IFIXIT SLD101 Smart Soldering Iron User Guide
- September 24, 2024
- IFIXIT
Table of Contents
SLD101 Smart Soldering Iron
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Specifications:
- Product: Smart Soldering Iron
- Model: SLD101
- Power: 100 Watt
- Power Source: USB-C
Product Usage Instructions:
Quick Start:
-
Push and twist the blue cap of the USB-C cable to secure it to
the soldering iron. -
Connect the other end of the cable to a Smart Port on your
FixHub Portable Power Station or any compatible USB-C power
source. -
Push the Power Switch on the soldering iron to the ON position
(switch shows orange). -
The iron will enter a low-temperature mode after 30 seconds of
inactivity and completely power off the tip after 60 seconds of
non-use. -
After soldering, switch the soldering iron to the OFF position
(the LED indicator will turn purple and pulse). The heat-resistant
cap can be put on at any temperature.
Assembly and Features:
-
Quick-Swap Soldering Tip: A soldering tip that
can be easily changed out without any tools. -
Soldering Iron Handle: Soft-touch comfort grip
is easy to hold and ensures steady control over the Smart Soldering
Iron. -
Touch-Safe Indicator: Glowing ring safety
feature indicating tip temperature. Orange: Too hot, Purple: Too
hot, Blue: Cooled, safe to touch. -
Power Switch: Sends power to the Smart
Soldering Iron tip. Orange: ON, Blue: OFF. -
Soldering Iron Cap: Vented, heat-resistant cap
magnetically attaches to the Smart Soldering handle. -
Soldering Iron Cable: Flexible 100 Watt USB-C
cable for the FixHub Smart Soldering Iron.
Installing or Changing the Tip:
-
To install a Quick-Swap Soldering Tip, ensure the Power Switch
is in the OFF (Blue) position, then push the tip into the Soldering
Iron Grip until it clicks. -
When removing the tip, make sure it has fully cooled before
touching it. If plugged in, the Touch-Safe Indicator will change
from orange to blue when safe to touch. Remove the tip by pulling
it straight out of the Soldering Iron Grip.
FAQ:
Q: How do I know when to change the soldering tip?
A: You may need to change the soldering tip if it becomes worn
out or if you require a different tip size for your project. Follow
the instructions for changing tips provided in the user manual.
Q: Can I use a different power source other than the FixHub
Portable Power Station?
A: Yes, you can use any compatible USB-C power source with the
Smart Soldering Iron. Ensure it meets the power requirements
specified for optimal performance.
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SMART SOLDERING IRON
SLD101
USER GUIDE
WELCOME!
We’ve done our best to make this manual user-friendly and worth your time to
read from cover to cover before you get started (meaning it’s pretty bare-
bones and down-to-business). For more in-depth coverage, explanations, how-
tos, and an entire community of fixers and tinkerers like yourself, head over
to ifixit.com/FixHub
iFixit, 1330 Monterey Street, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401, USA,
866-613-4948
iFixit GmbH, Sigmaringer Straße 260, 70597 Stuttgart, Germany
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to
the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful
interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK START . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION . . . . .
. . . . . . . 8 SAFE SOLDERING . . . . . . . . . 10 ASSEMBLY AND FEATURES . .
. . 12
Installing or Changing the Tip . . . . . . 14 How to Read the Touch-Safe
Indicator . 14 Turning the Iron On and Off . . . . . . . 15 How to Use the
Soldering Iron Cap . . . 15 Soldering Iron Cable . . . . . . . . . . . 16
OPERATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Setup with Generic USB Power Sources 17
Setup with the FixHub Portable Power Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Now Let’s Solder! . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Shut-Off Safety Features . . .
. . . . . . 19 MAINTENANCE . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Soldering Tip Maintenance
. . . . . . . . 21 Storage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Troubleshooting and Repair . . . . . . . 21 Firmware Updates . . . . . . . . .
. . . 22
QUICK START
Push and twist the blue cap of the USB-C cable to secure it to the soldering
iron. Connect the other end of the cable to a Smart Port on your FixHub
Portable Power Station or any compatible USB-C power source.
Push the Power Switch on the soldering iron to the ON position (switch shows
orange).
