FS: 6 METCAL SMARTHEAT SOLDERING STATIONS CHICAGO $250- BULLETPROOF! - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Reckless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 12:37:36 am
content: 6 METCAL SMARTHEAT SOLDERING STATIONS SP200 USEDBULLETPROOF DESIGNLASTS FOREVERINSTANT HEATING, DON'T NEED TO WAIT FOR UNIT TO WARM UPLIGHTWEIGHTEASY TO USE$250/EA or $1250 FOR ALL 6PERFECT FOR NEW BUSINESSES/STARTUPS!

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 01:03:48 am
content: a good picture could help you selling those puppies

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2022, 01:51:12 pm
content: To improve the post: I was the designer of SP-200 for Metcal/Raychem 1989..1992I still have the units I was given after my consulting was finished. These are 30W resonant mode soft switching current source inverter driving a curie point tip induction heating via a coil.A small tech point: It is NOT instant, my spec heat time was 20 sec cold to 90% of Toperate of tip.You should [post an actual photo of the units for sale rather than a stock photo.Includes tips? New in boxes? used?Bon Chance,Jon

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 12:16:38 am
content: What do you know about a previous models ?Or just that one .If you wouldn't a question .

author: KE5FX
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 12:40:20 am
content: I know that magnet gets yanked from the holder within 20 seconds of one of those landing on my desk.Not sure if that parameter was in the spec, but it's an important one.

author: Reckless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 01:20:31 am
content: Quote from: jonpaul on March 18, 2022, 01:51:12 pmThank you for correction I didn't realize it wasn't instant heating. Great design! Metcal has been trying hard to get these off the market as they last forever. They offer large credits to trade them in.Chisel tips are included.

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 10:32:53 am
content: Rebonjour à tous1/ original photo was stock shows new unit. These are heavily used from a production house. Good chance of bad tips, abused connectors, etc.2/ I,would estimate $35..65 a more realistic price. Try ebay but sell separate not as,a,lot.3/ Metcal had originally used,13.5 MHz ISO frequency RF, needed a specified coax and coax connection.I was the consultant to create a 500 kHz model with lower EMI, easier cable and connectors required, 20 sec warming up, which became SP-200, later handed by OK industries and others.4/ Have no idée about magnetic holders.5/ Beware the Metcal tips are costly, and Chinese knockoffs are junk. Original Metcal tips packaging special blister pack.6/ tips are,different for various handles and models. The tip diameter and temperature mean a great numberof SKUs.7/ Turn off soon as possible after use. Easy to forget it is left on.I hope these notes are interestingBon weekendJon

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 11:07:27 am
content: Rebonjour,Found all my old Metcal development protos, etc.MET9 My 1994 prototype on breadboard and early PCBMET0 tips and holdersMET1 from hand wired proto to SP-200 productionYour comments are appreciated!Jon

author: HighVoltage
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 11:51:50 am
content: @jonpaulHow interesting to meet the designer of the SP-200Thanks for your notes.Are you allowed to share the schematics?

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 19, 2022, 01:07:12 pm
content: Cher Monsieur High Voltage!Many thanks for your kind wordsOver a 53 years as, consultant and electronic engineer, I accumulated ~ 100 bankers boxes of projects files. I will dig!The schematic and files are 1991, 1992., faded and marked up blueprints...no CAD!The Metcal patents are long expired. Design was a classic resonant mode soft switching current source, single switch FET.Note the 13.5 MHz Metcal schematics and clones were discussed on EEVBlog over the years.Just the ramblings of an old retired EEJon

author: KD0CAC John
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 08:43:21 pm
content: One of my questions [ did not ask 1st time ] was I have had a few of the PS2E-01 , think I have the model , at least closeI have most every acc. I could find the dual stand , tweezers [ haven't go the stand ,yet ] , the desoldering gun stand .A large number of tip for the soldering handle maybe 80 or so , 3-4 sets for the tweezers [ really like this with the smallest components like resistors / caps in cell phones .Everything works but the DE-soldering gun , have new & old tips , checked for shorts & opens in coax ?ThanksLeft out the DE for desolderingI tried using a male to female F connector - that didn't work - the pin is too small .I am surprised how many do not want , like whatever tweezers , so much easier for the small components in tight spaces ?

