ASE-1203 Inductive Soldering Station

Aktakom ASE-1203 soldering station is designed to assemble electronic components. The soldering station contains two blocks with inductive soldering irons used for lead-free soldering. The model is equipped with a digital temperature sensor and supports quick and convenient digital calibration which is protected with the password. ASE-1203 quickly reaches the specified temperature and supports it with high precision.

Features

• Possibility to use 2 soldering irons separately
• Temperature sensor is located close to the soldering tip (temperature support precision)
• Quick recovery of temperature mode
• Hold mode of tip temperature to better the soldering quality
• LCD to display the temperature
• Auto sleep mode, energy saving mode

Technical specifications

Parameters	Values
Consumed power	90 W × 2
Temperature range	176…869°F / 80...480°C
Temperature stability	±2°C (fixed air, no load)
Resistance between the tip and ground	<2 Ohm
Potential capacity between the ground terminal and the tip	<2 mV

• Dimensions: 9.5x5.1x13.2 in / 240x130x335 mm,
• Weight: 6.6 lb / 3 kg.

ASE-1203 Inductive Soldering Station - Front view Enlarge		ASE-1203 Inductive Soldering Station - Accessories Enlarge		ASE-1203 Inductive Soldering Station - Rear panel Enlarge
ASE-1203 Inductive Soldering Station - Side view Enlarge

Safety instructions

Take care of yourself!

1. Please read user manual carefully before using the instrument.
2. Do not use the device if there is visible damage.
3. Repair and maintenance of the device can be done only by a qualified specialist of the service center.
4. Before connecting the instrument to the electrical network, observe all known precautions, and make sure that the grounding system is to avoid electric shock.
5. Use only those accessories that are intended for use with this device.
6. While working, do not touch the metal parts near the tip of the soldering iron.
7. After completion of the work, it is necessary to install the soldering gun in the regular holder of the soldering gun.

Check and Measure the Soldering Iron

When there is something wrong with soldering iron, you can check and test it. If it is broken, replace the broken element.

1. Checking soldering iron: disconnect the plug and measure the resistance value between the connecting plug pins as follows:

2. If the values of 'a' and 'b' are outside the value in the following table, replace the heating element (sensor) and /or cord assembly. Refer to the following steps.

Note:

• The soldering iron must be equipped with tip, when check b and c items.
• The order of the pins in the above picture is as the mark on the handle socket.

Disassembling the soldering iron

1) Turn the nut (1) counterclockwise and remove the tip enclosure (2), and the tip (3).

2) Turn the nipple (4) counterclockwise and remove it from the iron.

3) Pull both the heating element (10) and the cord assembly (11) out of the handle (7). (Toward the tip of the iron).

4) Do not use metal tools such as pliers to remove tip or tip enclosure from the handle.

Checking the Heating Element

1. Measure the heating element when it comes back to room temperature:

1) Resistance value of heating element under 4Ω.

2) Resistance value of sensor (Red and Grounding wire) under 10Ω.

2. If the resistance value isn't normal, replace the heating element.

3. Testing heating element:

1) Measure the resistance value between pins 4 and 1 or 2, pins 5 and 1 or 2, pins 3 and 1 or 2, pins 3 and 4 or 5. If it is not ∞, the heating element and sensor or vibrator switch are touching. This will damage the PCB.

2) Measure the resistance value a, b and c to confirm that the leads are not twisted and that the grounding wire is properly connected.

3) Make sure the spring hook (9) has clasped the heater element (10).

ASE-1203: Setting & Operating the Unit

Usages of the Sponge and the Iron Holder

CAUTION:

• The sponge is compressed. It will swell when moistened with water. Before using the unit, dampen the sponge with the water and squeeze it dry. Failure to do so may result in damage to the Soldering tip.
• During the work, add water to the holder base if the sponge becomes dry.

1. Dampen the small cleaning sponge with water and then squeeze it dry. Place it in the iron holder base.

2. Add water to iron holder base. The small sponge will absorb water to keep the large sponge above it wet.

3. The large sponge may be used alone (without small sponge & water). Dampen the large cleaning sponge and place it on the iron holder base.

Connections

CAUTION:

Be sure to turn off the power switch before connecting or disconnecting the soldering iron. Failure to do so may result in damage to the soldering station.

