Want to buy branded soldering station, not a clone - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: abhayb_e
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 30, 2014, 05:28:36 pm
content: Hi,I am looking to buy a Weller soldering station. I am first time user so I found a lot advertised model WESD51, which i think i should buy.I tried for Hakko FX888D also but distributor in indiawww.sumitron.comasked me for company name to prepare the quotation, i replied i am using as a hobbyist & using it for non-commercial use, since then there is no response. Amazon & Ebay i cannot trust if i get original or cloned. So now i am fixed on Weller brand.Weller soldering stations i found on few distributors, out of which WESD51 is available onhttp://www.mouser.inat the linkhttp://www.mouser.in/ProductDetail/Weller/WESD51D/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMtZbG%2fSKwfOjIFVpJoOmKJGTvNVQE%252biX4A%3dI have few doubts1. Can i trust mouser that it will give me original Weller & not a cloned one ?2. I am not purchasing directly from company(which owns the Weller brand) but through a distributor(which i don't know is associated with company or not), so will i get the warranty which company gives for this product ?3. I am living in India, so mains supply according to urlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_electricity_by_countryis 230V 50Hz but this item is rated as 240V, so will it work with main supply in India?I am new to electronics & purchasing these electronic items, so some of my question might be silly. But since i do not want to loose money after purchasing so i want advice from experts.- Abhay

author: rdl
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 03:51:48 am
content: If you buy from Mouser, you can be sure you'll get the genuine item.You probably have to call Weller to see if their warranty is world-wide. If they don't have local service you may have to ship it at your cost if repair is needed.I don't think the electricity will be a problem, but I'm no expert. I would check with Weller to be sure. It may void whatever warranty you get.

author: poorchava
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 04:59:04 am
content: You could try TME.eu They do distribute Weller equipment and are based in Poland which may make everything less expensive.

author: abhayb_e
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 06:59:44 am
content: Thanks for reply.WES51/WESD51 meet my requirement & i can afford to buy also.I checked on tme.eu but WES51/WESD51 models are not available. Other higher models available on tme.eu that meet my requirement but are too costly to buy for me.i am worried about main power supply & warranty in India.-regards

author: Timmay
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 01, 2014, 07:20:41 am
content: 1. Yes, Mouser is a legit and large company that does legit business. They don't mess around with junk.2. If you mean you are buying from Mouser than yes since the product is legit it will be warranty approved. Keeping in mind that some manufactures don't care who sold it to you, they require you to go through them (Weller). Some products are warranted through the purchasing company. (example: I buy a tool from Lowes and it breaks, they replace it. I buy an air compressor through Lowes, they require you to go through the company for warranty repair as I was giving a big piece of orange paper that said "Warning: Do not return to place of purchase, call this number for warranty inquires: blah, blah, blah so it depends". As for Weller it seems their webpage has this bit:http://www.apexhandtools.com/weller/PDFs/WELLER%20REPAIR_PRICING_POLICY_SOLDERING_DESOLDERING_REWORK%20PRODUCTS.pdf. So with that said you may go through them but since you bought it from a dealer, you are good to go.3. Yes, there is a percentage of variance between voltage numbers. That number varies depending on time of day, loads and country. 230V -10% +6% (i.e. 207.0 V-243.8 V) so you will be fine with that soldering station.All this from a Yank. Keep in mind I am only a Junior in college pursuing a degree in Computer Engineering and a Masters in EE. I have dealt with variance in voltage because I have family in Spain (fried a Sega Genesis when I was a kid in Spain, worse day of my life). So I am not an expert like some here, and this is my first post. Maybe for complete reassurance email Weller. Also keep in mind that I have read that some have used bench power and other trickery to get 110V systems working overseas due to cost. I even read a post where the potential of swapping PSU within the iron was cost more cost effective than buying the 220-240V version or whatever they list it at. So maybe a little research on your part will yield some cost saving, beneficial results.GL,Timmay

author: abhayb_e
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 02, 2014, 10:38:37 am
content: Thanks Timmay for detailed information & thanks to rdl also.I think i will first try from local authorized dealer of Weller because in case repair is required i will have to spend too much on shipping cost if i purchase from overseas(outside India). Usually in India authorized dealers don't respond to hobbyist, they only respond to company. If i don't get response for few days from dealer then i will purchase from mouser.

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 02, 2014, 10:53:35 am
content: If you are really worried about the voltage variation you can get devices that will cut out if the voltage is too low or too high. If you plan to do some more electronics one of these and an residual current detector (safety switch) on the input to your work area may be a good investment not only for your soldering iron but other mains powered equipment. I have a Weller I recall wd1 and wp80 iron (not at home now) and really like it, good gear. ?

author: abhayb_e
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 12:25:06 pm
content: Hi,Thanks VK5RC.I have purchased WESD51. Now i want to get "devices that will cut out if the voltage is too low or too high" as mention by you. I think MCB (Miniature Circuit Breaker-http://www.electrical4u.com/miniature-circuit-breaker-or-mcb/) is this kind of device. As i can notice at main entrance of my home there is a small( 1ft by 2ft) of space on the wall where i can see many MCBs & all the points in my home are getting the power through these MCBs. So i think all power points in my house are already protected by high voltage/current with the help of these MCBs. Or I should get a saperate device with MCB with rating suitable for my Weller soldering station. MCB will be a much cheaper option than stabilizer, since i have to do soldering some times only as a hobbyist.I think, MCB protects against over voltage or over current but does not break the circuit when under/low voltage or under/low current. So can under/low voltage or under/low current destroy my device, Weller soldering station ?

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 12:46:55 pm
content: Consumer law varies from country to country but here in the UK, if you have a problem with a product, you should always go to the place you purchased it from, irrespective of the warranty, as it's the retailer you have made the contract with, not the manufacturer.

author: abhayb_e
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 01:16:51 pm
content: Hi,Thanks Hero999 for more information on warranty. I did sanity testing of my WESD51 soldering station & it was working fine.My main concern is protection from mains power supply fluctuations. Over voltage can damage the device. Can low voltage also damage my device, particularly my Weller WESD51 soldering station ? As given in URLhttp://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/65824/can-electronics-be-damaged-by-undervolting-itin it can in some cases. But my concern is particularity for my Weller WESD51 soldering station.If answer is "low voltage cannot damage WESD51", then i can buy cheap MCB to protect my WESD51, since i need protection for over voltage only.- Abhay

author: denelec
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 09, 2014, 02:06:03 pm
content: According to this document:http://www.apexhandtools.com/onlinecatalog/Parts_Lists/WESD51_OI_PL.pdfThe input voltage is 230VAC ±10%, 50/60 Hz

author: VK5RC
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 10, 2014, 10:17:45 am
content: Hi abhayb_eMy house has something like this (see below) as well as residual current (earth leakage detection). Will look after all your electronic goodies TV etc.Enjoy the Weller, it has given me a lot of good service.A good soldering iron tip, "if it smells like chicken, you are holding it wrong" HiHi

author: magetoo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2014, 02:53:00 pm
content: Quote from: abhayb_e on November 09, 2014, 01:16:51 pmI'm not an authority in grid electricity, but I see no reasonable mechanism for a lower than expected voltage to damage a soldering station. More importantly, it would be absurd for Weller to design a soldering station that could not be used in 230V countries. (not only India, but all of the EU and many other places)I'll also add that I live in a nominally 230V country, and pretty much everything here is rated for 240V.