Weller WXsmart RoadTest Unboxing Video (Full-Length Narrated Edition)

An unboxing video of the Weller WXsmart Demo Kit for an element14 RoadTest review.
Interested? Read the full review in the RoadTest Reviews section of the element14 Community Forums in mid-May 2023 when my full report will be posted. See community.elem...

[@ksdls2002]

How to get the complete box kit? Weller gives no infos on how to order as a kit.

[@bb0yMark]

with a voice like that, you need to have a tech section on the news 😍

[@WellerSoldering]

👍

[@NiHaoMike64]

Any idea why it uses a linear power supply? It's not like a soldering iron is going to benefit from low noise.

[@lui_gough]

That is a good question and I don't have a firm answer for this as the efficiency of switching designs is usually desirable and their regulation is increasingly acceptable even in demanding applications. Furthermore, some irons (e.g. Metcal SmartHeat, Thermaltronics) actually exploit RF to do the heating, thus bringing high-frequency AC all the way to the tip. The weight savings are also noticeable. If I had to guess, perhaps it's a combination of several things - it may have been inherited from Weller's earlier designs (but now with an improved user interface - so why fix what isn't broke?), perhaps it may be because of the perceived increased reliability of linear designs against poor/variable quality power which may be found in industrial environments, or maybe the absence of high-frequency switching noise reduces the potential for capacitively coupled stray currents causing potential differences in the system which could affect ESD sensitive components (especially in case of poor grounding) or could cause EMC compliance issues for certification. It is noted that the WXair module is universal voltage, thus presumably is switching-supply-based. But as it only handles air, there is no direct electrical connection to the handpiece, thus maybe the latter concern does not apply. Thanks for your question!

[@NiHaoMike64]

@@lui_gough The irony is that most likely the temperature control will be done using unfiltered PWM, adding a whole lot of noise.

[@lui_gough]

I guess I'll have to take a look at it in some way - traditional pre-digital Wellers used a rather slow "bang-bang" style control, as the irons were powered from 24V AC (not DC) and temperature control doesn't need such speed due to the thermal mass of the tip itself. Fast PWM isn't exactly necessary, although I suppose if you want a tight PID loop control, maybe that would be useful.