hakko fx888 - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: blackjames
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:44:58 am
content: dave said in the soldering tutorial that you can buy a hakko fx888 for about 80 aussie dollars. where do you suggest i buy mine? thanks for all help.oh, i live in australia if that helps.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:55:56 am
content: No, that's US dollar. I always talk in term of US dollars on the show unless otherwise noted.Cheapest in Oz seems to be here:http://www.oritech.com.au/productDetail.aspx?productID=27313Dave.

author: blackjames
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 10:59:36 am
content: thanks dave. i can buy it from sparkfun electronics for 99 US dollars plus shipping, but it comes with a us plug. what do you think.

author: HackedFridgeMagnet
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 11:42:59 am
content: Check you can get a 220 volt version or you might have to get two and run them in series.

author: metalphreak
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 01:43:34 pm
content: Sparkfun sells the USA 110v version. There doesn't seem to be any genuine 220/240V models around for less than $150 or so.

author: kaptain_zero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 05:22:34 pm
content: I recently resolved my issues with great deals on 230v based equipment by getting a 500w stepup/stepdown transformer from this place:http://www.voltageconverters.comand it has proved to be an inexpensive way of using 220v devices on 110v.I see that Australia has a similar site, though prices are not as attractive:http://voltageconverter.com.auI ordered a 5 outlet universal power bar from DX which I am waiting for which will allow any type of plug to be inserted and each outlet is switched. I'll be mounting it on wall at the back of my soon to be built test bench and can then power one or more devices without ever having to modify them to run on 110V. As the outlets are distinctly different from our local outlets, and with the use of some yellow/black hash tape around the outlets plus a clear warning sign with 220V on it, I don't think I'll make the mistake of plugging in a 110V device into that particular power bar.....Just another option to keep in mind.RegardsChristian

author: Bored@Work
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 11:23:59 pm
content: Quote from: kaptain_zero on June 09, 2012, 05:22:34 pmBe careful with these. Many do not correctly, as innot at all, connect the protective earth of some plugs. Typically this affects plugs like CEE 7/4, CEE 7/5, CEE 7/7. Then they do not provide the necessary recess to safely plug in others types of plugs. And they typically have problems with the various pin diameters or thickness of pins. Giving bad connections to those plugs with small pin diameters or less thick pins.That, and of course the typical safety issues with mains equipment from China. Too thin wires, not enough clearance distance, inadequate mechanical construction and switches.Your insurance company and your local fire marshal might want to have a word with you, too.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 09, 2012, 11:56:03 pm
content: Do you have 50 Hz or 60 Hz mains frequency in Australia?Where I am it is 50 Hz and after I read another thread in this forum, I decided not to buy the FX-888.Running a 60 Hz gear on a 50 Hz mains would cause heating problems in the transformer right?

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 10, 2012, 12:00:18 am
content: Quote from: Rick on June 09, 2012, 11:56:03 pmUsually not, it's not that critical.Dave.

author: EEVblog
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: June 10, 2012, 12:02:40 am
content: Quote from: blackjames on June 09, 2012, 10:59:36 amForget it, it won't work, these are fixed 110V units.They claim genuine one here:http://www.dealextreme.com/p/hanko-fx-888-70w-soldering-station-ac-220v-126505But warning, see the other thread on this, I think they are actually fake.Dave.

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2012, 12:21:30 am
content: Quote from: EEVblog on June 10, 2012, 12:00:18 amThanks and I would like to add that I shall use a 220V/110V transformer because the local voltage is 220V.

author: kaptain_zero
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 10, 2012, 01:34:22 am
content: Quote from: Bored@Work on June 09, 2012, 11:23:59 pmThanks for the heads up, I'll be sure to check it out before committing to use. The main reason for using the universal type sockets was to make it obvious that it's not a normal 110V socket, and also to accept some of the *different* plugs that might come on the kind of gear I might pick up. Still, there's no point in "lighting up my life" just to save a few dollars.ChristianEdit: Just got that DX power bar today and all the plugs I use do ground through the bar so all is well. In hindsight, it might have been better to order one of the surge protected power bars from the same company that supplied the step up transformer, as it might well be a better quality unit.

author: ByteMe
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2013, 11:25:47 pm
content: I did find a couple of FX 888 on alibaba for a reasonable price, but I have no experience whatsoever with that site. Is it known for fakes or things like that? Are there any specific certificates that alibaba gives to trustworthy vendors? And most of all: did someone buy the fx 888 over there and got the real deal?

author: Rick
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2013, 12:07:34 am
content: Quote from: ByteMe on January 09, 2013, 11:25:47 pmI don't know about alibaba but the ones on the aliexpress may be fake.At least the FX-951's are for most of them fake.A reliable Chinese seller told me Hakko has a factory in China and the real ones are as expensive as in USA.If an FX-951 is sold for about $100 it is a fake. You can tell it from the iron stand. It looks different, although it apparently does the job but at this price you can buy a genuine Chinese brand. I did not check for the FX-888 though.Try that seller on aliexpress, she ships slowly but tells the truth about her products:http://www.aliexpress.com/store/feedback-score/209846.htmlYou can ask her to ship by Hong Kong Post. It is apparently better. DHL global mail is very slow, it looks to me DHL GM is shipping by sea...

author: mariush
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2013, 04:12:33 am
content: There is an eBay seller in US that seems to be somewhat official distributor or something like that.He sells the 110v version for about $81 :http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hakko-FX888-23BY-FX888-Soldering-Station-Replace-model-936-12-/380433497967?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58939a7f6fSure, for Europe the shipping gets as high as 70$ or so, but it's STILL cheaper than buying it from Europe.And a 230v to 110v converter is $20-30 on Amazon UK.- Don't buy crap from Dealextreme, there's a lot of unsafe, cheap, low quality stuff there. It's not worth the risk.

author: Nermash
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 10, 2013, 08:05:03 am
content: I bought the DX version, and yes it is fake, altough a very good one, but still not real Hakko.Safest way is to assume that all 230V versions from China are fakes, unless proven othervise. Easiest method is to compare pictures of the pcb to the real thing, IIRC fake ones have two white (cheap) connectors on the top of the pcb. Check the DX thread, someone posted pictures of the fake pcb.If I were buying now, I would get the USA version.