100W via TRS 3.5mm connector? I checked and I didn't even find a power rating for these connectors, but that seems excessive.
Where are you seeing a TRS connector? Looks like it's USB-C everywhere to me...
Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
101–110 of 415 posts
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#102The 100w and heat resistant storage caps are nice, but that battery pack pricing and the lack of on-device controls makes this not an option for me. $110 cad for the soldering iron is semi-reasonable, if a bit high compared to their competitors. $342 for the iron + battery means that's a $230 battery pack, which is absolutely insane. Requiring the battery pack to be able to easily change controls means anyone doing m…
We designed the system to work for people at a variety of price points.
If you just buy the iron, you have access to all the settings in our web console: https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub/console
The iron persists settings when you unplug it. You can change the sleep timer and timeout, set target temperatures, calibrate the accelerometer, and more.
The Power Station is nice to have, but you don't lose any functionality without it.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#103Pretty cool, but it has to compete with the P80, and also with Fanttik's soldering iron, which has a battery and thus doesn't have the cable leash. https://fanttik.com/products/fanttik-t1-max-soldering-iron-k...
I'm very much a noob at soldering so idk if I'm missing out on anything, but the Pine64 Pinecil[1] has worked great for me so far and is surprisingly cheap. It also uses a RISC-V chip and even has open source firmware[2] 1: https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-solde... 2: https://wiki.pine64.org/wiki/Pinecil_Firmware
This iron has more power than the Pinecil so it gets hotter faster and will heat up big chunks of metal faster (like ground planes or connector shells).
Honestly, I've never been that interested in the Pinecil. It's nice that it's small but you still need a big type C supply. I could give a rats ass that it has open firmware and runs a RISC-V. I only care if it can push a lot of heat accurately and if the tips are affordable and available. Anything else does little to sway me.
My solder station at work is an incredibly dumb Metcal that only has a power switch. Heat is controlled by the tips you use. When you pull it from the iron rest, it turns on instantly. Put it back and it turns off. The handle is just a plug for the tip, all the power electronics are in the base unit. It's got two plugs so you can run dual irons for microsoldering or if you just want a big chisel tip at the ready.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#104Can you comment on the compatibility with other 3.5mm tips like the TS80/TS80P? Will there be other tip shapes available? Is the tip design patented (and enforced) or will you allow for 3rd party tips?
We did not patent the tip design, anyone is welcome to make third party tips. Tips we'll have at launch: Cone, Bevel 1.5, Wedge 1.5, Point, Bevel 2.6, Knife 2.5, Knife 1.4 We made some different electrical design decisions than they did. TS-80 tips aren't rated for the power that we're putting out, so being compatible with the TS-80 tips could be pretty sketchy.
Amazing! Thanks for clarifying. Now I'm much more interested
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#105After a quick look at the specs: Plus * 5 secs to temp. * Heat resistant, vented cap. * User can change auto idle and sleep times. Minus * Need iFixit power station or computer to change temp and other settings. * No temp indicator on the iron. No mention if the LED indicates it's reached set temp. I'd love to keep a small, lightweight, high-quality portable iron in my tool bag ready for quick repairs. It needs to he…
The LED on the iron turns orange once it reaches your target temperature. It glows purple while it's heating, and blue when it's safe to touch.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#106100W via TRS 3.5mm connector? I checked and I didn't even find a power rating for these connectors, but that seems excessive.
The twist is that the TRS is the heating element.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#107100W via TRS 3.5mm connector? I checked and I didn't even find a power rating for these connectors, but that seems excessive.
Where are you seeing a TRS connector? Looks like it's USB-C everywhere to me...
We use a TRS connector between the tip and the iron. And yes, it's a lot of amps!
It's amazing how versatile a well designed analog connector can be.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#108Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#109What I'd really like somebody to do is just stick a field-replaceable 18650 or 21700 battery in the handle. If you want to get fancy, add a dial for temperature control.
Webserial and such makes for a cool tech demo, but I just want portable soldering with standard field-replaceable batteries.
Re: Show HN: iFixit created a new USB-C, repairable soldering system
#110This looks cool, and I'd buy one if I needed one... but I already have a full-sized soldering station and a Pinecil.
The station has a hot air gun and a solder vacuum, so it's far more suitable for use on the bench due to those capabilities.
The Pinecil plugs into the Anker power bank that I carry with me everywhere anyhow, and runs basically forever on it. The UI took a day or so to get used to, but it's simple and straightforward enough for field use. I've even used it for bigger jobs on trucks and tractors in the past, and it didn't miss a beat.