Recommend a Soldering Station Please

[kPATm]

There is an indicator on the supplied PSU but I cant say I noticed if it was on when it did work for 2 minutes?

[sn4k3]

Now you have one PSU you can use with it, you can order one and dedicated for the TS100.
I recommend this one: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/High-Quality-DC-24V-5A-Power-Supply-Charger-Transformer-Adapter-AC110-240V-TO-DC24V-US-EU/32789733696.html

When place order write UK on comment
That will give you the best result and is a high quality PSU

You can also complain with amazon seller and return the PSU for a new replacement, but i recommend buy your own. That already included PSU will be always a cheap crap to make the best profit

[stj]

firstly i think that psu has the wrong plug,
it;s a 2.1mm center pin, isnt the TS100 a 2.5 center pin??

second, any time you see a psu sold for led lighting, be carefull.
they are usually regulated current instead of regulated voltage.
perfect for leds - not for other applications.

[kPATm]

Yes the TS100 is a 2.5mm pin. I used a MM to test the voltage of the PSU and it is dead :-(

I sent the Amazon seller a message about the fault. I dont want to return the Iron as that works fine ( hopefully) but I would hope to get a partial refund or something?

I dont mind using the 20v 2amp PSU I have as long as its safe to do so?

[sn4k3]

firstly i think that psu has the wrong plug,
it;s a 2.1mm center pin, isnt the TS100 a 2.5 center pin??

second, any time you see a psu sold for led lighting, be carefull.
they are usually regulated current instead of regulated voltage.
perfect for leds - not for other applications.

Is TS100 is a common 5.5x2.5. I fixed my post with correct link.
Have one of this and they are voltage regulated, tested with many loads, voltage always fixed. Beside this look original HP PSUs, they are heavy and specs are real. (Maybe used units from scravaging)

[sn4k3]

Yes the TS100 is a 2.5mm pin. I used a MM to test the voltage of the PSU and it is dead :-(

I sent the Amazon seller a message about the fault. I dont want to return the Iron as that works fine ( hopefully) but I would hope to get a partial refund or something?

I dont mind using the 20v 2amp PSU I have as long as its safe to do so?

At max you have to send DC charger back. Or maybe you can open and repair, it can be a cap or a wire, happen to cheap psus many times.
Seller will refund you a small value or send you a new psu. If sent by amazon you have to send it back and postage is refunded too.

That 20V will work fine. If from a laptop it's safe to use

[Gyro]

Damn, that's bad luck! 

I guess as the TS100 manufacturer doesn't source a PSU as standard, the Amazon seller has probably mixed and matched something he has sourced himself. It could be marginal spec (not able to take the peak current), or just plain faulty.

If you can get a partial refund from Amazon you may be better sourcing a second hand genuine laptop PSU cheaply on ebay, something like a genuine Lenovo or HP (I use an old HP one) that has a 3-pin mains connector.

I'm using the latest F/W from Ralim's site (V1.17.1) and can confirm that it is working fine.

I'm not sure what 20V 2A power supply you've got, it should be ok as long as its output doesn't collapse under the initial heat-up current. if it goes into current limit and dips too low (<12V) or goes into foldback protection then the CPU in the TS100 will go into reset.

Do you have a bench PSU that you can use for now? If it's that that is 2A, then just wind down the voltage a little (say, 16V) so that the iron won't draw more than 2A.

BTW. these are the 2.5 x 5.5mm connector and flexible Silicone cable that I am using on mine:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-Power-Plug-Socket-Male-Female-Barrel-Connector-Multiple-Sizes-Available-/292033926253?var=&hash=item43fe94146d:m:mUesRQQNWhwM4BtX-0CbALg   (The Yellow higher current fork one)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Twin-Core-Silicone-Rubber-Cable-2x0-4mm-Conductors-6amp-DC-Wiring-Cord-/152000411964?hash=item2363ee393c:g:eBcAAOSwll1W1cRU

I hope you can get it sorted with the seller!


EDIT: From a quick search, there are several second hand 18.5V / 19V / 20V  HP / Dell / Toshiba / IBM PSUs on ebay for very little cash (you might want to try a few other search strings too). Worst case you need to change the DC output jack (as above) or better still, patch on the nice Silicone cable too...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_odkw=genuine+laptop+psu&_sop=15&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1313.TR0.TRC0.H0.TRS0&_nkw=genuine+laptop+psu&_sacat=0

[kPATm]

I was actually purchased direct from SainSmart and the PSU is a labeled SainSmart also.

Im using a MSI Wind laptop Battery at 20v 2amps. I do have a couple of IMB Laptop Batteries rated at 16v 4.5 amps

Scratch that I just discovered that the IMB laptop charger is faulty as well. BUGGER

Gyro what barrel connector did you get

5.5mm x2.5mm Long,short or forked?

