 am
content: Quote from: saturation on July 13, 2011, 04:25:47 pmMy unit is 230 V 50/60 Hz made in Malaysia. I bought it from Hakko Philippines last Jan 2011.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 03:26:19 am
content: Quote from: Ronnie on July 14, 2011, 12:06:01 amMine is 110V, made in Malaysia

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 04:25:41 am
content: PART III opened the unit and the transformer does not have higher voltage taps. There is only one more transformer tap which gives about 1 Ohm bigger resistance and is probably used for 120 V. I measured the original transformer and its 28 VOC and fells to 26 V when loaded. After digging trough boxes with unmarked transformers using my meter and power cable i found a transformer i remowed from a Vivax subwoofer amplifier just few days ago. Its original in specs for hakkoI glued it with thermal epoxy and the unit even does need any calibration. I saved 140 $, weeeeeeThe only bad comment about the soldering iron would be that the main on/off switch does not have insulated leads, it just relies it will not be pushed in but however it can fall out and mains voltage sits insulated 0.5 cm from bottom case. Fixed that !

author: Armin_Balija
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 06:07:20 am
content: phew! Look at all that epoxy!!! hahaha. Anyway, great teardown and pictures! I love it!How's it performing? What do you think overall?? I was thinking to buy this!!

author: elCap
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 06:46:12 am
content: Thanks for some good teardown pictures. And good timing as I also was thinking of buying one from US, although I'm in Japan. Less than half price in US compared to here!The problem is that US have 110V while Japan have 100V. I hope there are taps on the trafo for 100V. Should be as it seems that Hakko only has two type of trafos (seen in this pdfhttp://www.hakkousa.com/AHPDirect/download/UM/FX888e20100831.pdf). Or I'll just leave it.. I have measured mains to 105V at home so it should work ok I guess.

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 07:32:44 am
content: Quote from: Armin_Balija on July 14, 2011, 06:07:20 amThat transformer is verry heavy and possibly when moving the base it would smash all inside, so epoxy is exactly what neededI soldered about an hour yesterday i need to get some tips. The delivered one is small chiesel good only for trough hole. But in conclusion that is a AMAAZINGLY GOOD iron for money i spent on it. It beats expensive Weller crap i was buying. To be honest i think i found my supplier of soldering stuffFor elCap: the unit had 110/120 V taps, running it on 100 V wont matter.

author: shadowless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 01:01:09 pm
content: how many amp is the replacement transformer?

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 02:12:51 pm
content: Quote from: shadowless on July 14, 2011, 01:01:09 pm2.5 A, which is exactly 65 W as the iron is.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 03:59:24 pm
content: Quote from: elCap on July 14, 2011, 06:46:12 amI don't think 10V is much of a difference. In some rural areas in 110V countries, voltage goes down to 100V. I have heard cases here where it goes as low as 76V! I get 117V consistently. 94V between Live and Earth. Some installations just connect Neutral to the Earth in both points of a circuit so save a cable.The result is unstable voltage that changes with the conditions of the (physical) ground. Now I have confirmed my home has a proper mains connection. This is something not all houses have, unfortunately. Thanks to incompetent engineers looking to save money on a ground cable, people wonder why their fridge shocks them and they have to get the computer repaired for the same problem every 6 months.Warning: the following paragraph is a rant on Earthing and safety.A month ago I discovered one of the rooms at home has a terrible installation. So bad I could do my own being an electronics hobbyist with no previous experience in wiring houses. The room was built after the house, so it was kind of an expansion. The idiots took a neutral wire from the next room and they had the live wire directly from the energy meter. They installed a breaker box outside the house, on a *second* floor, outdoors, no protection at all (I seriously doubt that box is waterproof) and wired the thing to the inside. No Earth wire at all, not even shared between the outlets but ungrounded, there was nothing. They didn't even cared about wiring the thing for somebody to ground it. The result is a very nasty voltage on the computer's power strip. They actually wired a second Live line from another breaker in the breaker box and leaved it like that. If they used the money in that wire, why did they used it on something that didn't have any use at the moment? They did it so they can say "oh, now you have a separate circuit, so you can plug more things". Those things will shock you, of course.Ivan

