:: soldering iron mod (for traditional ceramic heater types)

[3roomlab]

hi folks,

first of all ... this mod may not work for all users of traditional ceramic heater soldering irons (eg : Goot TQ series? some hakkos?).

the mod is to improve contact between ceramic heater and tip. it is a no brainer mod actually (see pic).

for some users who may have noticed, these tips do not always fit around the heater snugly. hence due to this, if there is temperature control involved, the heating cycle hysteresis max/min temperature will be bigger. by inserting an additional aluminium film/sheet ( i took mine cut out from a thick aluminium baking tray, wash it or leave it with some of the butter smell ... it will help when you turn it on to tell you, it is working !!!) to "tighten" up the contact between heater and tip (the piece i used is only about 1cm by 3cm), the heater now is a snug fit ... and the heat transfer is ... although still not perfect, but very much improved. because i mod my own temp control, the hysteresis cycle is now reduced (about +/- 7^oC) and i have also turned down the total power dimmer to 75% ...  (used to be around 90-100%)

the pic shows a certain way i have positioned the rolled aluminium, it is suppose to help angle the ALU piece so that the ceramic heater will help ease it inside. warning it could get stuck, so try at your own risk. for tips which have alot of "space" ... you know you will need to do this mod

it seems that as you may switch to new/different shaped tips, every tip have a slightly different fit. and these slight variations in mechanical contact affects the thermal characteristics somewhat greatly if you are already used to a certain "style" of soldering ...

hope this is helpful to ceramic soldering iron users