1. Connect the cord assembly to receptacle.

2. Place the soldering iron in the iron holder.

3. Be sure to ground the unit. One end of the unit connects with the grounding hole at the back of the unit, and the other end connects with the earth.

4. Plug the power cord into a power supply. Turn on the power switch.

5. The heater point (the radix points on the 1's right side) flickers when the temperature has stabilized.

Temperature Setting

CAUTION:

Make sure the temperature of the station can be adjusted (Password is right or the password is initial 000). While setting the temperature normally, the heating element is off.

Temperature rising: Press ▲ key directly. If so, the setting temperature will raise 1°C and the display window will display the set temperature. When loosen the ▲ key, the display window will delay the set temperature about 2 seconds. If within 2 seconds, press the ▲ key again, the setting temperature will raise 1°C again. If press the ▲ key and not lose at least 1 second, the setting temperature will rise rapidly. Till the needed temperature reaches, then loose the ▲ key.

Temperature dropping: Press ▼ key directly. If so, the setting temperature will drop 1°C and the display window will display the set temperature. When loose the ▼ key, the display window will delay the set temperature about 2 seconds. If 2 seconds later, press the ▼ key again, the setting temperature will drop 1°C again. If press the ▼ key and not lose at least 1 second, the setting temperature will drop rapidly. Till the needed temperature reaches, then loose the ▼ key.

Sound Setting

1. In the working state and the password is 000 or the inputting password is right, press the four ▲. And ▼ keys at the same time to turn on or off the sound.

2. After turning on the sound, the unit will sound di-di when click the keys.

3. After turning on the sound, the unit will sound (with alarming work state) when the setting temperature is high than the real temperature 150°C during the heating or the setting temperature is less than the real temperature 80°C during the cooling.

4. After turning off the sound, the unit will not sound when clicking the keys or temperature up-limit or down-limit sound.

Sleeping

1. When the station is in the setting menu status, the display will be show OK. Press the ▲ and ▼ keys at the same time to enter in the sleeping time. And if select 0, it is no sleeping.

2. If sleeping time is selected 1-99, and the soldering iron is not used for 1-99 minutes, the power to the heating element will be decreased, and the display shows. This state is sleeping mode. Press the and ▼ keys to select the sleeping time.

3. When in sleeping mode, the tip temperature will decrease to 200℃ (if the set temperature is more than or equal to 200°C) or 50°C (if the set temperature is less than 200°C) and remain the temperature until resuming the iron.

4. If the soldering iron is not resumed more than 60 minutes after it comes to sleeping, the power supply will be shut off automatically, and the display window will not show anything.

5. To resume soldering, there are several ways as follows:

1) Turn off the power switch, and then turn on again.

2) Take up the iron hand of the sleeping station.

3) Click any button among the keys ▲, ▼ and ON/OFF of the sleeping station.

Calibrating the Iron Temperature

The Soldering Iron should be recalibrated after changing the iron or replacing the heating element or tip. Method of recalibrating temperature: Use the thermometer to calibrate.

1. Set the iron's temperature to a certain value.

2. When the temperature stabilizes, measure the tip's temperature with thermometer and write down the reading.

3. Press the ▲ and ▼ keys not loose and press ON/OFF key simultaneously, the soldering iron enters into calibration mode.

4. At the moment, the digit of LED display temperature is flashing. Press the ▲ and ▼ keys to input the value on the thermometer and then press the ON/OFF key about 1second. Here, the calibration operation has been finished.

5. If the temperature still has deflection, you can repeat calibration in accordance with above steps.

• Recommend using the tip thermometer for measuring the tip temperature.
• If the unit is locked by password, it will not be able to calibrate, and you must input the right password.

Parameter Setting

The station has the following parameters setting. Before adjusting the parameter of the unit, it needs to input the right password.

Password Setting

The unit's password is one and only and the initial password is 000. The setting temperature is admitted in this status. If need to restrict the setting temperature, the password must be changed and turn off the unit, then turn on.

