I have three power supplies, a PS2E01, an RFG-30, and an MX500P. The RFG30 seems to be the less enhanced model (one connector and no lights).? AFAIK, they all have the same frequency (Metcal does have a different system of tips and irons, not sure about them). I haven't had a problem with any of the power supplies and the Metcal irons.? I do suggest that the Thermaltronics Irons have a very slightly different barrel length on the tips and may not mate properly.?? Had to return one.? Put the latest iron in the PS2E01, (superior, handle runs cooler) and it fits just fine.? I think that the basic Metcal system is 30 Mhz.
Some of the newer models have more power, but may be designed to run two handpieces at the same time (desoldering and soldering). I use the PS2 to run the vacuum desoldering gun and the standard pencil at the same time, but since it's switched, I have to wait. I am considering running two of the supplies with an SMT desoldering tip in one, and the standard tip in the other.
I have not had a probem switching metcal irons, handpieces, and power supplies amongst the ones I have mentioned.
Harvey
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On 4/17/2023 8:26 AM, BobH via groups.io wrote:
Hi,
I picked up an Metcal PS2E-01 power supply at a hamfest recently. It did not come with an iron. I tried the iron from my MX500P system and it heated up to soldering temperature and seemed OK. There is a 1993 dated test sticker on the supply, so it is not a recent model.
Metcal has sold several different appearing power supplies, and I am wondering if the irons are compatible from model to model? Connector compatibility seems like kind of a risky metric for this kind of thing. Does anybody know if there are differences in output power or frequency between models?
Thanks,
BobH
KE7FEF
