Weller Pyropen Butane or Propane? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:38:53 pm
content: Hi,I'm new here but I have this question and never had a chance to ask some people that maybe have the same gas soldering iron.I have Weller Pyropen and I use butane, normal gas for lighters and simmilar (1-2EUR a 500ml bottle). When I have bought this soldering iron I received small bottle of propane gas.Should I use propane or butane with this soldering iron. I have a feeling that when I was using propane that it worked better, that it lighted up faster. Now when I use butane it needs few "light up" pushes to turns on. Is that normal? or am I using wrong type of gas?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 07:56:29 pm
content: I have a Portasol butane iron and it always lights first time with one click. IMHO it's not normal to need more than one push of the igniter on such an iron.However, it is possible for the catalyst to become deactivated after months of use or from impure fuel. Then it might be harder to light. You might want to try a new tip.

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:02:47 pm
content: I dont know, its quite new one. I have it maybe for 6 months, I use it mostly when I'm out of the house. Trying to fix something in a car, put new speakers and so on where is problem finding electric plug. I have dissasembled the whole thing, everything inside is like new, the tip is also like new. Igniter works normal, I can see the spark everytime i click it. But have to try 5-6 times to turn on. Sometime i have problem and am clicking it 2-3 minutes to turn on. But when turs on, it works normaly does not die or lose power. Works as it should. Just have problem turning it on.That is why I suspect its butane gas fault? but as i researched butane gas should burn even better then propane?

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:09:56 pm
content: When you turn on the gas and before you click the igniter, does it hiss? In cold temperatures you may need to warm up the gas reservoir a bit with your hand to increase the gas pressure to get a good flow.Also, try adjusting the gas flow to a lower setting (1/4 or 1/2) before trying to light it. If the gas flow is too high it will be harder to light.

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:23:44 pm
content: It has only one button. Button turns on the gas and ignites - gives the spark at the same time. Then there is a secondary small button to turn off when finished. I have the gas allways to lowest setting. But high and low setting is maybe 20% difference. Maybe to try to manualy adjust the gas to go even lower but I dont know if I should mess with this it could be dangerous

author: JoeyP
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:32:35 pm
content: I used a Weller pen with butane for field service for a long time. For the most part it was a great product, providing more heat than you could possibly use. However, I did find it to be very finicky about lighting when at higher altitudes (above about 3000' or so). Really would have benefited from some way to adjust the fuel/air ratio. I always suspected it was the butane that made it critical, but never tried propane (wasn't available in the correct form factor in those days).

author: Lifeboat_Jim
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:39:28 pm
content: Not a huge difference between them but; Butane burns hotter but doesn't work well at low temperatures.I have Butane in mine, I'd rather use electric any moment of the day of course.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 08:41:11 pm
content: Although it doesn't help with what you already have, I suggest the Weller P2C as an alternative. See P2C or P2KC on this page:http://www.testequipmentdepot.com/weller/portable/butane-portasol-pyropen.htmCompletely reliable and effective in operation.

author: mtbolha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 09:04:37 pm
content: This P2KC is interesting, it has nice case and everything included. Now i have Pyropen WP1 (looks like WSTA6 from website you provided, just its red color insted of light blue), but if no luck with fixing it maybe I will swap to P2KC. ThanksMaybe somebody has any ideas about ignition?

author: xstream
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 07, 2013, 10:53:10 pm
content: I can recommend the P2KC, it lights very fast and burns pretty long on one filling.