Hakko 936 60Hz version running at 50 Hz mains ?

[BravoV]

Just scored recently an used genuine Hakko 936 controller that is made for 60Hz mains, btw my mains AC is 220V at 50Hz, and also my current 936 is made for 50 Hz mains freq.

How much difference will it perform at 50Hz mains ? Or any other considerations ?

TIA

[james_s]

I would be concerned that the transformer may saturate unless you replace it with a 50Hz transformer. The difference is significant enough that many transformers and motors designed for 60Hz will buzz and overheat on 50Hz.

[BravoV]

I would be concerned that the transformer may saturate unless you replace it with a 50Hz transformer. The difference is significant enough that many transformers and motors designed for 60Hz will buzz and overheat on 50Hz.

Well, replacing the transformer it is not an option, as its quite cheap and I don't want to invest more in it.

How much significant will it overheat if its not fully loaded at the designed load level continuously ?

[Shock]

Checked the part numbers and any labeling on the transformers?
These are the only 220-240 transformers listed in the manual so it's possible they are identical or you may be able to deduce they are a substitute for each other by looking in both boxes.

B2014 Transformer 220~240-24V
B2088 Transformer 240-24V (Australia)

Weighing them, load testing and measuring the temp, scoping the current may reveal they are close as well. You could also use a power meter kill-a-watt type device to see if you get a similar performance under the same iron operational load.

A transformer not designed to accommodate 50Hz at the core is what 20% earlier saturation? You should be able to figure something out.

[BravoV]

Checked the part numbers and any labeling on the transformers?
These are the only 220-240 transformers listed in the manual so it's possible they are identical or you may be able to deduce they are a substitute for each other by looking in both boxes.

B2014 Transformer 220~240-24V
B2088 Transformer 240-24V (Australia)

Weighing them, load testing and measuring the temp, scoping the current may reveal they are close as well. You could also use a power meter kill-a-watt type device to see if you get a similar performance under the same iron operational load.

A transformer not designed to accommodate 50Hz at the core is what 20% earlier saturation? You should be able to figure something out.

You made me curious, just opened them up both, attached below the photos of the comparison of labels that are attached to both transformers.

How to decode that part number ?

Also 2nd photos, there are labels at the bottom of the case on fuse replacement note, the 50 Hz needs 0.8 Amp while 60 Hz is 0.63 Amp. 

I don't have weighing scale with me now, guess I have to use the same iron to test both controller using Kill-a-watt to compare the power.

[Shock]

This is a transformer labelled 936E (ROHS) from another genuine 936, looks a lot like a X009L066ICO part number.
Would not be surprised if you have exactly the same transformers there and the bottom number is the serial number.

[johansen]

Also 2nd photos, there are labels at the bottom of the case on fuse replacement note, the 50 Hz needs 0.8 Amp while 60 Hz is 0.63 Amp. 

I don't have weighing scale with me now, guess I have to use the same iron to test both controller using Kill-a-watt to compare the power.

i suspect they use the same transformer, they should consume the same amps with the exception being that the transformer for 60hz may be a 240:24vac transformer, the tx for 50hz may be 220:24vac.

[ruairi]

I used a U.S. purchased (60Hz) 936 for years in Ireland (50Hz) without issue via a mains step down transformer.  if it was sub optimal I never noticed.

 

[BravoV]

Small updates, here what I did :

- Single 907 iron used at both controllers to ensure identical thermal load.
- Both set at same temperature point.
- Checked tip's temperature with thermal probe at the tip point once the red led just turned off (means it reached temperature set point).
- Tested solder at few very similar spots at pcb, which have similar thermal mass.
- Watch at the kill-a-watt during tip re-heating up and soldering.

Conclusion, nothing significantly different either at tip temperature, power consumption, soldering tip heat recovery speed and also controller's transformer temperatures as I opened them up both when testing these.

Guess its nothing to worry about, thanks guys.