PACE Set-Back Controls

[TPI]

Ive recently upgraded to a PACE MBT-350 system. Before that having a Weller unit which had a auto setback feature where it would shut-down the iron when placed in the holder via a magnet and reed-switch.
PACE also has this feature but its an optional extra, you need to buy a $120 cradle with the in-built switch or whatever it is to trigger this.

I would like to know if anybody has the PACE "Set-Back Cubby" as I'd like to know what they are using to detect the iron in the cradle. EG: is it a reed switch, microswitch or something else ?
As I'd like to create my own instead of buying the extra expensive cradle when I was already supplied one. (Ive checked and they dont sell a kit to retro-fit a standard cradle.

The set back cradle plugs in via a 3pin Mini-DIN connector. I had a look at it and one pin is GND, and the other two have +5V on them. But Im reluctant to short any of them together to try and simulate it.

So if anybody has one of those and can work out how it operates, I'd greatly appreciate the info.

[djsb]

I have one of these systems. I'm sure there is an automatic setback function that lowers the temperature after an adjustable delay period. Why not just use this capability instead?
Here is a link to the user manual that has details on how to adjust the setback delay etc.

http://www.paceworldwide.com/sites/default/files/MBT%20350%20Manual%20EN.pdf

Please let me know if you manage to set this to your liking. I can then have a go at adjusting mine system as well.

David.

[TPI]

I belive you can make the channels shut down after a selectable time (minimum 10mins and maximum 99minutes)

But what I'm trying to acheive is to make my own "instant set back cubby" instead of buying a PACE one. In order to lower the tip temp after its placed in the craddle.

The timers which are avaible on the station dont related to the cradle at all.

Was just hoping somebody had one of those SetBack Cubbys so they could tell me how the detecting mechanism whatever it may be works.

[soren]

I have converted the stand for my Pace TD-100 to use the instant setback feature.

Thanks to TPI who checked how the official Pace ISB cubby works.

When _SW is connected to GND on the ISB connector, the station drops the temperature to 350° F after 45 seconds.

My first idea was to use a long-lever microswitch (V-153-1C25 type from eBay) mounted from the inside (see picture). This type has the ideal length for the barrel the iron goes into, but unfortunately it also has rather high activation force and travel, so finding a suitable position and angle for it turned out to impractical.

Instead I used a small SMD microswitch attached with epoxy to the front of the barrel where it has much lower risk of being fouled by the iron tip.

The type I used - http://katalog.we-online.de/em/datasheet/434123050816.pdf - is specified for an activation force of 160g +/- 50g. The handpiece with cable and tip only weighs about 80g and it only triggers the switch by gravity alone if the cable is lying on the table, but in practice the small amount of acceleration added when placing the iron in the stand makes it work reliably. When triggered, the weight of the handpiece alone is sufficient to keep the switch held down.

Still, I'd suggest getting a microswitch with the lowest possible activation force.

I used enameled wire routed out of reach of the iron tip to connect to a terminal block bolted to the side of the upper part of the stand so that part is still removable. The lower part of the stand already has the hole for the ISB cable.

I didn't have the male 3-pin Mini-DIN connector needed to plug into the ISB socket on the soldering station, but I did have a 7-pin one, which has three of its pins in the right locations and so can be hacked to fit :-)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:MiniDIN-3_Diagram.svg
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pseudo_miniDIN-7_Diagram.png

I have also included some pictures of the Pace ST-30 station. The main components are:

http://www.nxp.com/products/microcontrollers/8_16_bit_legacy/otp_rom/P87C51RA_IA.html
http://www.microchip.com/wwwproducts/Devices.aspx?dDocName=en010518

As can be seen in the picture of the transformer, this European version can easily be converted to 115V operation.

[TPI]

Thats a great solution! no drilling or modifications to the case needed.

Here are some pictures of the PACE made model, if anybody wish's to attempt to replicate what they have done.

[quint]

Well, that is *very* interesting.  I've got a Pace TD-100 autosetback caddy which looks quite different from your photos.  It is model number 1140-0069 and it certainly doesn't have a simple mechanical switch like yours.  In fact, it seems to work with a non contact capacitive sensor.  I've attached a few photos which show the bottom of my stand.  Note the circuit board, which contains two chips.  One is a LittleFuse SP721-AP which is a TVS diode array and the other is a QT 310-D which seems to be a capacitive touch sense chip.  Quite different from the switch based unit you showed.

[edr1924]

THANKS to the previous posters!! 

Instead of buying a very expensive Auto Setback Caddy, I now have the same functionality with a few scrap parts.
When the hand-piece is in the caddy, a green LED lights the inside to confirm detection. It's a nice sight anyway
I could have used a switch but this was easier to realize.


It works like a dream but comments to improve are very much appreciated!

[arhi]

with ISB connected did you notice that it's keeping the tip @210C and not @175C ?
should we disable the SB option in firmware when using ISB?

and finally - did anyone maybe tried to upgrade 1.7 to 2.0 or newer? any useful upgrades on the 2.0?