OFF
ON
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Understanding the LED Indicator Blue LED: The iron is below 40°C/100°F and is
safe to touch. Purple LED: The iron is actively heating up or cooling down.
Iron tip is not safe to touch. Orange LED: The iron has reached the user-set
temperature and is ready for soldering. Iron tip is not safe to touch.
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Remove the iron from the heat-resistant cap and begin soldering when the LED turns orange. The iron comes set to 350°C/660°F out of the box, but will remain at whatever temperature was last set using a Portable Power Station or other USB device.
The iron will enter a lowtemperature mode after 30 seconds of inactivity, and
completely power off the tip after 60 seconds of non-use.
After soldering, switch the soldering iron to the OFF position (the LED
indicator will turn purple and pulse). The heat-resistant cap can be put on at
any temperature.
ON
COOL DOWN
OFF
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IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
Read this section carefully to learn the applications, limitations, and
potential hazards related to your new soldering iron.
WARNING Read all safety warnings and instructions. Failure to follow the
warnings and instructions may result in electric shock, fire, or serious
injury.
· Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI
Z87.1 when assembling parts, operating the product, or performing maintenance.
· Prevent unintentional starting. Ensure the switch is in the off position
before connecting to a power source, picking up, or carrying the soldering
iron. Carrying the soldering iron with your finger on the switch or the
energizing appliance it’s mounted on invites accidents.
· Use this product with specifically designated battery packs and power
sources, such as FixHub Portable Power Station (IF145-494-1) or iFixit 65W GaN
Fast Charger (IF145-542-1). Use of other power sources may create a risk of
injury and fire.
· When the battery pack is not in use, keep it away from other metal objects,
like paper clips, coins, keys, nails, screws, or other small metal objects
that can make a connection from one terminal to another. Shorting the battery
terminals together may cause burns or a fire.
· Under abusive conditions, liquid may be ejected from the battery; avoid
contact. If contact accidentally occurs, flush with water. If liquid contacts
eyes, seek additional medical help. Liquid ejected from the battery may cause
irritation or burns.
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· Do not use a battery pack or appliance that is damaged or modified. Damaged
or modified batteries may exhibit unpredictable behavior resulting in fire,
explosion, or risk of injury.
· Do not expose a battery pack to fire or excessive temperature. Exposure to
fire or temperature above 130°C/265°F may cause explosion.
· Follow all charging instructions and do not charge the battery pack or
appliance outside of the temperature range specified in the instructions.
Charging improperly or at temperatures outside of the specified range may
damage the battery and increase the risk of fire.
· Have servicing performed by a qualified repair person using only identical
replacement parts. This will ensure that the safety of the product is
maintained. (With the free repair information available at ifixit.com/FixHub,
that qualified repair person can be you!)
· Do not modify or attempt to repair the appliance or the battery pack (as
applicable) except as indicated in the instructions for use and care.
· This appliance can be used by persons with reduced physical, sensory or
mental capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have been
given supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance in a safe way
and understand the hazards involved. (EN)
· This appliance is not to intend for used by persons (including children)
with reduced physical, sensory or mental capabilities, or lack of experience
and knowledge, unless they have been given supervision or instruction
concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
(CAN)
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· Children shall not play with the appliance. Keep the appliance and its cord
out of reach of children.
SAFE SOLDERING
· Do not touch the heated tip of the soldering iron.
· Use the soldering iron in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing fumes.
· Always wear eye protection with side shields marked to comply with ANSI
Z87.1 when soldering.
· Do not point the tip of the soldering iron at another person.
· Do not place your hands or fingers near the tip of the soldering iron.
· Never leave the soldering iron unattended while it is in the on position.
· Keep your work area clean and well lit. Cluttered or dark areas invite
accidents.
· Do not operate battery products in explosive atmospheres, such as in the
presence of flammable liquids, gasses, or dust. Battery products create sparks
which may ignite the dust or fumes.
· Always assume that the soldering iron tip is hot.
· Do not solder live circuits.
· Hold the soldering iron by insulated gripping surfaces when performing an
operation where the tip may make contact with hidden wiring. Tips contacting a
“live” wire may make exposed metal parts of the soldering iron “live” and
could give the operator an electric shock.
