Handle hack  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2012, 03:07:22 pm
content: HiIm working on my soldering station, its a Lafayette sdd-9.It works ok but its very hard to find some compatibile tips. The inner diamater its ~6mm!So i have decide to fit an hakko handle to my solder station.Its very easy to find this tips...But i have some problems with the heating element:The original (of my lafayette) heating element has ~3 Ohm at the sensor line, the hakko has ~ 53 OhmI cant find an heating element with this requirements and my soldering station cant control the handle for this reason...How can i reduce the ohm at sensor line?Any suggestions?Regards

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2012, 11:32:58 pm
content: First you need to takes some more measurements of the lafayette sensor and the hakko sensors at a different temperatures (or fine the specs online)You need to figure out what direction the resistance goes when heated and how much the resistance changes per degree, also are they linear?Then you can look at a conversion circuit.

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2012, 11:46:55 pm
content: The Hakko has a special PTC sensor whereas your sensor is probably thermocouple K type sensor.For yourZD-931stazione saldante you might want to try this type of heating element (fits hakko tips)ORIGINAL LINK REMOVED - astronomical price!!Item 230681537349 ~$10 for 5 pieceshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-24V-50W-Ceramic-Core-Heating-Element-Soldering-Iron-/230681537349?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b5b0eb45Item 170805536465 ~$10 for 5 pieceshttp://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-1322-Ceramic-Core-Heating-Element-Soldering-Iron-/170805536465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c4cda6d1Unfortunately this type of heating element might not last as long as your 6mm, they are Nichrome wound in ceramic sleeve instead of heating element printed on ceramic tubes. But seeing that your stazione is 48W it should be okay. I use these with my 70W station it would overheat and die every 6 months or so, with 3-4 hours of use each day.So basically heating element with thick glass impregnented insulation sleeves are the ~53 Ohm Hakko compatible types.And if they are only insulated with thin pieces of silicon sleeves they are the ~3 Ohm thermocouple sensors.Please be note, when installing the thermocouple type, make sure the polarity of the sensor output is correct. Incorrect connection might cause malfunction. Check with your DMM and use a fire lighter to heat up the tips.

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 06:52:04 am
content: Quote from: nukie on October 16, 2012, 11:46:55 pmThanks a lot for your support!I will contact the seller for make sure that sensor line is 3ohmbest wishes!

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 10:51:40 am
content: Resistance changes according to temperature, ~1 ohm at 22C degree. You want low ohm at ambient temperature.When you heat it up, the resistance should increase, if it decrease you got the polarity wrong. Swap the sensor pins.

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 10:54:10 am
content: Quote from: nukie on October 17, 2012, 10:51:40 amthanks so much!when i fill find the correct element i will measure evrything.thanks again

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 10:56:49 am
content: Correction to my post above. My 70W transformer is 27VAC when fully loaded so that's the reason it burned the ceramic sleeve Nichrome heaters. It works fine with 24VAC transformers.I just found out the greedyanalhole (ebay link in my first post) has jack up the price to $109 !!! Usually they sell for around $1 each in China electronics market for 10 pack.So I searched two more thermocouple type heater for you ( HAKKO USERS PLEASE AVOID THIS! )Item 230681537349http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-24V-50W-Ceramic-Core-Heating-Element-Soldering-Iron-/230681537349?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item35b5b0eb45Item 170805536465http://www.ebay.com/itm/5x-1322-Ceramic-Core-Heating-Element-Soldering-Iron-/170805536465?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27c4cda6d1

author: Psi
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 11:02:10 am
content: QuoteYou call that a handle hack, this is a handle hack(The plastic cracked and it wouldn't tighten up)

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 11:08:11 am
content: Hacking competition!~45 grams mod! Maneuver like chopsticks!

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 01:12:55 pm
content: Quote from: nukie on October 17, 2012, 10:56:49 amThanks dude!Are you completely sure that this elements are 3ohm on the sensor line?Because if i will ask to the sellers to measure it, they will reply (im sure about that) that: they cant measure it... or cant open the package... etc etcThey doesnt wants problem from a pedantic* geek like me!*im italian, i dont know if its the rights word

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 02:11:41 pm
content: Look at the instructions paper about the above ebay link:http://www.kcheungshop.com/supports/menu/menu_ac_heating_element_x5_01.jpgIt has 2-2.5ohm at sensor and 16-17ohm at heating element.On my original element both values is ~3ohm!

author: nukie
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 17, 2012, 10:11:37 pm
content: You have small balls sized like peanuts.)Send me your address privately i'll send you a set of heater.

author: trisonic
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2012, 04:57:23 pm
content: it works! thanks dude!