The kit does provide everything you need for a decent soldering job, provided supply could be better.
Heats up quick (~15-20s), keeps up with ground planes (depends on tip though), has no issues with RoHS solder.
The provided tips are the usual ones that you get with cheap soldering irons and their usability is debatable. They do seem durable, but I suggest a tip activator (like ERSA 0TR01) as the smaller SMD tips tarnish quickly.
I'd also suggest to get the T12-K (knife) tip, as its versatile enough to be used for both through hole and SMD if the board is not too dense.
Note also that with some tips (like the T12-K tip) the provided stand is actually too short and the tip touches the casing of the stand. I got used to placing the iron half-way in the stand, which is meh.
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The provided supply does seem to provide the necessary oomph to heat up the soldering iron, but since it's a generic SMPS, it does have leakage, which is within regulatory limit and would be OK for a standard appliance, but I wouldn't consider it good for a soldering iron.
A simple measurement from supply GND or 24V to earth shows 80 V AC, 50uA AC, which is enough to give you a tinge if you happen to rest your hand on the trace / plane you're soldering.
I haven't had any dead components due to this yet, but it doesn't really instill confidence.
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If this would be provided with a more appropriate supply, I'd say this would be a great kit.
Without the supply, it isn't really that of a deal compared to other T12 OLED controllers out there. The separate supply versions seem to have died out on the open market, and I can't claim that the integrated supply variants are any better, so YMMV
Eleshop ELE-T12A active soldering station
Details
Tip from our expert:
This soldering station is a perfect addition to any workbench. It makes use of the active tips
ensures that the tip is at temperature very quickly and is also kept at a very stable temperature. The active tips
used by this station are, compared to other brands, very economical. In addition, it is possible,
due to the small dimensions of this station, to use it at any (busy) workplace.
On the clear OLED display it is easy to see if the tip is already at temperature and after 1 minute of inactivity the station
automatically goes into sleep mode. The station comes with adapter, soldering iron holder and 3 active tips. So after purchase it is immediately
ready to use.
Specifications
| Max. Power | 72W |
| Working voltage | 12-24V (24V is recommended, adapter is included) |
| Temperature range | 200 - 480 ℃ |
| ESD safe | No |
| Display | OLED |
| Dimensions | 88 x 41 x 38 mm |
Accessories
This soldering station comes with:
- T12 Soldering iron
- 3x Soldering tip (T12-D08/T12-BC3/T12-I)
- Soldering iron holder
- Pad to exchange hot tips
- Adapter
Pros and cons
- Active tip
- Small form factor
- Due to light weight, the station easily moves away from position
Downloads
| ELE-T12A manual |  (2.11 MB) | Download |
Video's
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