IR hand soldering iron - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 08:35:40 am
content: Well I saw this on youtube. The idea is you use a car electronic lighter for soldering.Other then the macguyver aspect, does anyone see uses for this? Compared to hot air or just a soldering iron, it seems pointless... but I am always open to a new tool.It does make me think about things like IR cure adhesives, but even for esoteric tasks.. it still seems hot air makes more sense.If you were to make a careful cutout of aluminum foil, I guess it could target specific parts better? But that is getting specific enough that you need the IR rework table.Does anyone see a use for a hand held one?I wonder if there are hot melt glue sticks that absorb that kind of IR better then other stuff, so you can do precise glue work using a infared heating tool with preforms or something.https://www.medicaldevice-network.com/projects/irphotonics/

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 09:54:46 am
content: What car do you have to buy to get a cigarette lighter? Seems like an expensive way to solve a non-problem.EDIT: My Ford did not come with a cigarette lighter nor did the dealer offer one. However, I did find a link:https://motorandwheels.com/new-cars-have-cigarette-lighters-ashtrays/Quote

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 10:18:25 am
content: I have done the same thing with a 12V H4 Halogen headlight bulb. Using the dipped beam filament, the internal shield acts as a reflector, beaming all of the light and IR through the side of the lamp. Removing the mounting flange turns it into a wand shape. You need decent sunglasses but it works effectively for applying stronger localised heating than hot air can provide.I think there's a Youtube video somewhere of someone doing the same thing in a fixture, mounted below the moveable board surface. That cigarette lighter element will certainly be more effective at producing more IR, without the visible light nuisance.EDIT: Found it...

author: RoGeorge
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 10:43:41 am
content: He, he, heat is heat. I like the look of that!Also seen once a dude using halogen spots as an IR reflow station for BGA (the 12V light bulbs with an included reflector, usually for embedding in ceilings and gypsum walls).Everything packing a few tens of W in a small volume should work.A good source for such compact heaters could be, for example, the incandescent light bulbs for cars. Some models of H7 headlights bulbs have a diameter of about 1cm and 2cm long, with 55W/12V.A lot of power for such a small volume. The 24V ones can have 70-100W, can make a beefy soldering iron with such a lightbulb as a heating element.Fit one of them inside each end of a copper pipe and you got yourself a 100W handheld heater for whatever needs. For example such a heated pipe would be good to bend plastic sheets to make enclosures for circuits, or for heavy soldering, as a solder-pool heater, etc. Or coil the copper pipe under an aluminum plate to get a heated bed for a 3D printer, IDK, things like that.

author: DC1MC
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 10:55:40 am
content: The most humble hot-air station of suitable power and airflow will run circles around this thing.Cheers,DC1MC

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 04:49:37 pm
content: That is interesting because gyro said that it can provide stronger spot heating. Not as nice as a laser but do you mind giving an example?

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 29, 2023, 11:52:40 pm
content: Quote from: DC1MC on March 29, 2023, 10:55:40 amIts not that it will run circles around it, performance wise it may or may not. Its that hot air will easily give you a reasonably regulated temperature. So you don't burn the shit out of your IC if you leave the handpiece in one spot for a few seconds more than necessary.This is why you'll see even the cheap IR stations come with a thermocouple, so you can monitor the soldering temperature.https://www.aliexpress.us/item/2255801084475440.htmlhttps://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803225371262.html

author: coppercone2
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2023, 08:35:47 am
content: I wonder if it would work better on say ceramic packages rather then black plastic.

author: Gyro
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: March 30, 2023, 10:08:41 am
content: I would say anything matt black (including connector housings!).BTW: A bit off topic but I've been facinated by this really cute little IR reflow made out of an old Halogen floodlight..