Hakko FX-888 for worldwide voltage  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: bazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:01:55 am
content: Hi GuysIs anyone running the 110V Hakko FX-888 with a step-up transformer for use in 220V - 240V countries?Are there any issues with this approach?If there are no issues, does anyone have any recommended a particular brand or spec of step-up transformer?I only have a tiny 80W step-up that probably won't work for it.This model seems terribly expensive in Australia and it's hard to find a retailer that exports the 220V model for a reasonable price (though I'm still looking)!Thanks for any help!

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:12:26 am
content: There are several companies in Australia that sell the Step-down transformer you need.http://www.tortech.com.au/is one i found.Regards

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:12:36 am
content: Just replace the 110 V transformer for a 220 V one like i didhttp://www.hacklordsniper.com/Arhiva_projekata/Projekt_(9).html

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:17:06 am
content: Jaycar sell a 500W Stepdown from 240v to 115v.http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=MF1084&CATID=&keywords=transformer&SPECIAL=&form=KEYWORD&ProdCodeOnly=&Keyword1=&Keyword2=&pageNumber=&priceMin=&priceMax=&SUBCATID=ORDo as hacklordsniper says and replace the power transformer in the unit itself.Regards

author: Balaur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 11:25:23 am
content: Quote from: hacklordsniper on October 07, 2011, 11:12:36 amZdravo,Renew your domain registration!Dobar dan

author: bazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:00:09 pm
content: Fast responses!Thanks guys.I'm pretty new to this so replacing the guts of the Hakko isn't something I'm keen on, but thanks for the suggestions!So a 500W step-down would be suitable? (sorry, I called it a step-up).

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:10:55 pm
content: 500w should be more than enough for the job.Regards

author: bazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:14:13 pm
content: Quote from: PeterG on October 07, 2011, 12:10:55 pmThanks PeterG,Great. I can finally order the USA 110V Hakko FX-888 after many days of searching

author: PeterG
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:17:35 pm
content: Bazza, it is available in Aus from here=http://http://au.element14.com/hakko/fx-888/soldering-station-fx-888/dp/1719021for $189.52. Cheaper than using a Step-down transformer.Regards

author: hacklordsniper
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:43:21 pm
content: Quote from: Balaur on October 07, 2011, 11:25:23 amThey shut it down because it expired today and there was wrong e-mail in the contact area. I solved it allready.Hvala

author: bazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 12:48:31 pm
content: Hi PeterG,You make a decent point regarding costs, but it's still cheaper to buy both the transformer and soldering iron overseas.There are a couple of Oz retailers that sell the Hakko under $200 but in my opinion that is still far more than the 80-ish dollars it sells for in the USA.There is also another option I'm consideringFor the price (under $200) that the Hakko goes for here I can also get a native 220VGoot RX-711AS(Japanese brandhttp://www.goot.co.jp/e/item.html?c=59) imported. It has a digital readout, which I would rather use than pay around $200ish for the lower-end Hakko. I'm still debating which to buy.If I buy the transformer along with the Hakko, I guess I can use it for other 110V items I may buy too. Maybe it was time I bought one anyway.I'm still not decided which way I'll go.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 07, 2011, 08:00:43 pm
content: Quote from: bazza on October 07, 2011, 12:00:09 pmThe FX-888 is 80 W peak load, probably more like 30 W average, so a 100 W step down transformer should be plenty big enough.

author: RCMR
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2011, 08:02:29 am
content: I just bought my self a 110V Hakko 888 from the USA and then picked up a 300W 230V->110V transformer locally.Ended up saving myself over $100 and I also have enough 110V capacity to run a couple of other items that I've picked up over the years.Makes good sense -- I don't know how the hell they can justify the massive price difference between the 110V and 230V versions of that iron except to attribute it to price gouging in some markets where the distributors have "exclusive" rights to sell.

author: bazza
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2011, 09:28:34 am
content: IanBandRCMR, thanks for letting me know it can run on a lesser transformer.Well that pretty much seals the deal for me.RCMR, you said it about the price-gouging! You know it's far from reasonable when people like us are encouraged to buy from overseas than buy from the local distributor.You guys have been great!!