Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?
1 If English isn't your first language, good for you.
2 If one insist on perfect grammar and punctuation, they should also practice it... native first language or not....
woodscroller
Member
Last Activity: 12-02-2013, 10:53 AM
Joined: 07-27-2013
Location: Pelahatchie, MS
-
Re: Soldering Station upgrade, what to look for?
Well, I'm back! Whether or not I was missed, matters not!!!
At any rate, can we revisit the topic of soldering stations? I'm ready to buy one, more than just an iron but, not cost more than the gold that used to be at Fort Knox.
That Hakko looked good but, IIRC, I've seen somethings that looked a little more traditional, even had hot air, for about half of the Hakko's
Any further suggestions or recommendations?
$$ - 50-100 bucks 'should' be suffecient - no?
...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
To update, my Seasonic came in today and I'm just now getting my old beloved system back up and running.
Soon, I'll update this thread with the caps from the old PSU and work on getting it back online!
Thanks for all the help so far, folks!Leave a comment:
-
Re: Desoldering Braid: Tip - Trick
Ah. I'll have to look up the MSDS for this flux I used. IIRC, I have some liquid flux, somewhere... in the blackhole of my shop.
Will certainly look into better flux alternatives and solder too.Leave a comment:
-
Re: Desoldering Braid: Tip - Trick
OHHH! I didn't know that - Thank you!
In this case though, as soon as I got the wires of my power supply, it took a bath with my homemade cleaner, rinsed with super hot water and blown with the compressor... followed by a sun-tanning session.
Curious though, what is it with the 'plumbing' flux that's different? Or, is it that even flux-core solder would do the same?...Leave a comment:
-
Re: Desoldering Braid: Tip - Trick
The extra information is certainly appreciated! The extent of my electronics experience comes from modding IDM's for Power Strokes. That's when I bought my cheapo iron (25W), braid and 60/40 .032" solder from... you guessed it, RadioShack!
Did notice the PSU PCB was one sided but, the combination of the braid not being pre-fluxed and the low wattage iron seemed reasonable to be primary contributing factors of the problem. Of course, the lack of experience has nothing at all to do with it!!!
The flux addtion took care of that...
Leave a comment:
-
Desoldering Braid: Tip - Trick
This may be posted already, so, forgive me if it's a repeat.
If you find that your desoldering braid isn't as effective as you'd like, [U]apply a[COLOR="Red"] little [/COLOR]flux to the braid/wick[/U]. It'll really suck!
The result for me was super clean holes and no need to chase or procure a stainless dental pick or needle the right size.
I used what was on hand which is just some RectorSeal paste flux commonly found in the plumbing section at your local hardware store for sweating copper pipe.This may be posted already, so, forgive -
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Thanks for confirmation...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Under normal conditions, that'd work. But, this thing is in serious need of a clean up. Being a smoker and all. Pics a little blurry from my old digi-cam but should show how bad it is....Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Well, spent some time practicing removing caps. Didn't do so well at first but the second round was better after letting the cheapo radioshack iron heat up >10 minutes. Tomorrow, I'll attempt putting some of the removed caps back... for practice sake. Did look around for a soldering station and found a Weller WLC100 may be a viable option... any thoughts on it?
On the PSU itself though, how the heck does one get the PCB out of the case? The wires that are soldered to the switch and plug recpetacle. It looks like the easiest route...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
It's a CYA thing, no doubt. Too, it could also be to keep the system more efficient [think: green]?
Some things learnt in the last few days of scouring the web are:
1- Make sure the PSU provides more power on the +12V rail, than on the +3.3v and/or +5V rails.
2- Ideally, buy a PSU that delivers more (actual) power than your system requires. Not rated power but, real world, tested power. see #3. [1]
3- A PSU's efficency is not optimal at full power but somewhere between 30-60%...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Steer away, my friend. Willing to take all advice/wisdom from seasoned people like yourself... any time!
