RE: USB-C Soldering Iron as a Daily Tool

shabaz — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 13:55:58 GMT

(Answering a question that was made on the video):

Genuine JBC tips function with with the L245 with ready-made USB charger bricks, but only specific bricks. I tried three:

1. An Anker one with a 45W USB-C output (Anker PowerPort Atom III, 63W total)
2. Ugreen DigiNest 65W
3. Ugreen 100W 4-port charger model 70871

Of the three, only the charger #3 (Ugreen 70871) worked for me with genuine JBC tips (bought from a known official JBC supplier).

It requires a 100W USB-C cable (i.e. a cable specifically rated for 100W, they have a chip inside the plug). Without that cable, it doesn't work.

The cable I used is Anker 643, which is a 100W silicone cable. Non-silicone lower-cost cables should work too, but they need that 100W capability to be supported.

I tested that charger #3 with the largest JBC tip I had, and it still worked. The tip was C245-729,which is powerful enough to skate around a copper clad board with solder as if it were watercolor paint.

Incidentally, the Meanwell supply that I used struggled with that tip, it ultimately functioned but pulls the power rail down a bit while initially heating up. If I were to do it again, I'd use a LRS-150-24 (150W) instead of the 75W model that I used. The cost difference is just £4 extra, but needs a larger case.

I didn't test any non-JBC tips. All I had was the knife tip that comes with the iron, and that wasn't suitable for normal component soldering.

RE: USB-C Soldering Iron as a Daily Tool

Andrew J — Mon, 17 Apr 2023 12:29:45 GMT

That's a great approach and an interesting experiment. I'd draw a similar conclusion but I think there are likely to be merits argued either way (some people may argue best of both worlds). However, I'd keep the USB iron as purely portable but invest in a quality soldering station. The one I have is [embed:ad4490ac-0ce8-4f2d-a04c-9285646d5689:8f31d9c9-80c3-4076-8134-12b312c1f958:text=Hakko%20FX888D&style=link&farnell=SD03028&newark=&cpc=&avnetemea=&avnetema=&avnetasia=&comoverride=&cmpoverride=&AreaInteracted=rte-content&bom=] and it's a good tool - many go for the more expensive FX951 but the FX888D has served me well, still does. The kit I link to is an extra £50 but includes 6 tips and frankly I think it's a bit of a bargain at that price.

Having said that I'd probably have dived in with the experiment to see as well!