[Elecraft] Soldering temperature of KPA100, KAT100

[Vic Rosenthal]

Edward Ringel wrote:

> The KPA100 indicates that the soldering tip temperature should be 800
> which is different from the 700 specified for the K2-do most builders
> agree with this? Obviously, a high wattage iron is needed for the power
> transistors and that is not part of my question.  Also, what tip size is
> the best for the KPA100? Looking at the pad size, it looks like it
> should be the same as the K2, but advice is welcome.

I used the Weller WTCPT with 3/32" screwdriver tips, 700 degrees for the 
K2 and switched to 800 for the KPA100 and KAT100.  700 would have been 
fine for both -- there is nothing special about the KPA100 or KAT100 
that requires the higher temperature.  Since I went to 800, I find that 
I prefer it -- I can make my joints faster.  Some people have said that 
the higher temperature is more likely to damage the boards, but I think 
this is only the case if you leave the iron on the pad far, far too 
long.  I have never had any trouble with Elecraft (or any other) boards, 
and I've done plenty of unsoldering in my quest for optimization.

Yes, most of the components on the K2 and the KPA can be soldered with 
the same tip size.  I used a large soldering gun for the transistors, 
etc., but it was clumsy.  Now I have a Weller W100P with 3/8" tips (700 
and 800 degrees, I bought it to replace the bandswitch in an Alpha 86!), 
and THAT would be perfect for the big jobs.  The mass of the big tip is 
what makes this kind of iron useful when the item you are soldering is 
large and tends to draw the heat away.  This iron is great, for example, 
for soldering the braid in PL259's.

-- 
73,
Vic, K2VCO
Fresno CA