Enter into setting password

1. Turn off the power switch, press and hold the ▲ and ▼ buttons simultaneously, then turn on the power switch.

2. Continue holding down the ▲ and ▼ buttons until the display shows .

3. When the LED shows the unit is in parameter setting mode.

Input previous password

4. Press the ON/OFF button, the LED shows and the leftmost digit (the 100's digit) in the LED will flash. This indicates the iron is in password setting mode and the 100's digit can be adjusted.

Remove scale and oxides from the timed area of the tip with 80-grit abrasive polyurethane foam stock or a 100-grit emery cloth. Selecting the password of three digit, press the ON/OFF button.

The input password is error

5. If the iron enters normal work state after display shows the current setting temperature for two seconds, this indicates the input password is error, and the temperature setting can't be done.

The input password is correct

6. If the window shows this indicates the inputting password is correct. After displaying about 4 seconds, it comes into the normal work state, and the temperature setting, and parameter setting will be admitted.

Input new password

7. When display window is showing press the ON/OFF button and shows , it indicates the iron comes into inputting new password state. Press ▲ and ▼ button to change displayed value. See TEMPERATURE SETTING.

Repeat the new password

8. When three digits are selected, press ON/OFF button, the display window shows again. Now input the new password once again. Repeat the same steps.

9. If the latest two passwords are the same, pressing ON/OFF button will modify the password successfully. The new password is stored into the memory.

10. If the latest two passwords are not the same, pressing ON/OFF button, and the display window shows , it needs to rewrite new password. (See the last 8~9 step). The changing of password is successful until the latest two passwords are the same.

Note:

• The word of password is 0 to 9, ten figures. If not, the input password is invalid.
• Because the password of the two work stations is one and only, after setting the password of one station, the parameter setting of other station is locked too.

Sleeping Setting

1. When the window displays press ▲ and ▼ buttons at the same time, the window displays the current sleeping time, which means the soldering iron has been into the sleeping time setting mode. Click to ▲ or ▼ button change the displaying value, the digit changing order is as the followings:

2. After select the sleeping time, click the ON/OFF button to save the value into the memory.

3. The sleeping settings of the two work soldering irons are separate and both need to set. After finishing one setting, it needs to repeat the same steps to setting the other.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to care and use of the soldering tip?

How to clean the tip?

What temperature should use for soldering?

Why a "de-tinned" tip fails to work?

How to care and use of the soldering tip?

High soldering temperatures can degrade the tip. Use the lowest possible soldering temperature. The excellent thermal recovery characteristics ensure efficient and effective soldering event at low temperatures. This also protects the sensitive components from thermal damage. Clean the tip regularly with a cleaning sponge, as oxides and carbides from the solder and flux can form impurities on the tip. These impurities can result in defective joints or reduce the tip's heat conductivity. When using the soldering iron continuously, be sure to loosen the tip and remove all oxides least once a week. This helps to prevent reduction of the tip temperature. Never leave the soldering iron sitting at high temperature for long periods of time, as the tip's solder plating will be covered with oxide, which can greatly reduce the tip's heat conductivity. Wipe the tip and coat it with fresh solder after use. This helps to prevent tip oxidation. Up

How to clean the tip?

Caution! Never file the tip to remove oxide. Set the temperature to 250°C. When the temperature stabilizes, clean the tip with the cleaning sponge and check the condition of the tip. If there is black oxide on the solder-plated portion of the tip, apply new solder (containing flux) and wipe the tip on the cleaning sponge. Repeat until the oxide is completely removed. Coat with new solder. The solder protects the tip from oxidation and prolongs the life of the tip. If the tip is deformed or heavily eroded, replace it with a new one. Up

What temperature should use for soldering?
600°- 650°F (316°- 343°C) is a good place to start for lead-based solder and 650°- 700°F (343°- 371°C) for lead-free solder. Note: if clots form, the temperature is too low. Up

Why a "de-tinned" tip fails to work?

A de-tinned tip is one which cannot wet with solder. This exposes the plating to oxidation and degrades the heat transfer efficiency of the tip. The de-tinning is caused by: 1) Failure to keep the tip covered with fresh solder while not in use. 2) High tip temperatures. 3) Insufficient melting in soldering operations. 4) Wiping the tip on dirty or dry sponges and rags (Always use a clean, wet, industrial grade, sulfur-free sponge). 5) Impurities in the solder, iron plating, or on the surfaces to be soldered. Up