250W controller for the big JBC C470 soldering tools

[baltersice]

I always wanted a JBC soldering station but could never justify spending that kind of money. Now I have got one of their most powerful irons and have only spent 130 bucks and a few old parts.



It was a bit more difficult than the thermistor-based Weller irons for example - but totally doable
Needs an instrumentation amplifier for the thermocouple voltage and a heating-pause to get an undisturbed measurement.

[ZeTeX]

Great video! funny as hell, subscribed after first 10 seconds.
I wonder,
what if you used weller expensive iron? like the Weller WX1011? are they same topology for controlling the temperature or are they easier for DIY?
if most of the expensive high power irons are controlling the temperature at about the same way, You could create kinda universal soldering station, could you?

[bktemp]

I haven't watched the full video, but on the schematic it looks like you are putting +24V or even a negative voltage when using AC directly into the input of an opampe without any protection when the heater is switched on.

[digsys]

Awesome work mate. I'd be quite interested in your progress on this, as we have several of those irons :-) and they are quite expensive, as you say.
I'll even whip up a "proper" PCB layout for it :-) Can't subscribe without an account?

[KD0CAC John]

There we go again , more goodies for the tool box , smaller than my Weller 450 gun

[baltersice]

AC directly into the input of an opampe without any protection when the heater is switched on.

Yes, indeed, I was concerned with that too!
The op-amps aren't directly connected to power ground (blue) though.
And at least in the 24VDC approach I haven't seen anything above .5V.
In final designs it might be a good idea to put 2 reversed (low leakage) diodes between the op-amp inputs and ground to clamp higher voltages that are not coming from the TC.

You could create kinda universal soldering station, could you?

Yes, sparkybgs UniSolder would be just that. But those silver Weller "pencils" aren't supported yet I think. At least not without modifications.

[giovannirat]

Any news on the progress of this project ?