Solder iron timer

[amplifiednation]

Anyone using a timer for their iron? There are days I use it for 6-8 hrs but man...I keep leaving it on sometimes! I'm afraid it's going to start a fire.

Any timer ideas?

[Phil_S]

Run it on a switched circuit for the ceiling lights. Add an outlet to that circuit. When you turn off the lights, you also turn off the outlet. IMO, it is cheaper and more effective unless you are one of those people who leave the lights on 24/7.

[sunnydaze]

Thanks. This post just reminded me to turn off my soldering iron

[David Root]

Mine both have a built in timer. If not used in 60 mins it turns off.

[xtian]

Mine both have a built in timer. If not used in 60 mins it turns off.

How does it know if being used? A nice gyro-motion sensor like in my phone?!?

[John_P_WI]

Mine both have a built in timer. If not used in 60 mins it turns off.

How does it know if being used? A nice gyro-motion sensor like in my phone?!?

I don't know what type of station David uses, but the Metcal soldering station I use idles down when the hand piece is returned to the stand to save the tip. It instantly is back to temp for use when removed from the stand. IF not removed, it sleeps after 120 minutes.

I have two fluorescent fixtures above my bench and the Metcal is plugged into the power strip that turns the lights on and off. No lights - no power to the soldering station as mentioned above as well.

[Aurora]

Some irons use sensors, optical, proxy etc in the stand to detect idle...
A simple clockwork timer enxt to the outlet will do, too, or a plugin timer..

[David Root]

Mine are not as sophisticated as John's Metcal. They are both Weller WES 51 and I don't know how they do it.

One of them is starting to get power drop-out disease, the LED goes off and the iron cools down, intermittently, for no apparent reason, well before the programmed 60 minute cutout. Maybe the timer is getting old, it must have Oldtimerz (sorry about that!).

[John_P_WI]

Maybe the timer is getting old, it must have Oldtimerz (sorry about that!).

Well played Sir, well played.

[amplifiednation]

Switched outlet seems like a good idea, but a lot of work. Maybe a new iron with a timer? I think they make outlet replacements with timers...but I gotta do something I left it on from Friday afternoon until Sunday!!!!!!! Oh man...

[C Moore]

My Weller is the old fashoined type.....there is no kind of safety default to OFF. It stays on for as long as its switch is ON.
I stole the 50 Minute Timer from a kitchen appliance (a vegetable steamer) .....I have been using it about 3-4 years now.
I is just a simple,rotary switch that I installed in a metal J-Box that I grabbed from a job-site demo.
Even if I get side-tracked, and leave the house, the iron will only stay on for 50 Minutes.
Good Luck