The original system specs are:
Will likely test the original motherboad when the new PSU comes in but it'll be replaced until I'm ready to recap it. The replacement board is a [URL="http://www.asrock.com/mb/AMD/A785GM-LE128M/"]A785GM-LE 785G AM3 R[/URL]. So, the new specs will be:
Didn't really doubt the numbers given from the calculators since the specs...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
IIRC, this duration is measured in seconds/minutes, yes? Should I double check something with my volt meter? It's not been connected to power for over 24 hours now and I'll likely not clean it until Friday/Saturday.
I'd stumbled upon Topcats post "Attn Smokers" and read some folks warning of the transformers getting wet and damage ensuing. Perhaps more was read into it than exist in reality.
[I]edited - Just read through that thread again (using CTRL+F 'power supply') and see Topcat repeat what you said about not...Last edited by woodscroller; 07-31-2013, 09:50 PM.Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Just pulled the trigger on a [URL="http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151094"]SeaSonic S12II[/URL]. More money than I wanted to spend but, if nothing has been learnt through my reading threads here and reviews at hardware secrets, it's that you best pony up to the bar when it comes to PSU's.
I vow to steer this thread back on-topic soon by pulling the pcb out of my thermaltake and inventory the components and put up some pics too. Speaking of which, I must confess something. The problems I had may have...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Grateful for all you've elaborated on, Momaka!
My trip to the repair shop (thank goodness I was coming into town already), turned out to be a dud. Within minutes of my walking into the shop, the (I presume) owner starts volunteering how they don't sell stolen stuff and bragging that he's a certified dell repair center... blah blah. My intuition meter was on high alert.
So, my immediate course of action is to research decent power supplies that'll not break the bank. Don't want to continue testing my fellow LUG members...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
OK, the Su-scon's aren't the one you're talking about. The one pointed to in my image is a teapo, 10uf, 50V. Other writing I can read are 'A3', 'T2' (these two are on the same row/line), and '0407' - I'm better with imperial measurements but if I had to guess, this one is 8.5mm. if you were to take 3-4 #2 pencil leads held together, that'd be about the size. Will dig around the web for a printable mm ruler, print it and glue it to an old mini-blind slat.
Bare with me on this, I'll need/want to take the PCB out without destroying...Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
A follow-up to my last post. Rereading momaka's reply, they mention specs for the 'self-oscilating 5VSB' of...
Looked back at one of my other post (#3) and I give these details...
Now, I'm not certain of getting the brand name (suscon) correct, but, those values posted, I can make out much better than the brand name.
The image I show above, they are not visible in it. They are located between the heatsink (bottom of image) and the larger of the two transformers this PSU has in it....Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
My apologies for not following up yesterday. Didn't finish the job and wound up staying over-night since it was out of town work. Also, the batteries in my camera are dead but, I snagged one from hardware secrets review and drew a green arrow to the one I think you're referring to.
I did however, check the voltage on pin #9. It starts around 6.14V and begins to decline. After +/- 90 seconds, it dropped to 5.72V and acted as if it would continue to drop... only slower.
Image attached but, here's a link to the review page...Last edited by woodscroller; 07-30-2013, 03:46 PM.Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
Was about to retire for the evening but wanted to respond before doing so.
I appreciate the information, Momaka. No need to dig out your machine - though the thought is certainly appreciated!
Will post back tomorrow for sure and I'll post pictures after work. Will also try to find a schematic and/or locate this critical cap you mention...
To clarify, by 5VSB, do you mean at the motherboard connector or inside the PSU itself?
Again, thanks for the additional information!
~Namaste...Last edited by woodscroller; 07-28-2013, 08:26 PM.Leave a comment:
-
Re: TR2-430NP Problem or normal?
1- The power supply in question is a Thermaltake TR2-430W (TR2-430NP) and in service since October of '07. Most of the Aluminum caps are marked TEAPO (most are green with a brownish stripe, a few are maroon/burgandy with a gray stripe. [B]The two I mentioned in the OP, I can't make out a brand/rating at all. These two are black with a blue stripe, the vent are a + pattern.[/B] The light-blue ceramic caps, I'm unable to see any markings on them at all. Sorry but, my hearing is better than my vision. FWIW, there are two 600uf x 200V capXcon's also....Leave a comment:
No activity results to display
Leave a comment: