Why has my soldering iron stopped working?
If your soldering iron isn’t producing any heat, it is likely because of a break in the electrical circuit, resulting from either a faulty connection in the iron or heating element failure. If all electrical connections were good but you registered no continuity, your heating element will need to be replaced.
Why is my soldering not sticking?
A classic reason solder won’t stick to something is because you’re not getting it hot enough. My interns come to me with this problem all the time. Make sure the tip of the iron is nice and shiny. Touch some solder on it, and it should melt almost instantly.
How do you replace a soldering iron element?
DISASSEMBLY – We will start by disassembling the iron. Loosen the retaining nut and slide off the heat shield. Remove the tip and tip platform (metal flanged piece). Loosen and remove the plastic nut / For Type #2 handles like the B016 loosen and remove the handle grip.
How do you troubleshoot a soldering iron?
If the solder refuses to flow the way you want it to:
- Stop and let the joint cool.
- Clean and tin your iron.
- Clean off any burnt flux from the joint.
- Let the iron come back up to temperature.
- Then reheat the joint and try again.
How do I test my soldering iron heating element?
The first operation should be to verify that the heating element is indeed burned out. The resistance of the heating element should measure between 19 and 23 ohms. A reading of several thousand ohms or more would be indicative of a burned out heating element.
Why is the tip of my soldering iron black?
Most tips consist of a copper base material, plated with iron to prevent erosion. Iron, however, tends to oxidize rapidly. When oxidation occurs, the tip becomes covered with a black or brown scale, which will not wet with solder – greatly reducing heat transfer. This is commonly known as “burn-out”.
Does solder stick without flux?
Yes, solder can be used without flux. To do so, you will need something other than flux to break down the oxides on the metal surface, without which your surface may be damaged or not properly cleaned.
How do I test my soldering iron element?
A reading of several thousand ohms or more would be indicative of a burned out heating element. On the 1A soldering station the heating element is connected between pins 1 and 2 on the soldering iron receptacle. If the resistance measures correctly, the temperature sensor should then be measured.
How much is a soldering iron?
We found that you can expect to pay $25 to $60 to get all the necessary soldering iron features, and you can pay a bit more for an iron that heats up faster and holds its temperature more reliably.