On 23 Aug 2005 13:13:52 -0700 "danmc91" wrote:
I have a Weller soldering station. It is a model EC2002M-O Power
Unit and EC1302A pencil. I am trying to obtain some service
information. Anyone know if the service manual available somewhere? I
suspect
that the heating element and/or thermal sensor in the EC1302A are
bad but before I start ordering replacement parts, I want to test
it a bit more.
I picked up a "free" 2002 a few years ago, thinking that it looked
nice and the price was right. Well, when I got it home I found that
the control board in it was dead, so we bought a new board for ~$80.
That fixed it up nicely, and we used it occasionally for about 3
years, then it stopped controlling. The temp sensor had gone open;
that cost ~$50, IIRC.
I've always used the Weller WTCPx models, and those have been ultra
reliable for me for years. I bought one nearly 30 years ago and I JUST
had to replace the heater. Other than the sponge, that's the very
first thing to go wrong.
The 2002 SEEMED like a nice unit, but it's complex inside and
complexity detracts from reliability. The WTCPx models are super
simple and it shows in their long term reliability.
In all honesty, I recommend that you discard your 2002 and go to ebay
and buy a used WTCPx for ~$35. Even if it comes with problems, you can
fix it up and still have less invested in it than in repairing your
2002. Plus you get better reliability.
The WTCPx irons are temp controlled: The temp is controlled by the tip
so you change the tip to change the temp. I've NEVER even wanted
anything other than the standard 700F tip (marked with a 7 on the
back.) You can get 600, 700, and 800F tips. They are cheap.
I have one recommendation on a fix you should perform on any WTCPx
that you buy: Open up the case, take the output connector apart, and
SOLDER the wires to the connector sockets. Reassemble. If you do that,
it will treat you right, and you'll come to love this iron
Note: The early WTCPx irons have a one-piece power unit/iron stand,
while the later ones come as separate units, like your 2002. I like
the early, simpler version, but you may prefer the smaller, separate
stand. Buy the style you prefer.
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Jim Adney
Madison, WI 53711 USA
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