Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

[Delirious]

Hello!

Some time ago I got myself a new soldering station as I was planning to start doing some more soldering. This soldering station is mains powered so it is not comparable to other larger soldering station. I have not really been using it much, but I read that the Xytronic stations might have bad caps so i decided to open it up.

So as far as I can see there are only 2 caps:

VLSOM 470 uF 25V
STONE 100 uF 25V


So the question is if I should replace them with something better? If so what would you recommend? I can get Rubycon and Panasonic quite easily. See the attached pics for more info.


Any input is appreciated!

[Fast Alpha]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

https://www.rapidonline.com/xytronic...tation-85-6780

You saved my money.
Did you buy it from here?
I don't know about soldering, but there are bad sellers from UK.

[Delirious]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

https://www.rapidonline.com/xytronic...tation-85-6780

You saved my money.
Did you buy it from here?
I don't know about soldering, but there are not very helpful around here.

I got it for about 45 pounds at Elfa Distrelec some time ago. So I thought the price was pretty good.

Were you planning on buying it?

[Fast Alpha]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

I edited my message after you replied to it. Yep I was going to buy it but then I saw your photos. Not now!

I need a 60W good long lasting solderint station, any ideas that are good?

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

http://www.banggood.com/BAKON-950D-7...-p-982824.html

is the best value i have ever seen.
you can spend the difference on this:
http://www.banggood.com/T12-Series-S...-p-932701.html

you even get a discount if you buy them together.

[Delirious]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

I edited my message after you replied to it. Yep I was going to buy it but then I saw your photos. Not now!

I need a 60W good long lasting solderint station, any ideas that are good?

Haha! Glad I could help you The BAKON looks good and I can vouch for Banggood.


Still would people recommend me to change the caps?

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

i would - i always change the chinese caps in stuff.

i wouldnt panic though - i would still expect them to last a year or 2.

[Delirious]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

Thanks, Ill probable change them sooner than later.

[mariushm]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

The soldering station doesn't use a switching power supply, it's just plain rectification plus capacitor, so we're looking at 100-120 Hz and low temperatures insides (they won't be as hot as near switching ICs or diodes).
So for these purposes, the capacitors inside will be fine and should last a good amount of time, no need to hurry to change them.

And when you do decide to change them, no need to go with very low esr capacitors or polymers (no benefit going with that), just pick something with long life rating.

[kc8adu]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

wimpy transformer compared to what i see in other stations.

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

yes, but afaik it's a 36v iron, not a 24v one.

[Delirious]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

The soldering station doesn't use a switching power supply, it's just plain rectification plus capacitor, so we're looking at 100-120 Hz and low temperatures insides (they won't be as hot as near switching ICs or diodes).
So for these purposes, the capacitors inside will be fine and should last a good amount of time, no need to hurry to change them.

And when you do decide to change them, no need to go with very low esr capacitors or polymers (no benefit going with that), just pick something with long life rating.

Okay thats good to know. Is there a downside with low esr capacitor except for price?

[mariushm]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

It depends.

Some linear regulators don't like very low esr capacitors. For example *1117 linear regulators prefer capacitors on the output with esr between 0.1 ohm and 1 ohm, some polymer capacitors of very low esr capacitors can have esr below 0.1 ohms
With such an output capacitor, the output voltage could oscillate or the linear regulator could reset from time to time, making the station reset.

On your pcb, U2 is most likely a linear regulator (probably a 7805, which in general isn't very picky about capacitors) ... U3 is probably a LM358 opamp which again doesn't care about capacitors....

[Th3_uN1Qu3]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

STONE capacitors are garbage. Replace. I would just change both for peace of mind, it'll take you 5 minutes. Use general purpose series like Rubycon YXA.

[Fast Alpha]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

http://www.banggood.com/BAKON-950D-7...-p-982824.html

is the best value i have ever seen.
you can spend the difference on this:
http://www.banggood.com/T12-Series-S...-p-932701.html

you even get a discount if you buy them together.

It is from Hong Kong, I cannot use it as the plug is not a UK one!

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

It is from Hong Kong, I cannot use it as the plug is not a UK one!

that's a European SCHUKO plug you fool!

[Fast Alpha]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

http://www.henrysdjpacentre.co.uk/ek...plug-519-p.jpg

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/162046586628

[Fast Alpha]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

So that is a good buy is it, nice one with the adapter.
So I buy and try then you will fly.

[stj]

Re: Xytronic LF-389D capacitor quality

the iron is among the best - second only to JBC and Metcal

the base looks o.k. - nice of them to show internal pics.