TS100 burning itself up at 450C? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: mosafet
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 01, 2019, 01:33:49 pm
content: I just got a TS100. I used it a little then upgraded to the Ralim firmware to get 450C ability. I've tried at both 20V and 24V and when running the iron at 450C I can hear snapping/popping/crackling inside the handle (ie. sounds like something is burning up). If I go down to 400C it stops.With the handle open it sound maybe like the sound/smell is under the daughterboard (MCU?) near the power input. Maybe...Anyone else experience this? I can't figure out WHY it would be doing this because the current draw once heated and under no load is no different at 400C or 450C.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2019, 06:40:07 am
content: That sounds like the plastic is vapourising. It was clearly not designed for 450C...

author: mosafet
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2019, 12:08:46 pm
content: Interesting because the sound is not near the tip but maybe it's reflecting or something...I guess I should try one of those long Hakko tips since they're designed for 450C.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2019, 07:39:14 pm
content: Of course the sound isn't going to be from the tip --- I'm saying the plastic in the handle end is getting overheated.

author: mosafet
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2019, 09:03:04 pm
content: Definitely not the plastic in the handle. I can touch the back metal part of the tip with my hand. It's warm but not hot.Sounds and smells like the mosfet or something related to it is burning. This makes no sense though because what does the tip temp have to do with that. I could see if it was pulling a lot more current or something but it's not.

author: Nusa
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2019, 10:44:04 pm
content: I suspect you've discovered that the original firmware had that limit for a reason.You may have pinned down the exact reason yet, but clearly it's a real limit of some sort.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 05, 2019, 03:27:58 pm
content: Honest question: this is an electronics iron. What would you ever need 450°C for? I’ve never used more than 360°C when soldering, and usually less.

author: mosafet
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 02:17:13 am
content: Quote from: tooki on February 05, 2019, 03:27:58 pmThe most difficult pad I have ever faced is the PMIC ground on a Raspberry Pi 3 B+. I consider this iron pretty powerful but even at 24V and 450C it can barely melt that pad (preheating with air helps). My old-school 50W Weller can't touch that pad at all even at 450C. It's tough. I'm using a BC2 tip and I think something a little larger like the C4 might work better but I don't have one.Other than that, I find 450C is useful when desoldering items like posts on heatsinks and such getting them hot enough to use a manual solder sucker.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 02:33:06 pm
content: you dont need higher temperatures, you need more power - or a tip with a bigger mass.lead-free solder needs 330-350 and that's all you ever need.if you go higher you will de-laminate boards.

author: tsman
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 02:43:37 pm
content: I've tried it on both of my TS100s and they don't make any noises if I use the boost feature to push it to 450C. Theticket for adding the 450C boostalso mentions it works for other people.

author: tooki
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 04:00:40 pm
content: Quote from: mosafet on February 06, 2019, 02:17:13 amI agree with stj, what you need is a tool better suited to the job. The TS100, sadly, has no large chisel tips available. (The CS4 they sometimes call a chisel, but it's not, it's a bevel tip. And it's still not that big.)And of course, just in case you're not already doing this, make sure you're using a bit of fresh solder as a thermal bridge to the joint, so that the heat can actually transfer efficiently.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 04:48:25 pm
content: Quote from: mosafet on February 06, 2019, 02:17:13 amYou are using a portable, low power electronics iron for doing a job where one of those big "fire sticks" would be much more appropriate. Stop destroying your iron and get a proper tool for the job.

author: stj
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 06, 2019, 07:09:50 pm
content: you could use a T12 tip, but it will stick out a long way!!