"Jim Adney" wrote in message
...
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.


EC259B Heater Assy
EC222A Sensor Assembly

With a VOM you can measure the DC resistance of the heater and
thermocouple/temp sensor. Parts are available from Action Electronics
through their Internet ordering web page
http://www.action-electronics.com/weller.htm

Within the past 2 weeks - temperature sensors and heaters for the 13xx
series handpieces (soldering irons) have sold on eBay for very reasonable
prices !
===
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.

Jim - Yes I advise most electronics hobbyists to stick with the WTCPx
series. The Weller "EC" series was officially discontinued in 2002 (about
the same time North Carolina mfg. operations were shut down and moved to
Mexico).
===
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.

It is a TRIAC and a small processor for temperature measure from sensor,
front dial setting and digital temperature readout for the 2002 series.
Yes - it is complex and NOT readily repairable by many DIY - just some you
can have an adjustable knob that is rarely used. The beginners mistake in
soldering with these units is to change the temperature (via the idiot
knob) - rather than correctly selecting the tip PROFILE (screwdriver,
conical, flat,etc.) and WIDTH (1/32"; 3/64"; 1/16"; 3/32"; 5/64"; 1/8").

In fact, no one ever mentions that these units actually have to be
CALIBRATED on a regular basis - to assure that the dial/readout is correct
for the temperature desired.

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

Jim - are you saving that some units you have seen were not properly
soldered?
I have never seen this (and I have been repairing the WTCPx series for 30
years now). The 2 parts that need replaced on WTCPx series that are bad:
EC234/TC208 heater and 3 amp fuse inside the base unit.

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.

Weller had 4 major styles (designs) for the WTCPx soldering station series.

Original TCP1/PU-1; W-TCP; WTCP-L
WTCPK (Special metal box made for the military under gov't contract)
WTCPN; WTCPR; WTCPZ
WTCPS; WTCPT

I still repair these and have a supply on NOS parts that are no longer
available from Weller for this series.

Greg