getting 20 degress out of soldering iron element to heat up etch tank

A

amateur_24

Member

• May 24, 2014

• #1

Hi Guys
I have taken the heating element out of an old temperature controlled soldering iron. Is it possible to come up with a driver circuit that would regulate
the element at room temperature or so? I thought since the element is ceramic, I could use it to heat up my etch tank? I could place the element underneath the tank. Since it's only at room temperature it shouldn't melt the container/ I could use glass dish.

 

Joe G

Member

• May 24, 2014

• #2

why not just use a cheap fishtank heater?

 

P

Pommie

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 24, 2014

• #3

If you want to heat your tank to room temperature then simply wait an hour and it'll be there.

Mike.

 

Joe G

Member

• May 25, 2014

• #4

one winter, I used a bucket of hot water to sit my etchant tank in to heat it up, my peroxide froze (Like you would use a double pan when making candy/icing). Also I myself, prefer not to use any high (line) voltage around liquids and such

 

A

amateur_24

Member

• May 25, 2014

• #5

ok i will try a tank heater. BTW I don't think any of the temperature controlled soldering irons run on mains voltage. They have a transformer in the station itself to step down the voltage. At least both my cheapo and very expensive soldering stations do anyway.

 

chemelec

Well-Known Member

• May 25, 2014

• #6

Yes it Needs that Transformer.

 

alec_t

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 25, 2014

• #7

An ordinary incandescent lamp bulb would be the cheapest heat source.

 

A

amateur_24

Member

• May 26, 2014

• #8

alec_t can do me a favor, ask your drgaon to heat it up for me?

 

alec_t

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 26, 2014

• #9

LOL . I'm afraid the etchant would boil!

 

4pyros

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 26, 2014

• #10

You could try a reptile tank heater like this;
https://www.petco.com/product/6353/...=54138177253&gclid=CIK5_Oz6yb4CFWsOOgodGVIAfg

 

atferrari

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 26, 2014

• #11

I know it is not an answer to your OP but, at least, look how nice is **broken link removed**

All he builds looks really nice!

 

Last edited: May 27, 2014

Joe G

Member

• May 26, 2014

• #12

that is a very nice looking etching set-up gets a double smiley.

 

A

amateur_24

Member

• May 26, 2014

• #13

hmm interesting!! Although I don't think have much use for a hot plate since my soldering station has a heat gun built in.

How does that setup work? I don't see any heating element?

 

Joe G

Member

• May 26, 2014

• #14

the heating element is the pcb having the grid pattern w/ a power adapter connection.

 

4pyros

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 26, 2014

• #15

Not so much a grid pattern as a long wire.

 

P

Pommie

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 26, 2014

• #16

Why not buy something like these **broken link removed**at 5 for $7. Hook them up to 12V and you can have from 20 to 100 watts of heating.

Mike.

 

4pyros

Well-Known Member

Most Helpful Member

• May 27, 2014

• #17

atferrari said:

I know it is not an answer to your OP but, at least, look how nice is **broken link removed**

All he builds looks really nice!

Click to expand...

His stuff is very nice.