Need Help on selecting the right type of soldering station

[Mattheprofessional]

Hello guys,
I am a hobbyist who is woking at an Avionics electroninics firm. I was looking for a soldering station and i decided to go for the brand Solderon since that is the best one avalable in india (i know about the Hakko & Weller due to import issue and excess mone i have to pay for it , i am avoidin g those). Now i will tell about my issue; i am stuck with three types of soldering Station one is with  press button for controlling temp and digital temperature display , the second one with varible potentiometer  for controlling temp and digital temperature display and the third one with varible potentiometer and no temp display.

Which one i should buy, please suggest one and let me know the reason for it??

The one with push buttor for temp ctrl nd digital temp display:
http://www.soldron.com/products/sl960-soldering-station-with-temperature-lock-system-and-full-digitally-controlled-sl960

The one with Pot for controlling temp and digital display.
http://www.soldron.com/products/soldron-938-temperature-controlled-digital-soldering-station-938

The one with Pot for temp control and no display
http://www.soldron.com/products/soldron-936-temperature-controlled-analog-soldering-station


I verified the wuality of this brand and they have good quality of products so please help me to choose one from the above three.

Thanks in advance !!

[Mattheprofessional]

I am worried about the servicability of these 3 models.
Please give your suggestions.

[bd139]

The analogue one (936) is probably the most serviceable and reliable out of them. They are generic Hakko clones which vary in quality somewhat so don't expect anything wonderful. The parts are mostly interchangeable and they are common as dirt so you can should be able to get spares easily.

You will need something to calibrate the tip. A cheap DMM with a thermocouple will do the job (ANENG AN8002 for example).

[ciccio]

They are Hakko clones, similar to many  others.
I think you can find spares everywhere.
Best regards

[wraper]

Not that cheap for a Hakko knockoff, frankly.

[Shock]

Another expensive Chinese Hakko 936 clone. I'm not sure how good their digital controls are. An analog control with digital display is easy to set and see at a glance.

Assuming that these clones regulate the temp well, if you add some genuine Hakko T18 tips and look after them, you should have an ok station at the end of the day. Easy to repair as well as there are dozens of clones like these out there (half the price as well) and parts are fairly cheap.

I noticed it says the warranty is voided if you use other tips, good way to sell more of your own expensive tips.

[Mattheprofessional]

Thanks for Your reply,
So the control inside 936 will be diff (like the anlogue one wont be having a uC in it) right ??

[Mattheprofessional]

Thanks for your reply,

They are hakko clones but they have used good quality components inside (all models); none of them are like Yiahu or some cheap clones.

[Mattheprofessional]

Thanks for your reply,
This is the best option available for me in india, can you suggest a the best clone hakko avalable

[bd139]

Thanks for Your reply,
So the control inside 936 will be diff (like the anlogue one wont be having a uC in it) right ??

That’s correct.  It’s usually just a simple comparator with a bit of hysteresis.

[Mattheprofessional]

so its better to go for fully analog one (936) and a calibration equipment if i need one !!

One more doubt  ! In 936 the temp controller will be a normal POT or rotary encorder??

[bd139]

In the 936 it will be a pot.

[Mattheprofessional]

Oke thanks   

[Shock]

They are hakko clones but they have used good quality components inside (all models); none of them are like Yiahu or some cheap clones.

My money is on it being a rebadged Yihua or Atten.

[Mattheprofessional]

Ill open it once i get the Station

[Mattheprofessional]

As promised here are the images of solderon 936 soldering station...
"Oops i voild the manufacturer warranty by opening it"


Whay you think guys??

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[bd139]

That soldered earth looks a bit dodgy but otherwise reasonable looking 936 clone.

[Shock]

The soldered earth is a no. The PCB looks like it is mounted further back than a lot of clones, not sure if the POT or the capacitor was the reason for this but if you notice the iron socket it seems to be on legs instead of direct soldered.

The original Hakko 936 pcb is larger and from what I can remember it sits on plastic supports on the bottom half of the chassis. You also have a loose screw on the transformer (not sure if you undid that yourself).

Nothing too serious there though. One mistake on clones they make is they switch and fuse the blue/neutral wire. Another is the power cables polarity is mixed up and missing earth connection. So checking that safely (disconnected from the wall) is sometimes and eye opener.

Did the PCB have any markings that indicate origin?

[Mattheprofessional]

I paid almost 2580 Rupees (39.3$) for the Station. Yihua is available for 1600 Ruppes  (24.77$) in Ebay.in. The problem is, buying from ebay is a nightmare means  they have the worst service in india, Ebay "Gurantee Claim" is such a gimmick in india.

So only option i had is the one i brought, but i am not satisfied with the quality , its just like the Yihua

[Mattheprofessional]

The transformer inside the unit was bit heavy because of that ,the 4 screws  that secured the transformer to the base enclosure been broken (courier transportation service didt give proper care to the product , that may be the reason). I tried my level best to put the screws back on by putting a small hole in the enclosure.

Regarding the PCB, i thing its the same PCB used on the Yihua 936, ill put more picture of the PCB very soon.

I think the circuit consist of one opamp, a triac and a Pot mainly... Original Hakko 936 contains 2 active IC's i think.

I checked the continuity between the solder pen tip with the mains AC earth lead, it was there and i am happy for that.

[Mattheprofessional]

I checked the board nd its written HYQ-936

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[Mattheprofessional]

I checked the board nd its written HYQ-936

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IC used on the circuit is LM358

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[bd139]

That's all it needs. An LM358 with a bit of hysteresis. It compares the sensor to a reference voltage set by the dial and turns the element on and off and that's it.

Whole thing looks ok to me.

This is the electronic version of what my Weller TCP does (although that requires taking apart to change the temperature)

[Mattheprofessional]

That's all it needs. An LM358 with a bit of hysteresis. It compares the sensor to a reference voltage set by the dial and turns the element on and off and that's it.

Whole thing looks ok to me.

This is the electronic version of what my Weller TCP does (although that requires taking apart to change the temperature)

They have used branded parts fr tge opamp nd triac so i tgink its dependable.. Whay you think

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[bd139]

The handpiece is the variable part on these generally. The base station / transformer looks ok.