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· Avoid body contact with earthed or grounded surfaces such as pipes,
radiators, ranges, and refrigerators. There is an increased risk of electric
shock if your body is earthed or grounded.
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ASSEMBLY AND FEATURES
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Quick-Swap Soldering Tip A soldering tip that can be easily changed out
without any tools.
Soldering Iron Handle Soft-touch comfort grip is easy to hold and ensures
steady control over the Smart Soldering Iron.
Touch-Safe Indicator This glowing ring is a safety feature that indicates if
the tip is safe to touch or not. Orange:Too hot, don’t touch Purple:Too hot,
don’t touch Blue:Cooled, safe to touch
Power Switch This switch sends power to the Smart Soldering Iron tip. Its
status is indicated by the color being shown next to the black switch.
Orange:ON Blue:OFF
Soldering Iron Cap A vented, heat-resistant cap that magnetically attaches to
the Smart Soldering handle.
Soldering Iron Cable Flexible, 100 Watt USB-C cable for the FixHub Smart
Soldering Iron.
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Installing or Changing the Tip To install a Quick-Swap Soldering Tip, ensure
the Smart Soldering Iron Power Switch is in the OFF (Blue) position, then push
the tip into the Soldering Iron Grip until it clicks.
When removing the tip, always ensure the tip has fully cooled before touching
it. This normally takes about 5 minutes. If the Smart Soldering Iron is
plugged into the FixHub Portable Power Station, the Touch-Safe Indicator will
change from orange to blue when the tip is safe to touch. Remove the tip by
pulling it straight out of the Soldering Iron Grip.
How to Read the Touch-Safe Indicator When the tip is too hot to touch (above
40°C/100°F), the ring glows orange. After it has cooled enough to touch (below
40°C/ 100°F), it will glow blue. While the tip is heating or cooling, it will
pulse up or down to indicate if it is heating up or cooling down. The
indicator ring only functions when the Smart Soldering Iron is connected to a
power source, so use caution when handling an unplugged Smart Soldering Iron.
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Turning the Iron On and Off The Power Switch controls power delivery to the
Soldering Tip and has colored ends to indicate if you are sending power. When
switched OFF (Blue), the Smart Soldering Iron can still connect to and
communicate with the FixHub Portable Power Station, and the Touch-Safe
Indicator will still function, but the tip heater will not heat up. When
switched ON (Orange), the Smart Soldering Iron will heat the Soldering Tip to
reach and maintain the set temperature. How to Use the Soldering Iron Cap The
cap can be installed on a hot iron to allow safe storage of the iron
immediately after use. It can also be mounted onto either side of the FixHub
Portable Power Station, where it functions as a soldering iron stand while
you’re working. Attach the iron to either side of the power station by sliding
its Spring Clip onto the Tool Mount.
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Soldering Iron Cable Connect the Soldering Iron Cable to the Smart Soldering
Iron by plugging the end with a blue retaining cap into the blue socket on the
end of the Smart Soldering Iron. Then push and twist the retaining cap to lock
the cable in place. Connect the other end to one of the USB-C Smart Ports on
the front of the Portable Power Station. The FixHub Soldering Iron Cable can
support 100 Watts of power from the Portable Power Station to the Smart
Soldering Iron. Some other USB-C cables are compatible, but may not support a
proper data connection or as much power. This just means your soldering tip
will heat up a little slower.
OPERATION
This soldering iron is designed for soldering and desoldering circuits and
electrical connections. It can also be used for wood burning, stained glass
assembly/repair, jewelry making/repair, and other crafting activities. This
soldering iron should NOT be used on live circuits.
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Setup with Generic USB Power Sources The FixHub Smart Soldering Iron is
designed to work best when paired with a FixHub Portable Power Station, which
will allow fine control of the soldering iron’s temperature and performance
preferences. However, it will also operate with any power source capable of
delivering at least 20 Watts via the USB-C Power Delivery standard. When
running off of a third-party power source, the FixHub Smart Soldering Iron
will use the factory default setting of 350°C/660°F, or the most recent
temperature configuration used with a FixHub Portable Power Station.
