Weller Soldering Iron Cable

[Citroënbender]

I’ve had my Weller soldering station since 1985, yesterday it was no longer working. The reason? A wire in the “silicone” rubber cord from transformer to iron, had fatigued and snapped through.

It’s not possible to pare back the sheathing and remake the end connections, as the inner insulation is digesting itself - a form of chemical rot.

So I really need to replace the cable. I’ve not been around enough Weller soldering stations to know if they all used the same three pin connector, or if they varied. (I do know they changed the pin assignment about 25 years back.)

It’s a really supple three conductor cord of about 6mm outside diameter.

Has anyone here, knowledge of whether (or if so, when) the connector plug physically changed - and what units interchange?

Else, suggestions on where I might buy a suitable and very flexible cable of original diameter, to carry 50W dependably.

[Captain Stubing]

I bought my Weller soldering station back in 1985, but couldn't find a new element for the iron. I've gone through two Jaycar stocked stations since, both are now deceased.

I see you can still buy Weller parts though, here's one listing for the cable:

https://au.element14.com/weller/

[aussiblue]

This https://au.element14.com/weller/5320...cp-s/dp/804186 ?

[Citroënbender]

Thank you both - I’m just not sure if the transformer end is a compatible connector, and with freight it’s potentially a $55 guess.

Reassigning the pins in the base station wouldn’t be too hard - else I could recycle my original cord plug.

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

Thank you both - I’m just not sure if the transformer end is a compatible connector, and with freight it’s potentially a $55 guess.

Reassigning the pins in the base station wouldn’t be too hard.

Aliexpress might have it cheaper. reassigning wire in the hot end might be easier, too.

[Itsme]

Radioparts in Melbourne was well known for Weller parts, worth a look.

[ford71V8]

I think you are correct, the black plastic connector "keyway" changed, one was a halfturn and the other was a few full turns thread.
I also used Hako a lot so may have my wires crossed there but I recall finding some early unused irons that didnt fit the new Weller units.

[Citroënbender]

Yes, that’s what I suspected. Mine is a bayonet type at the base station - push in and a quarter turn to lock.

[Citroënbender]

One of the sellers of 5-conductor silicone rubber sheathed cables for temperature controlled irons reckons their raw cable will be suitable with just a trim to the unwanted wires. Under $20 to me, worth a punt.

Have been making do with a $12.95 Ozito iron, I refuse to risk a butane one inside cars.

[aussiblue]

I've moved to using a relatively cheap pencil type USB rechargeable solder iron for in cabin car soldering; this one in fact: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product...?ie=UTF8&psc=1 being able to screw the cap back on when not in use increases safety and there is no cord to get in the way. I have had no issues with it so far and it's done everything I needed. Inspired by how well it worked I also bought one of these temperature controlled ones for just a few dollars more but I have not used it yet,


I was tempted to try one after seeing some of David Jone's EEVblog videos:

e.g. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOa783WeDPU
m/watch?v=FOa783WeDPU

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

One of the sellers of 5-conductor silicone rubber sheathed cables for temperature controlled irons reckons their raw cable will be suitable with just a trim to the unwanted wires. Under $20 to me, worth a punt.

Have been making do with a $12.95 Ozito iron, I refuse to risk a butane one inside cars.

The one big job I did with a butane iron was in the back of a hot station wagon, a week of pulling the looms in to the back of the car and working in there. Was in a very hot dry barren area (Woomera) with no power hence the butane. Not ideal conditions but it got the job done.

[Citroënbender]

You’d remember that for all the wrong reasons. Hope it paid decently.

[ford71V8]

Originally Posted by Citroënbender

You’d remember that for all the wrong reasons. Hope it paid decently.

Was an adventure and challenge thats for sure, I was OK to deal with that for a week, but any longer would have been too much

[aussiblue]

Inspired by this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ia0C_X0ycFE&t=82s I also bought one of these too https://www.amazon.com.au/Nurdo-Inte...%2C282&sr=8-19 but I have not used it yet.

[aussiblue]

I tried the new one today disappointingly this one https://www.amazon.com.au/Nurdo-Inte...%2C282&sr=8-19 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U56baCDtDrg is not cordless and needs to be plugged into a USB power supply to work. Faced palmed myself after waiting a couple of hours for it to charge.