Pace ADS200 soldering station

[PACE-Worldwide]

Notice to All:

By now, many of you have seen Dave's latest soldering station related video: EEVBlog #1160 - Weller Responds! concerning the safety of the Weller 1010.

I just wanted you to know that the fuse in the back of the ADS200 is in the primary side of the transformer for safety. On all of our products, we have always had a fuse (or circuit breaker) as the first items on the Mains. Since the Weller 1010 is more of a budget station, I suspect they probably omitted the fuse as a cost-cutting measure. If you look at the ADS200 back panel image attached, you'll note PACE even supplies an extra fuse (not that you'll ever need to use it)!

Aaron

[The3DE]

Does anyone know how the ADS200 compares to the Hakko FX-951, with both being around the same price? I'm mostly concerned with performance.

[floobydust]

Notice to All:

By now, many of you have seen Dave's latest soldering station related video: EEVBlog #1160 - Weller Responds! concerning the safety of the Weller 1010.

I just wanted you to know that the fuse in the back of the ADS200 is in the primary side of the transformer for safety. On all of our products, we have always had a fuse (or circuit breaker) as the first items on the Mains. Since the Weller 1010 is more of a budget station, I suspect they probably omitted the fuse as a cost-cutting measure. If you look at the ADS200 back panel image attached, you'll note PACE even supplies an extra fuse (not that you'll ever need to use it)!

Aaron

Can you comment on what safety approvals the station actually has. I don't see anything mentioned in the documentation/website about agency approvals or a certification label on the product. Nice to mention ESD standards though.
I could not find Pace soldering stations listed in the UL on-line certifications database.

I look to ensure a product is not "designed to" or "meets requirements of" but has instead has been assessed by an accredited agency when it comes to safety.

[PACE-Worldwide]

Notice to All:

By now, many of you have seen Dave's latest soldering station related video: EEVBlog #1160 - Weller Responds! concerning the safety of the Weller 1010.

I just wanted you to know that the fuse in the back of the ADS200 is in the primary side of the transformer for safety. On all of our products, we have always had a fuse (or circuit breaker) as the first items on the Mains. Since the Weller 1010 is more of a budget station, I suspect they probably omitted the fuse as a cost-cutting measure. If you look at the ADS200 back panel image attached, you'll note PACE even supplies an extra fuse (not that you'll ever need to use it)!

Aaron

Can you comment on what safety approvals the station actually has. I don't see anything mentioned in the documentation/website about agency approvals or a certification label on the product. Nice to mention ESD standards though.
I could not find Pace soldering stations listed in the UL on-line certifications database.

I look to ensure a product is not "designed to" or "meets requirements of" but has instead has been assessed by an accredited agency when it comes to safety.

All of our Soldering Stations are CSA/CE approved, which is equivalent to UL approval.

Aaron

[Cliff Matthews]

Adding an ISB micro-switch is not so easy unless Pace wants to sell these little stainless plates (with threaded holes). As I am always curious, I just had to "take-a-gander" with calipers ready. Here's an idea of what I'm 100% sure no-one will want to fabricate:  SS 0.75 mm THICK (If this thing was Asian crap, soft metal would be used..)

MICRO-SWITCH: 1.6 mm HOLES x2 at 6.0 mm SPACING
Red Lines in mm on 2 attached pics:
A - 4.6
B - 7.7
C - 25.1
D - 24.3
E - 20.7
F - 4.0
G - 13.3
H - 3.0
I - 20.0
J - 3.8
K - 17.6
L - 2.4
M - 7.9
N - 6.6
O - 19.5
P - 6.0
Q - 9.0
R - 18.9
S - 9.1
Still don't know why I posted this, but obviously I had time without chestnuts roasting by an open fire..   

[Shock]

Does anyone know how the ADS200 compares to the Hakko FX-951, with both being around the same price? I'm mostly concerned with performance.

I don't think there is anything the Hakko FX-951 does better. The Pace ADS 200 is built from more expensive materials (metal rather than plastic), higher power, more accurate and faster heating, requires no calibration, has an easier interface and clearer display. The Paces iron aside from being aluminum is shorter and doesn't require padding to dissipate heat, or expensive plastic tip holders.

[nimish]

I need a new soldering station and I'm considering the ads200 since I had a good experience with a second hand pace (clearly beaten up but worked like a champ) but i'd like the ability to swap it to 230V if I ever move to a different country -- is there some way of getting this one serviced if I ever need to change the voltage? (Maybe swap out the transformer?)

I really wonder why there's no built in switch. Would it really have cost a lot more?

[nimish]

Hell, this is EEVBlog forums: anyone know the specs on the transformer? I can buy a DPDT 110/240V switch for like $5 and can probably find dual-primary transformers if the secondary is a standard voltage like 24VAC.

[labjr]

Hell, this is EEVBlog forums: anyone know the specs on the transformer? I can buy a DPDT 110/240V switch for like $5 and can probably find dual-primary transformers if the secondary is a standard voltage like 24VAC.

Probably easier to use a step-down transformer.

[helius]

As much as I prefer devices that you don't have to buy over again when moving from the US to Europe or back, there may be components besides the transformer that are specialized for each region in a modern soldering station. The control loop needs to run every AC half-cycle, and it may need different coefficients for 100 Hz and 120 Hz, so this would mean a different ROM.

[nimish]

Hell, this is EEVBlog forums: anyone know the specs on the transformer? I can buy a DPDT 110/240V switch for like $5 and can probably find dual-primary transformers if the secondary is a standard voltage like 24VAC.

