Metcal MX-H1-AV handle getting hot...well let say warm - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / repair

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 04:26:56 am
content: i received a used but nice looking MX-H1-AV(the metal body one) handle as a gift, it works well the problem is the handle, it start to getting warm not enough to burn but warm. i changed several good working tips and no difference in behavior, I know are good because have another good working handpiece of the same model and no warm problem with this one. any ideas or opinions?ps.both handpieces with same psu.best regards.Pio

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 06:13:23 am
content: So are you saying both handpieces get overly warm, or just one? Or you think it's the station? I thought Metcal tips are not meant to go higher than their curie point. What tip series and tips are you using and have you measured the tip and handle temps? That might be a good place to start for comparisons.I think it's normal to expect them to get somewhat warm, most handpieces do. They feel warmer than our body temp so after time that can feel uncomfortable and if you have a low grip it may be even more noticeable. Take a look at other handpieces, many put a thick grip the tip end of the handle.Last year Pace released their ADS200 station with the new aluminum TD200 handpiece (after that they rolled out an aluminum TD100A for older stations as well). It has a short working distance and you can get right down on the handle and it's not uncomfortable at all. I don't solder at max temp but apparently it only ever goes a couple of degrees past body temp 100F/37C when tip temp is 850F/454C.But anyway take some measurements perhaps someone can do a comparison.

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 01:35:27 pm
content: Thank you, just one handpiece gets warm, the tips are 700 series.Best regards.Pio

author: capt bullshot
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 01:53:10 pm
content: That might be due to a worn out or broken cable:https://www.pa4tim.nl/?p=6082

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 02:05:42 pm
content: Quote from: capt bullshot on November 21, 2019, 01:53:10 pmThank you, I already checked all the cable length and f-connector and they aren't hot/warm.I am starting to think is a problem with the filter used inside the handle....How to disassembly???Pio

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 02:21:29 pm
content: Check that somehow you didn't get a fake handpiece. Are the grips the same? What happens if you swap the grips over? Make sure you keep track of which part is which. I'm not sure how far you can disassemble the iron but see if you can take resistance measurements of the cable and interconnection. Check for corrosion as well.At some point you have to measure the temperature differences as accurately as you can on both the handpiece and the tip. It tells you if it's heat going through the handle or the tip temp is running hotter.The 700 series tips also run at 775F/412C but this temp might vary a little depending on manufacturing tolerances (of the tips). This is getting up there in heat, are you sure you are used to these 700 series tips?Perhaps this is why the sold the handpiece in the first place.

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 02:41:46 pm
content: Fake Mercal handpiece? Didn't know that exists, it's identical to the other. I already swap the top portion of the handpiece no difference at all. Maybe the inductor and/or capacitor are getting hot inside the handle.Pio

author: Shock
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 03:16:40 pm
content: I'm not sure what is in the handle but the tips look self contained. Checking if it was a fake was just to cover all bases, you should be able to tell if you have a really good look between your two handpieces. I assume they appear identical in every way?

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 03:34:59 pm
content: The only difference is the offending one has thicker cable but everything else is identical, body, connector, materials, length, etc.

author: fmkit
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 04:15:35 pm
content: few months ag my handle became too hot so I made simple bit-holder to rule out all my bits or just handle .. still using this ugly handle made of long USB cable that came w/new PickIT programmer. Can easily swap bits and enjoy almst 2m cable.

author: JFJ
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2019, 10:15:43 pm
content: Quote from: yo0 on November 21, 2019, 02:05:42 pmThere are pictures of a disassembled Metcal MX-RM3E in this post:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/diy-metcal-13-56-mhz-rf-supply/msg438921/#msg438921The construction of the MX-H1-AV might be similar.

author: yo0
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2023, 08:48:49 pm
content: After comparing several handpieces, I discovered the getting hot one needs a lot less force to insert and extract tips, so I think is a bad contact problem between tip and handpiece internal socket.Best regardsPio

author: fkfaraz
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 11, 2023, 09:43:10 pm
content: hi. were u able to solve it?what step have u taken?

author: nigeb123
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: March 16, 2023, 11:52:18 am
content: Which base station are you using? The older ones like the MX500 have a grub screw on the side to enable/disable auto-standby after a period of time. In a factory environment with that feature disabled I saw some plastic handsets that had melted a little. As far as I know the newer MX5000 doesn't have a grub screw but relies on you using the official stand for the handpiece - it goes to standby when in the stand.