[Gyro]

The Forked one. The length is correct and the forked inner connector gives a better, higher current, contact than the ordinary ones.

P.S. For the <£1 price difference it's worth getting a couple of spares.

[kPATm]

Yip just bought 3 and 2m of cable. Just waiting on my 3d printed stand to finish

[kPATm]

Would I be better using the 16v 4.5 amp PSU?

[Gyro]

Yes, probably for now. The heating power will be lower but you will have the confidence of sufficient current capacity while you're checking that the iron itself is ok.

Ultimately I would aim for a reliable, ie, genuine laptop manufacturer, PSU for it. Don't forget to go for a 3 pin mains input one to ensure that it's output is grounded rather than being subject to Y-cap leakage. I know Lenovo do a 20V 90W one, probably other manufacturers too.

[kPATm]

Iv just ordered the connectors and cable. I will repair the IBM Think Pad PSU (16v 4.5amps) and use that. My only concern is opening the PSU to repair. They are a bit of a pain in the ass to open


Are PSU like this properly grounded? It has the 3 pin mains but it only connects to a 2 pin on the actual PSU?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/For-ASUS-X5D-X5DC-X5DIJ-X50IJ-X5DIN-Laptop-Charger-AC-Adapter-19V-3-42A-65W-PSU-/292204433271?hash=item4408bdcf77:g:c5EAAOSwAYJZhLkW

[Gyro]

Avoid anything with 'For' in the title - that means it's a cheap Chinese clone!

Go for one with a genuine laptop manufacturer label on it. Even if it's second hand, it will have been built to far higher standard. You'll probably get it cheaper too.

As for repairing the IBM one, yes they are a bit of a pain to open - a bench vise or hammer are generally involved (there's a very recent thread on this). If you're not very careful and know exactly what you're doing, you can severely shock or electrocute yourself in the process! I really don't recommended it. If you're lucky it's just a broken DC output cable - try metering at the DC jack while flexing the cable at each end.

I was referring to PSUs which have a 3 pin mains input connectors at the PSU (either IEC or 'cloverleaf') not 2 pin ones.  In that case the output -ve (DC jack outer) should be grounded. You should be able to measure continuity between the mains input ground pin and the DC jack.

EDIT:As an example of what you should be looking for...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/GENUINE-DELL-20V-2-5A-AC-ADAPTER-PA-8-ORIGINAL-LAPTOP-POWER-SUPPLY-PSU-OR334-/192311827979?hash=item2cc6ad9e0b:g:IPMAAOSw7NNT0q4I

You'll want to shorten the output cable and splice your nice flexible cable and plug anyway.

Another example... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Genuine-HP-Laptop-AC-Adaptor-Charger-PSU-239427-001-239704-001-18-5V-3-5A-/302294060743?hash=item4662214ec7:g:XEAAAOSw5UZY~eig

[kPATm]

Im not buying the "For" Asus PSU it was just an example but thats actually a good bit of advice.

Its just the connector on the IBM PSU thats broken. I will just splice the Flexible cable to it. Thanks

[Gyro]

Excellent, that'll save a bit of money then. 

[kPATm]

Well I finally managed to get the stand printed out. Got the 3d model from thingiverse and made some changes. It works well. Will probably add another section for a wet sponge

[sn4k3]

Well I finally managed to get the stand printed out. Got the 3d model from thingiverse and made some changes. It works well. Will probably add another section for a wet sponge

Nice, the only thing is missing on that stand are lateral slots for place the tips 
Something like this:

[kPATm]

Thats a good idea. Im goin to redesign the stand later to accommodate a couple of suction pads. I will also add some tip holders as well.

[sn4k3]

Thats a good idea. Im goin to redesign the stand later to accommodate a couple of suction pads. I will also add some tip holders as well.

Don't forget to share

[kPATm]

Decided to just add some double sided sticky pads to the base. I also used an old drip tip for my vapes to the bottom of the Holder bracket. It works really well. Iron is nice and secure. I might leave the tip holder for now as I like how the Stand is nice and compact as it is. I dont really see me having more than 2 tips anyway?

Do you want the .stl file to print for yourself?

[stj]

get some sticky-back felt pads from Rapid or Morrisons.
maybe even Poundland.

[kPATm]

Iv already put some sticky pads on the base :-)

[sn4k3]

Yes stl files would be nice or publish a remix at original model on thingyverse

[kPATm]

You will need to alter the Iron holder bracket to fit a nut at the bottom. Like I said I used an old drip tip to secure the iron. I could send you the .stl file if you like. Can I do it by Pm?