I spent a Saturday at a very nice modelling day in Bristol except that, when I came to plug my iron in (Antex 600TC), it didn't work!
I made a trip to Antex in Plymouth today where they kindly diagnosed and remedied the problem. The sensor had failed in the iron which meant either a new iron or new element. I went for the former, the old one being nearly 20 years old. However, on checking the base unit, the iron tip temperature was found to be about 35oC cooler the 375oC set on the dial, around 10% cooler. The base unit has now been recalibrated (not difficult - a 'turn of the screw') but I will now have to be careful, especially when soldering white metal.
How the average modeller can check the accuracy of their unit without specialist help or equipment I don't know, but if one does have to change one's iron/TC unit, then it is worth bearing in mind the old one may not have been accurate and erring on the side of caution until one has tried the iron out properly.
I made a trip to Antex in Plymouth today where they kindly diagnosed and remedied the problem. The sensor had failed in the iron which meant either a new iron or new element. I went for the former, the old one being nearly 20 years old. However, on checking the base unit, the iron tip temperature was found to be about 35oC cooler the 375oC set on the dial, around 10% cooler. The base unit has now been recalibrated (not difficult - a 'turn of the screw') but I will now have to be careful, especially when soldering white metal.
How the average modeller can check the accuracy of their unit without specialist help or equipment I don't know, but if one does have to change one's iron/TC unit, then it is worth bearing in mind the old one may not have been accurate and erring on the side of caution until one has tried the iron out properly.