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 04:50:39 pm
content: @hacklordsniper: awesome job! The 888 is a great iron, I think overall Hakko beats Weller mainly because its consistency in its product quality. Your review scoops eevblog who hasn't had the time to put a thorough one up, although he has had this iron for some time.The PCB and layout is very similar to the 936 except its more cramped into a smaller box. While i love the smaller footprint, and overall you get more items for the 888 than the 936 package [ when it was still sold ] the 936 case is easily stacked for storing items on top of it or among other test gear, which can't be done with the smooth curves of the 888.I noticed Hakko has a version with decals, do Hakko owners receive it in their box? There seems to be no price difference.http://www.hakkorc.com/Plain jane:

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 05:36:45 pm
content: Thanks Ronnie and others. As I was confirming other discussions and I kept running into URLs which claim to be the 'point of origin'.http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/357321078/Hakko_soldering_station_FX888.htmlThis is probably mislabeled, as they companies listed as 'manufacturers' also do import/export, which I presume they act as agents.Quote from: Ronnie on July 14, 2011, 12:06:01 am

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 05:51:32 pm
content: In the US, power quality is defined as 120 +/- 10%. Most voltage regulators will drop to as low as 90VAC and 140 AC rms before shutting themselves down. IIRC many power supplies are designed to swing to those maximum tolerances.On grounds, or wiring in general, yes, electricians, not engineers, can and do wire homes not to NEC rules. That also means the room addition did not get certification by a proper inspector. It maybe also the homeowner did the addition themselves, and thus wiring it pell mell, but if it was a contractor, then the original homeowner can hold that contactor liable while the current homeowner can go after the original homeowner.Quote from: ivan747 on July 14, 2011, 03:59:24 pm

author: Semantics
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2011, 07:50:16 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on July 14, 2011, 04:50:39 pmWhoa, must be the new trendy thing to do.I had just pulled the trigger on an Agilent U1252B meter early this month (my first meter of that class) and it came with 4 stickers to apply over the front!(I did a google search to find pictures of it while I'm at work and would up at another thread on this board.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/index.php?topic=1955.0.It would be much more nerdy (cooler) if they let you download the templates and do your own stuff. I'd probably transliterate the text on it into the Klingon alphabet.Quote from: hacklordsniper on July 13, 2011, 07:50:30 amWhat was wrong with it, if you don't mind me asking? Years ago I picked up a Weller WES51. I don't think the 888 was out at the time, but it's pretty close in it's specs size-wise (actually a smidge smaller if WxHxD specs are to be believed) and, except for a little ramp on the front, it's mostly flat on top. Granted it's much cheaper and seems much different from the WX2 so the issues you experienced probably don't even apply.If I was in the market for a soldering station today, I'd probably pick the 888 over the WES51, personally.

author: Ronnie
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2011, 12:26:45 am
content: Most likely units sold in the Philippines are the same units sold in Australia, Europe, & New Zealand. The Philippines is a 220 V 60 Hz country. This is a rare combination of voltage and frequency since 220 - 240 V countries use 50 Hz while 110 - 120 V countries like Canada and the U.S. of A. are 60 Hz.

author: shadowless
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2011, 01:24:11 am
content: The sticker is quite niceThe US version that i got recently doesn't have it.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2011, 03:21:24 am
content: Quote from: saturation on July 14, 2011, 05:51:32 pmWe have always been the homeowners. The person who did the wiring was probably a subcontractor, and I have never heard of anybody inspecting an electrician job here. It was wired 7 years ago, so tracking him is nearly impossible. Dealing with him would be a hassle anyway, if he was so negligent and incompetent not to wire the earthing cable, I don't think he will do it 7 years after even with legal pressure. After all, a lawsuit will cost more to us than installing the earth wire. Big companies probably have their electric installations inspected, but normal people don't give a toss, they just want to see the lights turning on.

author: img
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2011, 07:17:16 am
content: How unsurprising that Weller screwed up yet again. I never buy Weller anymore, overpriced, annoying and disappointing as they've become.Mind you, they were always overpriced and annoying, but at least the quality was there, and there weren't that many alternatives.Come to mama, my little weird-coloured FX888....