Setup with the FixHub Portable Power Station Press and hold the Action Button
on the FixHub Portable Power Station for 3 seconds to power it on. The
Portable Power Station will boot up and play an exciting introduction
animation, then display the ready screen:
With the Smart Soldering Iron Power Switch in the off position, connect your
soldering iron to either of the USB-C Smart Ports on
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the Portable Power Station. It will recognize the soldering iron and display its icon:
As the temperature increases, the screen will display the current tip temperature.
Once the Smart Soldering Iron and Portable Power Station are initialized, the
Portable Power Station will automatically enter Control Mode. Rotate the
Selector to set the desired Soldering Iron Tip temperature. Up and Down arrows
beside the displayed temperature indicate that you are currently adjusting the
set temperature:
Stop turning the Selector when the desired set temperature is displayed. After
one second, the currently displayed temperature will be applied as the set
temperature. Turn on the Smart Soldering Iron Power Switch to send power to
the tip, and it will start to heat up to reach the set temperature.
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Now Let’s Solder! Now you’re ready to start soldering! Hold the Smart
Soldering Iron by the soft grip, like a pen. Do not touch any of the exposed
metal parts of the Soldering Iron Tip, as they will be hot. To solder a simple
joint between two wires, melt some solder onto the Soldering Iron Tip, then
press the hot solder-covered tip against the wires to heat the joint. Apply
more solder to the other side of the joint until some melts in and covers the
wires. Remove the iron from the joint, and you’re all done! For more advanced
soldering techniques and tips, visit ifixit.com/FixHub
Shut-Off Safety Features The FixHub Smart Soldering Iron is equipped with an
accelerometer-powered auto shut-off safety feature. The specific setpoints are
configurable from the FixHub Portable Power Station, but the default settings
are as follows.
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After 30 seconds of no movement, the soldering iron enters Rest Mode, which is
a low-power mode that sets the tip setpoint to 200°C. This saves battery
power, protects the tip from damage, and keeps you safe. After 60 seconds of
inactivity, the tip completely powers off.
Picking up a resting soldering iron will wake it up, and the tip will
automatically heat back up to your set temperature. When powered by a FixHub
Portable Power Station, warming from rest temperature to set temperature will
only take a few seconds.
Additionally, if the soldering iron detects that it has been dropped, it will
automatically shut off the tip to prevent damage or injury when it lands.
Toggle the Soldering Iron Power Switch off and back on again to resume
soldering.
When you’re done soldering, switch the Soldering Iron Power Switch into the
OFF (Blue) position. If you’re packing up the Portable Power Station, leave
the Soldering Iron connected until the Touch-Safe Indicator turns Blue,
indicating it is safe to handle the tip. Then, hold down the left button on
the Portable Power Station to shut it down, and unplug the soldering iron. It
is now safe to transport the Iron and Portable Power Station.
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MAINTENANCE Soldering Tip Maintenance
A clean tip works better and lasts longer. Clean your tip frequently with
brass wool or a wet sponge while soldering, to remove any nasty burnt-on flux
residue. When you’re done soldering, tin the tip by applying a thin layer of
fresh solder, then immediately turn it off. This will create an anti-oxidizing
shield that will protect your tip until you’re ready to use it again.
After enough soldering (or enough abuse clean your tips!), your Soldering
Iron Tip will wear out and need to be replaced. See the Installing or Changing
the Tip section (p. 14) for instructions on tip replacement.
Storage · Always tin the tip when you’re done
soldering.
· Disconnect the USB cable before storing.
Troubleshooting and Repair · Soldering Iron plugged into FixHub
Portable Power Station but not recognized: Check connections, try the other
front USB port on the Portable Power Station, or try a different USB-C cable.
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· Soldering Tip does not get hot: Ensure that the Soldering Tip is properly
installed and clicks into the base. Ensure the Soldering Iron Power Switch is
in the ON (Orange) position. If using the FixHub Portable Power Station,
ensure it is turned on and that the iron is connected and recognized.
· Solder does not wet (melt and adhere) to the tip: The tip may be too
oxidized. Clean or replace the tip.
For more in-depth troubleshooting, disassembly and repair guides, and a
helpful community of fixers like you, visit ifixit.com/FixHub Firmware Updates
To check for firmware updates and update your soldering iron, go to
ifixit.com/FixHub
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