50Hz an issue with 110V AC Hakko 888 soldering station? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2011, 05:55:02 am
content: I'm about to splash out on a new soldering station and figured I'd go for the new Hakko 888 which looks pretty damned nice.However, if I buy the 230V unit, it'll cost me over $200 and if I buy the 110V one it'll only cost me half that.Now I know that running a 60Hz transformer (like the one in the 888) at 50Hz there's always a small risk that it'll drive it into saturation -- does anyone think this will be an issue if I run the 110V version of this soldering station through a 230-110V stepdown transformer?If anyone's already using a 110V 888 on 50Hz I'd like to know how you're getting on.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2011, 06:10:00 am
content: what power is the soldering iron ? you could maybe make a converter for it

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2011, 04:16:03 pm
content: If you're really worried you could reduce the supply voltage to 100V but I doubt it'll be a problem. The transformer should be designed to run off up to 130V anyway and the element won't be powered continuously.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2011, 07:23:09 pm
content: I bit the bullet and ordered the 110VAC/60Hz soldering station. If anyone's interested, I'll report any problems once it gets here and I start using it with a 230->110V transformer at 50Hz.So long as it works, I still come out about $100 ahead of buying the $230V version of the 888.

author: Lightages
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 22, 2011, 09:06:53 pm
content: There will be no real problems running it on 50Hz. Transformers are sized and rated according to the input frequency but I would bet that there is enough "headroom" in the transformer design that the lower saturation threshold for the transformer won't come into play unless you are trying to heat 1Kg of solder all at once. For the duty cycle you are likely to use it for, the transformer should not overheat.

author: FairDinkum
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 02:28:52 am
content: So the consensus is that 50hz is not an issue for normal soldering work? Anyone actually had a problem in this regard?

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 01, 2014, 04:26:39 pm
content: You never know. Remember Fukishima? I worked at an identical plant just south of it. It had an alarm system that was half jumpered out. Transformers were running so hot they were causing IC's to fail and that instrument was supposed to work ok at 50hz. I ended up using a buck transformer to drop the voltage to 100V. It should work fine at that reduced voltage.

author: sfiber
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 10:37:53 pm
content: why dont you think to change transformer at the input.And I dont really recommend to use 888 because of its analog structure.Digital is always good.You should go with 951

author: Strada916
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 02, 2014, 10:41:56 pm
content: replace the transformer, it will be easier.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 06:34:11 am
content: Quote from: sfiber on August 02, 2014, 10:37:53 pmHow long have you been around ? most people hate the digital version and i spoke to a reseller that pleaded with hakko to keep the analogue one in but hakko do it all their own way and don't seem to think that people who stop liking their products will just go elsewhere. I don't see the craze over hakko. I got a tenma soldering iron that granted was not great out of the box but all working dandy now.So tell us, what is the matter with analogue ?

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2014, 08:05:48 am
content: Quote from: sfiber on August 02, 2014, 10:37:53 pmThey're expensive.Quote*snort*

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 09:36:52 am
content: Sod hakko, they think too much of themselves to be a decent manufacturer anymore. They are so far up their own asses that I can't be asked with them. They are fast loosing their edge and too stupid to see it despite their distributors and customers trying to warn them. You know why you can't buy hakko's for the UK on ebay ? because hakko won't let resellers use ebay. I really don't get how they are even in business anymore but for riding on a reputation they are fast loosing!

author: eneuro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 04, 2014, 02:30:10 pm
content: Quote from: Strada916 on August 02, 2014, 10:41:56 pmMake your DIY soldering station... it is easy tooAll you need is a potentiometer, 2 diodes and simple DIP8 MCU with a few lines of code or analog comparators to read set temperature and adjust to measured then fire triac using MOC3041.This is one of the basic DIY projects which each of electronics guys does when starting his hobby, I guess.Teardown of cheap solderstation and changing its electronics to own DIY is another option

author: Seekonk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 07, 2014, 06:38:51 pm
content: Considering that was back in 1978 and I worked in Tokai (like anyone has heard of that place), not Fukushima I got pretty close. As to not believing my story all I can say is shagata ga neigh. Given the hello kitty, you might understand. Again, more bad spelling.