Thanks
I took apart & removed board to check for obvious issues , nothing found .
Cleaned the points on the relay - I use dollar bills to rub on points .
I forgot to mention that I was using one of the reducers , I have 4 sizes and was using the 2nd from the smallest on some SMD parts .
It may have been working correctly , but too much heat & not enough air ?
When I opened & inspected I operated with the reducer off , noticed that the heating element pulsed with the same frequency as the light next to the heater control , then as I adjusted from lowest to highest the frequency varied .
I do not think there is a feedback to limit too much heat , only 3 wires one to case for ground , not enough for sensor / feedback .
I have a copy of the Hakko , a Yoyue 850 that one of these days I should post some pictures to show where the copy cheaped out .