First Lm3886

[PJPro]

Or indeed, this one from jaycar (uk). It even looks the same!

[Stuey]

PJ, if you're looking, I suggest a search on this forum. There have been quite a few threads on soldering stations over the last while.

I looked at Aoyue (which are supposed to be pretty good) and Hakko (the dog's bollocks) but ended up with a cheapy when a $99 (at the time) iron by a local vendor Altronics was reduced to $49 with three different tips. It does the job well.

http://www.altronics.com.au/index.as...=item&id=T2443

Stuey

[akis]

I bought the one from Maplin, special offer at 50 pounds, it is quite a beast, heats up in a few seconds, reaches something silly like 400C and I am generally very happy with it. Makes a quite hum when it is heating.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=218050

[Redshift187]

I picked up an analog Weller temperature controlled station for $100 recently. WAY better than the 60W Radio Shack POS I was using prior. The Radio Shack one is still good for larger tasks, like ground plane connections, as it has a much bigger tip.

[Stuey]

Originally Posted by akis

I....reaches something silly like 400C and I am generally very happy with it. Makes a quite hum when it is heating.
..

Like when Marty McFly switches on his guitar amp in Back to the Future?

[PJPro]

I abandoned this project last year because, err, I was having trouble wiring it together. The insultated crimp quick connectors just wouldn't connect adequately for my liking and I felt the hookup wire I was using was a bit pants.

I've resolved the hookup wire issue and bought some 19 strand 20AWG silver telfon wire for the power circuits and some 24AWG silver kapton wire for the signal circuits from Navships (John's Wire Shop) off ebay.

I now need to sort out some crimp quick connectors....and again I'm having difficulty so would be grateful for some advice. I'd like to be able to crimp and then solder the connectors (vibration isn't a problem so I am content that soldering is OK), so I need connectors which will allow the insulator to be removed and then replaced or connectors where the connector and the insulator is purchased separately. Anyone care to suggest some candidates? I'd be really grateful if you could post a link.

Incidentally, these quick connectors need to accept a tab size of 6.3 x 0.8 mm. I do need other sizes, but if I can find one make/model which is appropriate, I hope to be able to buy others within the same range to suit my needs. I don't care how much they cost or where I buy them from....they just need to be right.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[pacificblue]

Usually it is either crimp or solder.

6,3 mm rings AMP connectors which is now under the roof of Tyco Electronics. Should be available in most electronic stores and there is also a list of vendors on the homepage. They come in all forms isolated, non-isolated or with a movable isolation sleeve.

[PJPro]

Thanks for your reply....and I've taken a look at that link. But how on earth can I tell which have the movable isolation sleeves? I just can't see it and it doesn't appear to be an option which I can filter on. Apologies for my shocking ignorance.

[pacificblue]

You need to buy non-insulated receptacles and the separately available insulating sleeves. This source offers the sleeves as part no. 735529. They only have the receptacles 2,8 mm wide, though.

[mjf]

hello.
i often use heatshrink for isolating connectors.............
greets