Probably easier to use a step-down transformer.

No fun in that

Also a good safe step down transformer is more expensive than a new soldering iron

The engineer in me bristles at having two transformers when a switch could do the job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[labjr]

No fun in that

Also a good safe step down transformer is more expensive than a new soldering iron

The engineer in me bristles at having two transformers when a switch could do the job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Voltage converter transformers are a dime a dozen on ebay. You can get a 2,000 watt one on eBay for $55 and use it for other 120V equipment too. Doesn't have to be anything special. It's a transformer for gosh sakes!

I suppose could add another primary winding or unwind some of the secondary.

[Cliff Matthews]

Hell, this is EEVBlog forums: anyone know the specs on the transformer? I can buy a DPDT 110/240V switch for like $5 and can probably find dual-primary transformers if the secondary is a standard voltage like 24VAC.

You can find a bit more about the transformer in this thread here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/my-first-pace-ads200-victim/msg1700660/#msg1700660

There is enough space to fit a ~90VA transformer inside (120va is not required since Pace only uses full power sporadically)

[labjr]

You can find a bit more about the transformer in this thread here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/my-first-pace-ads200-victim/msg1700660/#msg1700660

There is enough space to fit a ~90VA transformer inside (120va is not required since Pace only uses full power sporadically)

So one could wind a new secondary and leave the existing secondary disconnected?

[nimish]

No fun in that

Also a good safe step down transformer is more expensive than a new soldering iron

The engineer in me bristles at having two transformers when a switch could do the job


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Voltage converter transformers are a dime a dozen on ebay. You can get a 2,000 watt one on eBay for $55 and use it for other 120V equipment too. Doesn't have to be anything special. It's a transformer for gosh sakes!

I suppose could add another primary winding or unwind some of the secondary.

If I'm going to do this I'm going to do this truly hackish way. Also I don't trust those shitbox ebay transformers, especially not with mains electricity on the line. I don't trust myself either, but I'm reckless.

[2N3055]

Looking at the teardown videos, 230V station seems to have windings in series. It might be dual voltage trafo, just no switch.

[nimish]

Looking at the teardown videos, 230V station seems to have windings in series. It might be dual voltage trafo, just no switch.

Interesting. Would be cool if a Pace employee could confirm -- I'm happy to make a little mod inside.

Hell, this is EEVBlog forums: anyone know the specs on the transformer? I can buy a DPDT 110/240V switch for like $5 and can probably find dual-primary transformers if the secondary is a standard voltage like 24VAC.

You can find a bit more about the transformer in this thread here:
https://www.eevblog.com/forum/manufacture/my-first-pace-ads200-victim/msg1700660/#msg1700660

There is enough space to fit a ~90VA transformer inside (120va is not required since Pace only uses full power sporadically)

Nice, this is very helpful. i was looking at 120-160VA toroids and they are like $60 which is expensive but not new soldering iron expensive.

Maybe I missed it but what does it output on the secondary? 12VAC?

As much as I prefer devices that you don't have to buy over again when moving from the US to Europe or back, there may be components besides the transformer that are specialized for each region in a modern soldering station. The control loop needs to run every AC half-cycle, and it may need different coefficients for 100 Hz and 120 Hz, so this would mean a different ROM.

Yeah this would be the bad case, but I question what engineer would not simply abstract this and simply deal with zero-crossing points (I'm assuming some kind of triac control into the iron?) You already have to deal with whatever grid instability there is anyway.

[2N3055]

It is simple 24V transformer, albeit of good quality.

[nimish]

It is simple 24V transformer, albeit of good quality.

Awesome. I think I can cram a https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Triad-Magnetics/VPT24-4170?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvwUzoUXIIvyTw34uqMHR%252buIg1%2f%2fV2UEN4%3d

and then drill some holes for the DPDT slide switch.

[labjr]

It may be easier to mount a square transformer like a Hammond 185F24

https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Hammond-Manufacturing/185F24-BULK?qs=jVNfTZ92j2tcQKKtg76oOQ%3D%3D

[2N3055]

E/I transformers with separated bobbins have higher class insulation.
They are prefered for this kind of use. Trafo that labjr mentioned looks really good for this.

[Cliff Matthews]

It is simple 24V transformer, albeit of good quality.

Awesome. I think I can cram a https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Triad-Magnetics/VPT24-4170?qs=sGAEpiMZZMvwUzoUXIIvyTw34uqMHR%252buIg1%2f%2fV2UEN4%3d

and then drill some holes for the DPDT slide switch.

Be aware that putting that 4.1 amp toroidal transformer into the case,  may cause an increase of ~2 volts AC and present up to 40 volts DC at the regulator (max allowable) and likely require a larger heat sink.. To avoid cooking the regulator with your new transformer (and maybe the whole PCB), drop the input to the regulator by 5 to 10 volts. You could do it easy with a series string of 1N400x diodes or a 7805 and a 10 ohm 2-watt resistor in current limiter configuration.

The default Pace transformer presents 33v to the regulator (at 120vac line) and almost 35v (at max 126vac line). Too close for comfort.. There's plenty of room for a larger heat sink (see attached pic)

[labjr]

I'm surprised someone has not yet made a fancy drop-in control board for the ADS200?

[floobydust]

Where is the firmware history for the ADS-200?
This fellow upgrades from 1.2 to 1.3 to stop temperature display readings from wandering around.
It's a socketed PLCC MCU swap.

[Bud]

I bought mine from Accessotronics (Ottawa) 3 weeks ago and it came with v1.4