Electronics > Beginners
Trying to solder correctly
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SPFC:
Hi guys,

please...

I have a question and would like to take this topic to eliminate it.

I have a 20 watt 110 volt soldering iron.

Well, is there some problem with setting a dimmer as one of the devices to control its temperature?

Thank you
KL27x:

--- Quote ---I have a 20 watt 110 volt soldering iron.

Well, is there some problem with setting a dimmer as one of the devices to control its temperature?
--- End quote ---

Not really. But this the dimmer is directly modulating the power of the iron, not the temp. You can repeatably alter your set temp by modulating the power, but this is not going to perform the same as a temperature-controlled station.

The temp-controlled station will bump up power to try to maintain its set temp while you are soldering. The power-controlled iron outputs the same amount of power all the time. So while soldering, the temperature sags.

While you can adjust the power and your soldering rhythm so that the temp is more or less ideal while soldering, this means that between soldering... while the iron is not being used... the temp of the iron will reach its peak. This higher temp burns the flux off and crustifies the solder on there, faster. The iron will basically require more frequent cleaning, and the tip life might be a bit lower.
HB9EVI:
I consider 20W as too weak for many soldering works; it maybe still works well on small pcb islands, but as soon as you're facing e.g. bigger gnd areas, you're lost with 20W; you have to excessivly heat the working area for a longer time what can cause fatal thermal stress to the component you want to solder.

It's a widespread misunderstanding to use low power irons for example for smd works - the result always is increased heat exposure to the components; not only it sucks to work like that, it can cause harm to your components and to the pcb itself.
SPFC:

--- Quote from: KL27x on July 28, 2019, 02:42:12 am ---
--- Quote ---I have a 20 watt 110 volt soldering iron.

Well, is there some problem with setting a dimmer as one of the devices to control its temperature?
--- End quote ---

Not really. But this the dimmer is directly modulating the power of the iron, not the temp. You can repeatably alter your set temp by modulating the power, but this is not going to perform the same as a temperature-controlled station.

--- End quote ---

Yes, in this case the dimmer will be directly related to the iron power and not to the temperature.   As I said, the dimmer would possibly be one of the elements of the system.


--- Quote from: KL27x on July 28, 2019, 02:42:12 am ---The temp-controlled station will bump up power to try to maintain its set temp while you are soldering. The power-controlled iron outputs the same amount of power all the time. So while soldering, the temperature sags.

While you can adjust the power and your soldering rhythm so that the temp is more or less ideal while soldering, this means that between soldering... while the iron is not being used... the temp of the iron will reach its peak. This higher temp burns the flux off and crustifies the solder on there, faster. The iron will basically require more frequent cleaning, and the tip life might be a bit lower.

--- End quote ---

I understood the second paragraph roughly. The third was a disappointment.   :palm: |O

Well, I asked it because here in Brazil I accessed a web-page whose content says that electrical resistances below 40 watts are not appropriate to include a dimmer.


--- Quote from: HB9EVI on July 28, 2019, 10:09:28 am ---I consider 20W as too weak for many soldering works; it maybe still works well on small pcb islands, but as soon as you're facing e.g. bigger gnd areas, you're lost with 20W; you have to excessivly heat the working area for a longer time what can cause fatal thermal stress to the component you want to solder.

It's a widespread misunderstanding to use low power irons for example for smd works - the result always is increased heat exposure to the components; not only it sucks to work like that, it can cause harm to your components and to the pcb itself.

--- End quote ---

HB9EVI,

I already know and understand that Americans like powerfull things.   But as I am from Brazil, life here is more difficult and I won't use it for working, I don't intend to spend so much on it.   A soldering station, even buying from abroad, is expensive.
KL27x:

--- Quote ---The third was a disappointment.   :palm: |O
--- End quote ---
Well, I'm comparing how the dimmer setup would perform compared to a proper temperature controlled iron. Compared to how your iron works right now, adding a dimmer won't make it any worse. I guess I'm trying to temper your expectations of what this will do.


--- Quote ---Well, I asked it because here in Brazil I accessed a web-page whose content says that electrical resistances below 40 watts are not appropriate to include a dimmer.
--- End quote ---
In America we measure resistance in ohms.

You're the one with the station. If you will find power-control useful on your station, you should not worry about what a random website creator thinks is appropriate.

Unless you have some strange requirements, I think you will use the dimmer only to turn down the temp while you are not using the iron. When using your 20W iron, you will probably turn it back up to full power for most things. So a dimmer might be overkill. A cheaper method of achieving this is a switch and a rectifer diode. (And another $5.00 iron to solder it.)  Then you have a half power setting for standby, to keep the iron hot when idle. This worked great on my firestick, 20 years ago.


--- Quote ---as I am from Brazil, life here is more difficult and I won't use it for working, I don't intend to spend so much on it.
--- End quote ---
Lucky for us, arguing on the internet is free. We don't even have to waste any breath! >:D
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