You most likely need a hand piece to test the Metcal.? I believe some of the power supply models have open circuit shut down capability.? So if you don't see any RF at the connector that is not definitive for being defective.??? The hand hand piece with the element is really an inductive heating element that regulates the temp by the curie point of the alloy used for the actual tip.? I never opened up? one of the element tips but it should contain an inductive heating coil around the heat conductive alloy.?? IIRC there is a resonant cap located in the body of the hand piece that forms a series LC resonant circuit with the heating coil in the heating element.??? I guess the idea is as the temp approaches the curie point of the material in the core of the inductor, the LC resonant point shifts off? resonance reducing the absorbed energy, thus regulating the temperature.? As you start to solder the tip cools, returns to resonances and absorbs more energy.? They respond very fast.
I purchased a special stand for the hand piece which has a sponge, and tip storage but it also contains some ferrite material around the hole for hand piece.? The ferrite upsets the resonant point so the tip standby temp is lowered when not in use, extending tip life. ? I do notice a slight delay before the tip gets to soldering temp with this stand over the old one but it's not significant.?
After market tips and Metcal clones are available from a company called Thermaltronics.? thermaltronics.com ? Tips are in the $11 to $22 range.
Be aware there are different temp ranges available for each style tip??? 325-358c (type 600)?? 350-398C (type 700)?? 420-475c (type 800)
I normally use 63/37? tin/lead , hate the lead free stuff.?? So my old 600 types work fine? just need to get a couple higher temp ones for the lead free boards
Craig
