Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

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asg32000
 
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Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by asg32000 »

Hello, Adafruit!

I recently purchased this product:
Adjustable 30W 110V soldering iron - XY-258 110V [product ID 180]
https://www.adafruit.com/product/180

I know that it has an adjustable knob... but what does it do? I had assumed it adjusts the temperature, but if it does, does anyone have a rough translation of knob position to temperature? If it is fixed temperature and that just changes power, does anyone have a mapping of knob position to power?

Thanks!

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adafruit_support_bill
 
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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

It is not temperature controlled - just adjustable power. The range of adjustment is about 16 to 30 Watts.

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asg32000
 
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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by asg32000 »

One would think that more power = more temperature. If the temperature indeed does not vary, then what is the supposed temperature of this iron?

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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

Of course the temperature will vary with the power. When I say it is not temperature controlled, I mean there is no feedback control circuit like you would find on a more expensive soldering station.

Temperature will also vary with use. As with any iron, making solder joints will draw heat from the tip. A higher setting will give you a higher initial temperature and a faster recovery time.

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asg32000
 
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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by asg32000 »

Thanks for your continued help.

Since it is adjustable power (with no control feedback) do you have any tips for how I should set the power? Are there guidelines on what I should start at and and when I should change it? Are there any known "steady-state" temperatures for different power settings?

I am very new to soldering, so I appreciate the tips and advice—especially for this specific iron.

Thanks again.

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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

From my experience with that iron, using standard lead/tin solder, about 2/3 to 3/4 of max power worked well for typical through-hole soldering. Subjectively, it felt similar to my Weller WSD11 set to 700F - with a somewhat slower recovery time.

Some situations may require increasing the power:
  • * Lead-free solder
    * Massive joints like connector lugs
    * Making many joints in rapid succession (e.g. soldering a long row of header pins)
I generally prefer to run my irons a little on the hot side. This is actually better when working with heat-sensitive parts. The basic idea is to get the solder joint up to temperature and complete the joint as fast as possible - before the heat has a chance to start traveling up the component leads to the heat-sensitive areas.

For more tips on soldering, be sure to check out this guide: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-gui ... ring/tools

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asg32000
 
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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by asg32000 »

Thanks for your help! That's exactly what I wanted to know.

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Aridzonan_13
 
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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by Aridzonan_13 »

Thanks for the info. I have an adjustable soldering / de-soldering station and was looking for an proper ~temp range for soldering header pins on the Motor Shield board.

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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by adafruit_support_bill »

For 60/40 lead/tin solder, I generally run at 700F. For lead-free, I set it to 750F.

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Re: Adjustable Soldering Iron Temperature? [PID 180]

Post by Aridzonan_13 »

Thanks Mucho! And have a Happy New Year..

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