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 20, 2022, 08:55:34 pm
content: Bonjour KDOCACI am not familiar with the soldering guns.of Metcal, only the 500 kHz SP-200.The 13.5 MHz output requires a specific coax and legnth.if its defective, have you checked the connectors for opens, shorts, frayed cable etc? Beware both inner conducteur and shields become intermittent with use.The power unit can be debuged with non inductive dummy load, we used a 20..50 Ohms 100 W load resistance in series with a small inductor to simulate the tip coil.Bon courageJon

author: Zucca
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 01:36:55 am
content: Jonpaul,I am a huge Metcal fan.Great respect to you for all your past work!!!!!I love the old school way, no Temp adjustment!! I do not have recovered mentally form the newest models with T adjustableAnyway in my long project list I want to take an old small Metcal PS-800 and convert it so I can power it up from batteries.My plan is 18V power tool Lion battery with a DCDC converter.There are rumors the efficiency of the Metcal are not the best, can you confirm that? To me not a show stopper, I just go bigger in batteries.Any other suggestion to make a portable Metcal system?

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 21, 2022, 09:46:55 am
content: Rebonjour Cher Zucca, mille mercis pour votre gentil notes !The Metcal power station uses av30 V mains transformer and rectification to obtain a low voltage DC, then a resonant mode converter to create a 13.5 MHz or 500 kHz constate current.To make a battery operated you need a mains fréquence inverter 50..100 W then power the existing stationIndeed efficiency was not an issue in the design of 1991, as mains Signal Transformer has losses, then the converter. Easier to design portable LVDC converter directly.The fixed temperature tips are inherent in the Smartheat concept. Raychem/ Metcal patents reveal a curie point heating element inside of a solenoid coil. A constant current is driven through the coil by the power station. No separate heater and thermostat or temperature sensor...the heater IS the sensor! This pioneering invention gives a constant temperature regulation at the tip, fast warming up and low hysterysis.My rôle in 1990..1991 as a power electronics consultant, was to design circuit, layout PCB, wind and design inductors and debug the new 500 kHz system to replace the original 13.5 MHz ISO frequency stations that required coax cables and connectors. So, overall the project spanned 6..9 months start to SP-200 production.I was fortunate to work with Metcal and to get some stations and tips! My favorite solder station since then...Bon journéeJon

author: ruairi
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2022, 04:38:07 am
content: Jonpaul,I had to sign in after a long absence to say how much I love the SP200. My pair were purchased used and I have not used anything better! Thank you for such an elegant piece of engineering.I may love Paris even more than Metcal but that is a story for another day. We live in L.A. now (Je suis Irlandais) and what were once annual trips are memories but we plan to move to France once our kids are raised. In the meantime I support the vignerons of Bourgogne, Beaojolais and Rhone with my efforts :-)Cheers,Ruairi

author: jonpaul
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 26, 2022, 10:50:06 am
content: Bonjour cher Ruaria, many thanks for the kind wordsThe Metcal Smartheat Curie point solder technique was invented and patented at Raychem in 1989.The first design was the 13.5 MHz ISO frequency RF with coax.My rôle as a power electronics consultant was the first 500 kHz induction solder statio, using a soft switching resonate converter and DIN connection with ordinary silicone cable rather than coax.The constant current 500 kHz driving the tip achieved a specified 20 second warm up time.After a year of work and révision, it went to production. Little did I suspect that the SP-200 stations would become a classic and be produced by 100s of thousands.I was lucky to work with Metcal and was given a few production stations, tips, stands.My 1990s Metcals are still working perfectly, even the tips are original.....Very happy that you appreciate my work.AmicalementJon

author: Reckless
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2022, 08:57:23 pm
content: SOLD