Teledyne TW-1 Stripall thermal wire stripper

[Fraser]

I recently purchased a very nice Teledyne TW-1 Stripall thermal stripper. Mine is the version without the temperature controller and just heats up to Max when the button is pressed.

http://www.teledyneinterconnect.com/products/wire_strippers/wirestrip.asp

The TW-1 also has the option of a controller that sits in line with the 110V supply. I thought it likely that this is just a simple light dinner circuit using a Triac to chop the mains waveform. I am no longer so sure though as the TW-1 is a transformer, so inductive load, as opposed to the resistive load expected by a lamp dimmer.

IIRC simple dimmer circuits do not work well with motors and transformers. Back EMF can even kill the Triac.

Does anyone have the Stripall controller that they can open and photograph please. I would like to know what Teledyne have done to control the voltage fed to the transformer.

The TW-1 is also available with the controller hard wired to it, under the model name TWC-1.

Maybe it is just a simple lamp dimmer circuit with some back EMF protection ? That would surely make the transformer in the handpiece buzz though?

Thanks in advance

Fraser

[zapta]

Use a zero crossing controller?

I just press the button for short time if I want lower temperature.

[zapta]

Use a zero crossing switch?

I just press the button for short time if I want lower temperature.

[Wuerstchenhund]

I recently purchased a very nice Teledyne TW-1 Stripall thermal stripper...

And in what way is that related to Test Equipment?

[Fraser]

Damn, it should be in the 'other' category as it is a tool.

Mods please move this as at least one member objects to its existance here.

We all make mistakes.

[zapta]

We all make mistakes.

Some more benign than others.

[Fraser]

Just found a useful thread covering this very topic...... Right here on the forum

https://www.eevblog.com/forum/projects/ac-voltage-control-in-transformer-secondary-using-triac-in-priomary/

The circuit used for controlling an arc welder looks to be suitable.

As Zapta has stated, I can just decide how long to press the button for and see how I get on with that technique. The KISS principle at work.

I would still be interested to see inside the Teledyne controller though.

[john_p_wi]

Sorry, I looked at the controller on mine and it is riveted together.  Risk of damaging something inside when drilling out the rivets is too high for me to go through the effort, I also expect that is why no one else has provided any info.

[Fraser]

@joun-pi-wi

No worries. Thank you for checking. I would not expect anyone to drill out rivets to look inside a unit for me. As you say, this may be why there are no pictures or comments on the controller. It is likely to be similar to an AC welder controller so I can always buy one or use a variac

Thanks again

Fraser

[zapta]

Any safe way for figuring the signal from the outside? E.g. a few wire loops on one of the arms, connected to an oscilloscope?