"Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

[DMCrimson]

As I mentioned in other thread, there's some weller trouble - so I thought I'd ask: Would it be possible to mod a WECP-20 (50W) with 85W transformer to supply a WP80 soldering iron? I know the pinout on the iron and supply do not match, but that's just a small thing. The control board seems to be ok for more watts than just 50.

[thomas_rudloff]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Drill the missing 7th whole in the connector. As long as you do not require 100% duty cycle the WECP can handle this. It might have some little hum while heating.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

That thought hadn't even crossed my mind Will have to try that - as sourcing a suitable transformer has failed.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Hehe, finally got around to do this, though I didn't have a drill to work with. Just plain soldering iron, with some stiff copper wire wrapped on it - on I went. The transformer indeed does hum a bit, and stops at some point, but this could be that I had just WP80 to go with. Overall - satisfied. Still need to try and source that transformer Gosh year and a half

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Anyone with PU80? care to pop it open and check part number on controller pcb and trans? Pictures would be cool too

[redwire]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Found a schematic of the Weller PU-81, but no success on the 80.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Looks like I need to do a comparison on the pcb against that. Any info on the transformer?

[redwire]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Soldering irons don't run 100% duty cycle, you can under-spec the transformer i.e Weller PU120T (for WTCPT) is a 60W unit with a 40VA transformer.

I am confused with the part numbers we are talking about
WS 81 - 80W temp. controlled soldering station set (240VAC mains)
WS 81T - 80W analog temp. controlled soldering station set (240VAC mains)
PU 81 - analog temp. control power unit (base PSU)
WSP 80 - soldering pencil

The part number: 810 87487 29 TRANSFORMER 230/24VAC 80VA
So it looks like an 80VA transformer is used. Run the 50VA one you have and see if it runs too hot.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Ooops, my bad for not being clear enough... I'm running a WSP80 with WECP-20, which is a 50VA thingy. And if I push temp over 350 °C it starts chirping a bit

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

Just a thought: I do have a second WECP-20 unit - could I just use the transformer from that and use them two in parallel? They would then share the load, methinks. Someone wiser, put a word

http://solderman.dapj.com/2005/09/tr...-parallel.html

[stj]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

that's risky,
if you get them out of phase they will burn-up or take your breaker/fuse out.
and if they arent 100% the same you will need a low value resistor on each output.

24v is hardly a rare voltage you know.
how many amps do you need?

[stj]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrica...2V-12V-88-3938
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrica...2V-12V-88-3947
http://www.rapidonline.com/Electrica...-0-12V-88-5198

i'd go with a toroid type - it took under a minute to find those.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

well, does that have 5V tap? Those amps should be the same, so parallel could cut it? Tho I'd need to make a new chassis for that combo ;D

[stj]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

no 5v tap.
no 5v on the original either i suspect, more like 7 or more to feed a regulator.

if yu u use a 12-0-12 output to get 24v and use the center-tap to feed a regulator you get 5v.

[DMCrimson]

Re: "Upgrading" a Weller WECP-20?

That might do it. But first I'll try that parallel configuration, If it fails, I do have another control board and a case to use with toroidal