++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Wed, 06 Jun 2001 18:25:17 -0500 From: "George, W5YR" Subject: [Elecraft] WTCPT - One More Time Well, RadioShack.com finally came through and a brand new $89.99 Weller WTCPT soldering station is installed on the W5YR workbench with several kits piled up and waiting to "melt solder!' Thanks to all who recommended this piece of equipment and who advised on its availability, etc. One additional question: the iron comes equipped with the PTA7 tip. Is this the recommended tip to use for K2 assembly? I seem to recall reading on one of the Elecraft listings of a different tip. - -- 72/73, George W5YR - the Yellow Rose of Texas QRP-L 1373 NETXQRP 6 Fairview, TX 30 mi NE of Dallas in Collin county EM13qe Amateur Radio W5YR, in the 55th year and it just keeps getting better! Icom IC-756PRO #02121 Kachina #91900556 IC-765 #02437 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 7 Jun 2001 07:55:02 -0500 From: "Andy Anderson" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] WTCPT - One More Time You will find it a bit large for some of the work. Try a 1/32" screwdriver, 700 deg tip. That is Mouser # 578-PTH7. Andy W5VCJ - ----- Original Message ----- From: "George, W5YR" To: ; Sent: Wednesday, June 06, 2001 6:25 PM Subject: [Elecraft] WTCPT - One More Time > Well, RadioShack.com finally came through and a brand new $89.99 Weller > WTCPT soldering station is installed on the W5YR workbench with several > kits piled up and waiting to "melt solder!' ---snip ---- ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Date: Thu, 07 Jun 2001 08:17:25 -0600 From: Larry East Subject: Re: [Elecraft] WTCPT - One More Time At 06:25 PM 6/6/01 -0500, George, W5YR wrote: >One additional question: the iron comes equipped with the PTA7 tip. Is this >the recommended tip to use for K2 assembly? I seem to recall reading on one >of the Elecraft listings of a different tip. My favorite tips are the PTR7 and PTR8. The 800 deg. tip is my preference but you have to be careful not to overheat the pads. The 700 deg. tip is probably better for desoldering. Not sure if RS carries these tips; I get mine from Mouser. 72/73, Larry W1HUE/7 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ From: "Don Brown" To: "Elecraft" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT Weller WCPT problems Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 12:24:28 -0500 The base of the WTCP has a 24 volt transformer a switch, light and I thin= k there is a thermal fuse. Unplug the iron and check the heater with an o= hm meter. It should measure about 12 ohms. Remove the tip and it should m= easure open circuit. This checks out the iron and the temperature regulat= or. Measure the power out of the base it should be about 24 volts AC. If = the base is bad and its is not an internal fuse or switch (bad transforme= r) then you can buy a 24 volt 2 amp transformer at Radio Shack, mount it = in a box and power the iron with it. I changed the connector on the iron = to a 3 pin DIN connector or you could remove the connector in the old bas= e unit. I have a WTCP iron set up like this and I have used it several ye= ars before I got a WES-50. The WCTP iron does not have any electronics, i= t is all electro-mechanical so it is easy to troubleshoot. If the heater = is bad you can order the assembly from Weller or look for one at a swap m= eet Don Brown KD5NDB ----- Original Message ----- From: Ken Knecht Sent: Friday, September 20, 2002 11:29 AM To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: [Elecraft] OT Weller WCPT problems This morning my Weller WCPT wouldn't work. Barely used except to build th= e =20 K2 and some accessories. Last used probably about a year ago. The light =20 behind the on/off switch (there is one, right?) doesn't come on and the =20 iron doesn't get hot. The AC outlet powering it is ok. It appears the four rubber feet on the controller base cover the screws =20 that let one get inside it. Before I do that, anyone have any suggestions= =20 of something obvious I didn't think of? TIA 72, Ken W9NPP +++++++++++++++ From: "Russell Boutell" To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT Weller WCPT problems Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 08:33:50 -1000 Hello, The trouble I have had is a layer of oxidation on the tip connection to the wand, so you might try cleaning that area a bit. Russ W9EL S/N 2821 (Slowly building and some with higher S/N's are done!) ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Fri, 20 Sep 2002 14:33:13 -0500 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: "Timothy A. Raymer" Subject: Re: [Elecraft] OT Weller WCPT problems Ken and I have been corresponding off-forum. He is pretty sure his power switch is bad. Tim Raymer ++++++++++++++++++ To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 09:21:21 -0500 From: Jeremiah J McCarthy Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Elecraft digest, Vol 1 #282 - 31 msgs I have an older WCPT solder station, about 15 years old, but it is still the same as the newest ones, the only difference being that the pencil holder and the sponge tray are not separate, they are part of the main unit...The four rubber feet on the bottom are mushroom shaped plugs that pull straight out...Four Phillips screws under the feet hold the unit together...In my unit, there is no fuse in the primary circuit, but there is a 3 amp fuse in the secondary circuit, namely, the heater output to the pencil...If the pilot light in the switch doesn't light, the problem is in the primary circuit because the light will go on even if the pencil isn't plugged in...Of course it is possible you have 2 problems, the fuse in the secondary is blown and the lamp in the switch is burned out, but I kind of doubt it...I suspect the switch... Jerry McCarthy, wa2dkg ++++++++++++++++++ Date: Sat, 21 Sep 2002 09:39:15 -0700 To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net From: Ken Knecht Subject: [Elecraft] OT Weller problem fixed If you're following this saga, the problem turned out to be a bad power switch. Thanks for all your helpful suggestions. Ken W9NPP ++++++++++++++++++ From: gregory.beat at attbi.com To: elecraft at mailman.qth.net Cc: k2tf at yahoo.com Date: Wed, 28 May 2003 02:20:24 +0000 Subject: [Elecraft] Re: Solder Station Tim - Solder stations are very much a personal choice of preferences and experience, but both choices are current production Weller stations. A bit of background/history: The WTCPT station is the current production of Weller TCP series. This solder station series has been produced for over 40 years and is the second oldest product in continuous production (the Weller soldering gun is the oldest, circa 1946). The TCP is easy to repair and troubleshoot. The TCP irons use specific tips (PT series) to determine the temperature (600, 700, 800) and tip profile (conical, screwdriver, conical flat) desired. The temperature "sensor" and power switch is the SW60 switch and PT tip combination. The Power Unit (PU base) is basically a 24-volt AC supply containing the transformer, switch and solder iron jack. [I have been repairing this series since 1975] The WES51 is the latest model of the earlier WES50 solder station. The Weller Electronic Station (WES) model is based on the earlier Electronic Control "EC" series. This long running series was the first usage of solid state semiconductors to regulate the tip temperature. In this series the intelligence is in the base - with the iron serving only as a temperature sensor and tip holder. The major differences: WES51 allows you to adjust the temperature through a wide range with a specific tip. The WES51 standard iron is also a slim profile - which is desied by some people. A magnetic wand is enclosed so that you can "lock" the temperature at the base - so that you do not accidentally change your tip temeprature. WTCPT has 3 standard temperatures for the tips (600, 700, 800). Other temparatures have to be special ordered from Weller (These appear on eBay from time to time). The temperature is selected when you select your specific tip. This is why you find these irons used in production operations (the operator does not accidentally change the soldering temperature) I find that 90% of all of my soldering can be performed with 700 degree tips. WTCPT systems are found "on sale" (around $90) 2 or 3 times each year (end of year, spring, late summer). Wassco just finished a sale May 15th. You can also find excellent used WTCP stations for about 1/2 price of new. WES51 will likley not be on sale, until the WES50 current inventories at distributors are depleted. Greg, w9gb ++++++++++++++++++