HAKKO FX-888 teardown + review

[nanofrog]

why is it located there and not on the PCB like the FX-888D?

Metal base acts as a heat sink with no increase in parts cost.

[timofonic]

I don't understand why being an old thread is a cause to not post. I just wanted to look a teardown of FX-888D and was amazed why they don't use a toroidal transformer. It seems toroidal transformers are more efficient and can make the unit even smaller or allow more size for other stuff, like sparkybg said about his UniSolder controller.

[lpc32]

Metal base acts as a heat sink with no increase in parts cost.

The 888D makes do without. Is it just a standoff for the transformer on the 888-non-D?

I don't understand why being an old thread is a cause to not post.

Yeah. I never understand posts that start with an apology for continuing an old thread, or complaints on doing so. Relevant information doesn't have an expiry date, and it's better than starting multiple threads on the same topic.

[nanofrog]

Metal base acts as a heat sink with no increase in parts cost.

The 888D makes do without. Is it just a standoff for the transformer on the 888-non-D?

It's relatively common practice to use the metal base as a heat sink across multiple manufacturers. Regardless if they use a separate device or the enclosure's base plate however, the triac/s require heat sinks.

[lpc32]

That's all the BTA06 gets on the 888D:

[nanofrog]

That's all the BTA06 gets on the 888D:

You do realize that the BRC5KM you asked about a few posts up as also a triac, right?

[lpc32]

Yes.

[ssrobzoom]

Does anyone have the original Hakko FX888 110volt transformer they want to part with?

[lpc32]

I'd be happy to part with it. In exchange for a 230V one.