[TowerTalk] Portable soldering iron

[Al Kozakiewicz]

Don't overthink it.

I recently did a project that involved some soldering of connectors for process instruments around a pyrolysis plant.  Using a plug in soldering iron or gun would have involved carrying around hundred foot long extension cords with no guarantee you'd find an outlet within that distance, whereas I wanted to just shove a few tools in my pocket and walk from place to place unencumbered.

I ended up buying a battery powered, USB charged unit from Lowe's. It is red, so probably Black and Decker. It was like $35 and it works fine. I can solder the center pin on crimp UHF connectors outside, so it works for me.

Al
AB2ZY

-----Original Message-----
From: TowerTalk <towertalk-bounces at contesting.com> On Behalf Of k7lxc--- via TowerTalk
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2022 10:59 AM
To: dennis at ashworth.org; towertalk at contesting.com
Subject: [TowerTalk] Portable soldering iron

I have a number of small connectors in the antenna field that require soldering. These are CinchJones connectors and the wire size being soldered is #18. No electrical services in the area so I need to purchase either a butane or Lithium battery solution.  Anyone have experiences with either option? Reviews on various types show mixed results. The temp specs on butane look really hot, perhaps too hot for small plastic connectors. The lithium pencils are reportedly too cold for all but the smallest (mass) connectors. Thoughts from the masses? Dennis, K7FL _______________________________________________



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