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2011, 02:35:18 pm
content: Sorry to hear. That's probably how this sub-contractor can continue to work and spread his skills to other unsuspecting people. In the US and many places in the world, electrical work has to receive local, town, province, city, or state permits and includes an inspection to insure the work was done to electrical standards. The rules determine what needs inspection; changing a socket to a stylish one won't need inspection, but adding a new branch circuit will, for example. The bigger problem is causing a fire, that threatens the safety of the neighborhood. You can always do your own contract work, but if a problem happens from poor workmanship that can be traced to code violations, the homeowner will be held liable civilly to all the injured people [ say your house guests or employees like maids or gardeners or the adjoining houses that were damaged by fire or even just water] and criminally to the city. It will be a big headache in the US.Quote from: ivan747 on July 16, 2011, 03:21:24 am

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 16, 2011, 02:41:11 pm
content: I did a thermograph of the Hakko 936 iron and I was very surprised; this is why you pay extra. The hot shaft of the iron can be hundreds of degrees lower than the tip; likewise even the main body of the tip is not as hot; nearly all the heat is concentrated at the tip where if properly calibrated, it will be what is dialed into the solder station. This means a minimum of uneeded heat is transmitted to the ambient, and likewise as you solder the radiating heat from the tip is minimized to the other components the tip is near, as you are soldering.Compared to a cheap plug in iron, where the entire lenght of the heated segment of the iron is nearly the same temperature as the tip!Quote from: img on July 16, 2011, 07:17:16 am

author: shadewind
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2011, 01:00:22 am
content: Quote from: Semantics on July 14, 2011, 07:50:16 pmMy experience with Weller quality is also very good. I have a WD1002 station which I am very satisfied with.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2011, 03:28:59 am
content: Quote from: saturation on July 14, 2011, 05:36:45 pmI have never heard of a Hakko China factory. Their most recent factory is in Malaysia. Even the cheapest nastiest Hakko Red is made in Japan.The clones are alarmingly identical until you look at the circuit board.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 17, 2011, 12:04:15 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on July 17, 2011, 03:28:59 amThe original 936 was made in Japan, so it was interesting to see the new 888 move to Malaysia. The 888 cost much less than the 936 when it was introduced, and you get more accessories with it.Quote from: shadewind on July 17, 2011, 01:00:22 amWeller is good, but their have been quality reports about low cost stations, the longevity of its heating element and tip quality; but just looking at Amazon, the differences are tiny; between the WES51 vs the 936 which are are similar products, its between 4+ stars vs 5 stars.Since China is the current top source of electronic manufacturing, its a good testament to Hakko's reputation that copies are made of Hakko 936 and not Weller. You can of course, get better performance than the 936 by buying more costly stations, but it seems Hakko 936 technology turned out to be a good balance of heating accuracy, temperature speed, and low cost, and so the new FX 888 takes off on the 936's reputation as a general purpose workstation, rather than something for factories.Its hard to compare irons, because you really have to compare similar models not just the entire brand, as Weller and Hakko make a lot of products. Here is one example of measurements.http://www.oemelectronics.se/upl/doc/performance_comparison_0909_1_.pdfI don't think the difference shown really will matter in home lab use, it probably will in assembly line use in terms of errors and poor joints, doing 1000 of joints a day by hundreds of employees.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2011, 05:38:50 am
content: Quote from: saturation on July 16, 2011, 02:35:18 pmIt takes me off when I think about what's happening out there.

