ZD-8915 De-Soldering Station (OEM Zhongdi)

[Mick]

I purchased a ZD-8915 vacuum de-soldering station for the workshop. Here is a quick list of my thoughts and pic's:

Pro's

• Temperature control loop much more stable than previous models.
• De-Soldering gun feels much nicer in hand than previous models.
• Automatic sleep after 15 minutes, tip cools to 200°C (7 pin version only).

Con's

• Very slow warn-up
• No front mains switch (I moved mains switch from rear).
• Fan mounting poor, see attached pictures.

[mariush]

Typical... find it somewhat funny how they do things half assed

They use those tantalum capacitors but they still leave two electrolytic capacitors, one bent probably due to lack of room
They use connectors everywhere but solder wires directly to one header on the board - apparently too hard to crimp wires to pins and shove pins in a connector , or at least slide wires inside holes.
using threadlock on all connectors when they could have used connectors with retainer or locking mechanism.

[henas]

I had look at this one as well and trying to compare it to ZD-985. I red some people complain about  new design glass barrell/solder catcher setup. Apparently hard to remove and clean. It appear ZD-8915 has much thinner, compare to ZD-985, tube which is housing heating element. I wonder how this affects overall performance when desoldering components with large thermal mass?

[Mick]

Both new and old models are fairly easy to clean from my experience.

I tested both head to head and it's hard to pick a difference on a large thermal mass (through-hole 4 layer boards), they equally suck. I used hot air or 'cut n wick' to de-solder multi-layer boards.

[bitwelder]

they equally suck.

Pun intended? 

[henas]

Actually  I bought  one and now I am in the process of returning it.
My concerns  were valid. Combination; small tip and thin, small heater element creates too small thermal mass.
I had problems even with average size components unless I cranked up temperature to ridicules level.
After few joints I measured tips temperature, it drops more then 100 deg Celsius. Surprisingly the unit was still showing set 350 C.
Other concerns I have: guns barrel, because is so thin, it is flexing during wiggle action when sucking.
I wonder how long is going to last before braking off from the handle. The barrel clogs up hard easily too.
I believe this is reported problem with both models but there is solution to fix it.
The tube removing and cleaning I haven't found too difficult. Its OK. The pump is superior to any sucker I have ever used.

Overall I found it inferior to my nearly 20 year old Aoyue 701. Still willing to try ZD-9815 predecessor ZD-985.

[Daruosha]

Overall I found it inferior to my nearly 20 year old Aoyue 701. Still willing to try ZD-9815 predecessor ZD-985.

20 years old Aoyue?? They are around for 20 years?!

[wraper]

Overall I found it inferior to my nearly 20 year old Aoyue 701. Still willing to try ZD-9815 predecessor ZD-985.

20 years old Aoyue?? They are around for 20 years?!

Yep Auyue is quite old but still producing crap which is even overpriced these days.

[Alf Torp]

Does anyone know what temperature sensing the ZD-8915 gun uses? Is it a thermistor or is it a thermocoupler? How do I find out ?