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cheap 12v soldering iron!
Posted: 20 Oct 2007, 17:18
by wasserleaker
A mate mentioned today that an auto electrician he knows, uses a diesel glow plug with wires and crocodile clips attached whenever he needs to do any soldered wire joints on a vehicle, just attach it to your battery and off you go, wires would need to be fairly long as most T25 batteries are up front, and i'd imagine you'd have to watch it wasnt connected for too long as it would drain the battery fairly quick, inline switch perhaps, but a great idea i thought. specially if you cant get near enough to a socket to use a 240v one , will pocket one next time im at the scrapyard

Soldering Iron
Posted: 20 Oct 2007, 18:18
by Andyvandy
I'd thought a butane powered soldering iron would be easier to use.......
Andy
Posted: 20 Oct 2007, 20:10
by toomanytoys
I have a 12v soldering iron... long lead and works well on small stuff... takes a good while to heat up but means that it doesnt get too hot..
cant remember where I got it though...
Re: cheap 12v soldering iron!
Posted: 20 Oct 2007, 22:42
by Tony-Jane
Would strongly sugest you fit an inline fuse if you go down this line, loads of current direct off the battery!
Re: cheap 12v soldering iron!
Posted: 21 Oct 2007, 16:07
by DiscoDave
Tony-Jane wrote:Would strongly sugest you fit an inline fuse if you go down this line, loads of current direct off the battery!
a fuse won't stop the current! it'll just blow if there's a fault on the glow plug!
i'd say go to maplins and get a gas iron, they've got the whole kit on sale at the minute for £20
here
Posted: 21 Oct 2007, 16:33
by R0B
you want summat like this.i have one.but i recon that postage is a bit rum..
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/LASER-Soldering-I ... 0168421932
they have got the gas ones in aldi from today £12.99
Posted: 21 Oct 2007, 16:39
by Tony-Jane
If the fuse is at the battery end any short circuit on the glow plug or cables the fuse will blow and NO CURRENT WILL FLOW, fuse should be on positive side because the vans are negative earth.
Posted: 21 Oct 2007, 17:45
by DiscoDave
Tony-Jane wrote:If the fuse is at the battery end any short circuit on the glow plug or cables the fuse will blow and NO CURRENT WILL FLOW, fuse should be on positive side because the vans are negative earth.
sorry i'm with you now! thought you meant use a fuse to limit the current, as oppose to there's gonna be a lot of current in that circuit, make sure it's fuesed!

Posted: 21 Oct 2007, 19:51
by Tony-Jane
Dave, my fault, I should have made myself clear in the first place. I agree with you and Rob that the best bet would be to buy a gass unit.
Tony
Posted: 22 Oct 2007, 17:10
by DiscoDave
gas one's are ace! and cheap to run too!
Posted: 22 Oct 2007, 17:26
by Other-Power
Inverter, then a mains one
job done.
Jon