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2011, 08:07:10 am
content: I have ordered a bunch of tips. I bought from same seller again, he even made special listing for me to use combined shipping (his auctions require immediate payment).If somebody needs he is niosales on ebay

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2011, 03:41:29 pm
content: Hey, have you seen the new HAKKO 8802 and 8803 irons? They look very good. I like the wide selection of products compatible with the FX-888. I see they are allowing distributors to include different tips. They say they can include 220V transformers on North American orders, they have different colors (not available in the Americas, though) and they include the brass sponge, even if it isn't pictured in 80% of the product photos I have seen on online retailers.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 18, 2011, 05:40:31 pm
content: Here is a set of reviews from eHam, many which compare similar Hakko to Weller models.http://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/2871?page=1Here is a guy with an impressive collection of soldering tools, and he reviews them too:http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/416001/reviews-some-people-collect-amps-i-collect-soldering-stations#post5547567

author: elCap
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 04:47:02 am
content: I quote myself here just to tell that FX-888 made for US works very well in Japan. I case someone wonder..And I must say 888 is very good, nice design, heat up quickly and it's easy to handle the iron during soldering. I'm very happy with it.Got it from Tequipment for $76 (+shipping of course, but it was a big order so it was ok) , very good price compared to what you have to pay for it if bought in Japan, $170.Quote from: elCap on July 14, 2011, 06:46:12 am

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 04:53:53 am
content: Does anyone know of an online source selling these for the 220-240VAC market and which takes PayPal?

author: Freighternut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 05:13:02 am
content: RS NZ sells them. However I cant find if they take payment via PayPal.http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/search/searchBrowseAction.html?method=getProduct&R=6803464I buy from the quite often, but always by credit Card.Cheers, Roger...

author: Thomas
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 12, 2011, 07:08:45 pm
content: You could tryhttp://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale/wholesale-hakko.html

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 02:40:27 am
content: Buy from aliexpress with care, there are lots of immiation. But most sellers are honest enough to tell you if its clone or genuine if you contact them.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 12:05:57 pm
content: Try HakkoUSA.comQuote from: RCMR on August 12, 2011, 04:53:53 am

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 09:15:42 pm
content: Quote from: saturation on August 13, 2011, 12:05:57 pmCouldn't find any 220-240AC models there and no PayPal.

author: Unknown
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 09:45:03 pm
content: Most real distributors will not take Paypal. It's mainly used by vendors too small for a real merchant account, companies that customers don't trust or that banks don't want to do business with.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 13, 2011, 11:05:11 pm
content: To get a 220V version from HakkoUSA you must discuss availability with LIVE HELP using the chat. Best to speak to a live person, don't leave a message, and wait for the shop to open, they are on Pacific daylight time. They may not ship outside the USA but the rep is very helpful and friendly and can decide for you. I asked them about it some time ago. Follow the directions on the website. They take Paypal for web orders and it will say so at the checkout. I just bought some other items 3 weeks ago and used Paypal.http://www.hakkousa.com/kb/article.aspx?id=10524&query=FX888@alm: I agree, but HakkoUSA goes out of their way to please the customers, so they are one of the few that offer paypal from their webstore. They do not advertise their webstore so as not to compete with their distributors, and their prices are a little higher ... but there is a catch, its often free shipping and handling in the USA for UPS ground and there is no minimum purchase, and there is a free gift from them for each dollar limit, t shirts, hats, mugs, etc.. that you can choose!Quote from: RCMR on August 13, 2011, 09:15:42 pm

