Fitting soldering iron for old Conrad LS-DIGI 60 station

[Xses]

Hi!                              //Because that's the only correct way to start a new post here!

So I've recently got the Conrad Elektronik LS-DIGI-60 soldering station. It's a bit old, mine is from '96 and I believe they introduced it in the early '90s, but it works perfectly. The only problem is that iron is in pretty bad shape and of course, there are no replacement parts anymore, so I have to fit something. I've done the research and measurements and that's what I found:

Supply voltage:      24V
Heater resistance:  10.6Ω
Temp. sensor:        1KΩ PTC
Plug:                     5Pin DIN with standard (I believe) pinout - heater1, heater2, GND, temp1, temp2 (counting clockwise)
Max station power: 80W

So it seems that generic 75W Zhaoxin soldering iron replacement is a good fit however I am not sure about pinout, but this is not an issue. The bigger issue is that afaik it uses the thermocouple, not the thermistor, so the question is: Does anyone know any good fit replacement or should I go for Zhaoxin and modify it with replacing the temperature sensor?


Also, Russian Conrad claims that LK-60 is a replacement for that iron:
https://conrad.ru/catalog/payalniki/professionalnyy_payalnik_lk_60_dlya_ls_digi_60_/
I couldn't find one anywhere on the west and with a reasonable price.

[Xses]

C'mon guys and girls. No one ever checked the parameters of soldering irons?

[RayRay]

Are you seriously asking for a compatible iron with a ~30 year old station? You might as well ask for a VCR!
Just move on, and get a t12 station.

[Xses]

You know, in some places on the planet even T10 is not "cheap" and I believe that old Conrad is worth upgrading even after all these years, because of its superior quality. It's german, that means something.

[Xses]

And the question is more about new soldering irons. I gave all the parameters of the station.

[RayRay]

Sorry, but by current standards, your old soldering station is considered a junk!
A T12 station can be found for $30-40 on aliexpress (you could either buy one pre-made, or buy the parts and enclosure, and assemble it yourself) each additional tip is $2-3, there also various handle options (I.E a 9501 handle, with shorter distance to the tip, for better precision) overall, its definitely affordable (and has an exceptional cost to value ratio!)

[DavidAlfa]

I know that eastern countries have the thinking of repair instead buying new (I also do ), but it's 30 years old.
Most stations work with TC sensors nowadays, PTC is very old technology.
What we know here is usually common, modern brands like Weller, JBC, Pace, Hakko....
You might still be able to make am amplifier circuit that converts the TC voltage to a compatible signal, but I don't think there are plug and play options.
For sure, there'will be an unknown brand somewhere that still uses that technology. But who knows.

[Xses]

Okay, okay. I know it's 30$~40$ on Alie however, I'll still try to fit a new handle. Thx anyway guys.

[Xses]

Think that you have to multiply that 40$ times 4, so it is more like 160$ here and if you don't want to wait you have to pay something like 200$ and I am also a student and my parents are not very rich, you know how it is. I've got my station it works and I just want to upgrade it.

[DavidAlfa]

Just order from china and wait 2-3 weeks until it arrives 
The Hakko 936 seems to use a PTC sensor. But much lower value: 70-130ohm.
You might be able to modify the sensing circuitry to read it
Check this;
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/genuine-vs-fake-hakko-936-ceramic-heater-a1321/msg240442/#msg240442
https://www.instructables.com/DIY-Soldering-Station-With-OLED-Display/

[Xses]

That's what I was looking for. Thx!

[tunk]

If that 24V is DC, then you could look at something like this:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Soldering-Iron-Station-Temperature-Controller-Kits-for-T12-T2-Core-Handle/181967829548?hash=item2a5e20ba2c:g:boIAAOSwSHZWdqHM

[DavidAlfa]

tunk, I was thinking the same but you were faster  . This one is a little cheaper.
www.aliexpress.com/item/32740527077.html

[Xses]

Just order from china and wait 2-3 weeks until it arrives 

By multiplying by 4 I meant consequences of using shitty currency here. 40$ ~ 160PLN

[DavidAlfa]

I understand. Then go for the cheapest option, T12 tips and simple Led controller 
It's going to cost close to buying the hakko stuff, but it will work for sure.

[Xses]

Ok, so, I was like - I'm gonna at least try to modify it, so I've opened it and realized it has stupid chip on board, so not only it is old but also crap. Anyway It works, so I'm gonna use it till the heater dies and then I will do as you said: " T12 tips and simple Led controller ". 
The only interesting thing is that it worked for 30 years, so it may die tomorrow or after the next 30 years.

[DavidAlfa]

Look, you can get the front part only (the grey model with oled display) with the nice aluminium plate for little money. Only 11 euro (13usd). It's a great deal.

And get a cheaper handle elsewhere.
I've been using the cheapest handle (the blue, plastic type) for 2 years without problem. Not melting or breaking apart.

Checking the customer pictures, it seems to use stm32.
Looks to be another ksger v2.1 clone? That leaves the door open for custom firmwares.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_uAyP4t






If you are going to the cheapest option, this is good for only 7eur/8$.

https://a.aliexpress.com/_vtPGGH

I used one like that for a while before buying the T12.
Not bad, did a lot of things with it. You have tons of cheap tips.