Hey folks,
I bought a Pace ADS200 in February of this year. I use it for hobbiest level repair work. Last week, my tip I use most went open. I have used a hakko 935 for almost 20 years and have never had a heating cartridge go open. I've replaced tips due to oxidation, but never have I had a cartridge fail.
I wrote to pace worldwide to inquire what the expected life on their cartridges is and whether there might be a fault with my unit, 2.5 months of use did not seem acceptable. They have not bothered to reply. I went ahead and ordered more tips, but yesterday I had it blow one of the other tips open. This one had barely any use, maybe 2-3 hours over the last two months.
I'm wondering what kind of life the rest of you are getting out of the cartridges? I really think there may be an issue with my unit. Fwiw, I never use a sponge, I know it's harder on plating, but I use the brass wool. The point is, these types are not seeing repeated thermal shock.
Thanks,
Jason