author: eternal_noob
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2011, 03:21:39 pm
content: I hope I'll give some useful information here, but please arrest me if I'm lying too much.The transformer in FX-888 is a ''turbo charged'' 25 to 30VA or so, EI66 core (most likely one that can handle high flux density) with a low impedance primary to keep good voltage regulation on the secondary. The core and transformer will be too small for continuous loads, but since a solder station under normal circumstances only represents a intermittent load, it still does the job without having a breakdown.So if people want to modify their '888 for 230 Volts, they will need a core (and primary winding) with similar specs as described above. There are a few EI66 cores out there with different thicknesses, but with equal mounting hole spacing, so there's nothing wrong in using a bit thicker core. It will still fit in the '888.I'm actually a bit surprised I haven't seen Chinese made 230V transformers for the '888 on e-bay yet. Could possibly bring in some money for those who decides to do.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2011, 04:52:58 pm
content: Quote from: eternal_noob on August 15, 2011, 03:21:39 pmInteresting. I've noticed the case of my FX-888 gets slightly warm when I use the iron continuously to make lots of joints.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2011, 11:38:59 pm
content: Would kill-A-watt meter be quick enough to read the wattage while its heating up?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2011, 01:29:24 am
content: I used my FX-888 today with a large chisel tip to make some joints with a lot of metal to heat. Boy, is this iron mean! It turns up the heat and it's like having a furnace blasting in your face. Needless to say it completed the soldering task as effortlessly as a stroll in the park. I'm getting to be seriously impressed with this tool.

author: saturation
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 21, 2011, 12:24:19 pm
content: Yes, but it will jerk around a lot when the LED blinks, but you can estimate its power consumption from there.Quote from: nukie on August 15, 2011, 11:38:59 pm

author: nzo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2011, 01:08:21 am
content: So far, I love my Hakko FX-888. Been using it to put together a Softrock Ensemble RX2 ham receiver and it has performed like a charm. But then again, I'm not an electron counter

author: SgtRock
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2011, 02:48:47 am
content: I have 2 Hakko 936s sitting one atop the other. One with a 908 conversion and the largest chisel tip for desoldering. One with a 907 wand and the standard chisel for ordinary soldering. Both have the green LED power on conversion. I plan to get a used one and set it up with a 906 wand for fine work. They are bullet proof. I love them.Clear Ether

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 08:14:27 pm
content: What's that on the side?

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 10:36:22 pm
content: It's aBCR5KM. You'd rather bump a 4-year-old thread instead of Googling?

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 07, 2015, 11:04:03 pm
content: Why aren't they using a toroid transformer instead?

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 08:38:55 am
content: Quote from: amyk on July 07, 2015, 10:36:22 pmThanks. My search for DCR5KM didn't come up with much. But the real question is, why is it located there and not on the PCB like the FX-888D?BTW, I don't see why the thread age is a factor. Ageism?

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 02:50:09 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on July 08, 2015, 08:38:55 amMetal base acts as a heat sink with no increase in parts cost.

author: timofonic
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 02:52:39 pm
content: I don't understand why being an old thread is a cause to not post. I just wanted to look a teardown of FX-888D and was amazed why they don't use a toroidal transformer. It seems toroidal transformers are more efficient and can make the unit even smaller or allow more size for other stuff, likesparkybg said about his UniSolder controller.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 06:00:07 pm
content: Quote from: nanofrog on July 08, 2015, 02:50:09 pmThe 888D makes do without. Is it just a standoff for the transformer on the 888-non-D?Quote from: Circuiteromalaguito on July 08, 2015, 02:52:39 pmYeah. I never understand posts that start with an apology for continuing an old thread, or complaints on doing so. Relevant information doesn't have an expiry date, and it's better than starting multiple threads on the same topic.

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 06:41:27 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on July 08, 2015, 06:00:07 pmIt's relatively common practice to use the metal base as a heat sink across multiple manufacturers. Regardless if they use a separate device or the enclosure's base plate however, the triac/s require heat sinks.

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 07:08:53 pm
content: That's all the BTA06 gets on the 888D:

author: nanofrog
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 07:18:04 pm
content: Quote from: lpc32 on July 08, 2015, 07:08:53 pmYou do realize that the BRC5KM you asked about a few posts up as also a triac, right?

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 08, 2015, 08:02:32 pm
content: Yes.

author: ssrobzoom
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 11, 2016, 09:36:58 pm
content: Does anyone have the original Hakko FX888 110volt transformer they want to part with?

author: lpc32
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2016, 02:52:12 pm
content: I'd be happy to part with it. In exchange for a 230V one.