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Build your own temperature controlled soldering station

Catwell

The PIC microcontroller is probably the most useful, versatile, and venerable electrical component I have ever used. Her e is another cheap, but completely worthwhile, PIC based project; A Temperature Controlled Soldering Station. The goal is to control the inexpensive soldering irons everyone buys from being so hot that it ruins solder quality. Most irons will get to between 300oC and 500oC, and solder melts at a lower temp than that. Ever just vaporize some solder? I have, and I am tired of dumping more into the point. Not to mention that letting soldering irons run as hot as they can get significantly lowers its life expectance. This mod lets you control the iron's temperature with a potentiometer, displays the current temp on a small LCD, and is based on a PIC 16F88, a 40 cent chip.
 
 
What I would add to this project is the ability to disconnect soldering irons I made from the power supply. That way I can easily swap in a new tool. Enjoy...
 
UPDATE: link changed.
 
Cabe
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  • In case you don't work on NASA projects......

     

    Schmartboard sells a nifty kit that is basically a 40W iron and a triac lamp dimmer circuit (part number

    920-0025-02)

     

    I just wrap a 1/2-in length of my fav solder around the tip and turn it up until it just melts (great for tiny smd work).

     

    This iron works better than my $300 Weller soldering station.  Sometimes simple is better.

     

    Scott

  • in reply to Capper

    Scott, Yes I qualified on the course a long time ago before my work at Hughes Aircraft (satellite div) in LA. What I was trying to say that poor technique will end up with poor results. And so what if you don't work in a NASA clean room. But I do build experimental aircraft that I put my life in.. So I strive for the best that I can do. Yes I am myopic! one of the sayings that we used to say "I'm not going to go on that 25,000 mile service call! remember they did that one for Hubbell image". And beside they say you may be able to take the horse to water... But he may not drink it.

    enjoy

  • in reply to phoenixcomm

    Couldn't agree more with Harrison, if you're going to learn to do it, why not do it in the best way?  As for soldering irons, sure triac light dimmer?  Why not just a nail and lighter, even easier, cheap and simple?  The fact is the soldering process has been studied in depth, and best way is the NASA, or MILSPEC or IPC way, everything else has been known to create faulty joints when you least expect it.  Soldering irons are only half the equation, the other half is user skill; before temperature controlled irons existed a lot more was placed on training the operator; the reason temperature controlled irons became the norm was due to studies that showed the effects of no regulation, partial regulation, to full regulation not just joint integrity, but the lifespan of the soldered part.

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  • in reply to phoenixcomm

    Couldn't agree more with Harrison, if you're going to learn to do it, why not do it in the best way?  As for soldering irons, sure triac light dimmer?  Why not just a nail and lighter, even easier, cheap and simple?  The fact is the soldering process has been studied in depth, and best way is the NASA, or MILSPEC or IPC way, everything else has been known to create faulty joints when you least expect it.  Soldering irons are only half the equation, the other half is user skill; before temperature controlled irons existed a lot more was placed on training the operator; the reason temperature controlled irons became the norm was due to studies that showed the effects of no regulation, partial regulation, to full regulation not just joint integrity, but the lifespan of the soldered part.

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