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Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:56 am

Does anyone have good experience with either a butane or battery powered soldering iron for Vanagon electrical work. I'd like to keep a unit in my van to fix problems that crop up like the brittle coolant sensor wire that decided to ground itself causing my light to blink. :o

I suppose I could also use my inverter but I'd like a cordless model.

Thanks

Scott

Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:06 am

I ended up getting one of these from Sears this morning. I'll report on how well it works.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-P2KC-Professional-Sel...amp;sr=8-1

Scott

Sat Oct 23, 2010 9:27 am

I've used a butane soldering iron for years, it's actually a great device. I prefer it to the electric ones. Just be careful where you put it down, the hot gas vents out of a hole in the side and this can burn things.

Sat Oct 23, 2010 10:55 am

I've got a Blue Point butane unit that I've used a fair bit and absolutely love it. It works flawlessly, and looks just like yours with the same style case, but a few more tips in there. Blue Point is typically just re-badged product so in all likelihood they are the same. I don't see it in your link, but mine has a heat shield that snaps on the end when using it like a little blowtorch that comes in handy protecting near-by wires while heating shrink-wrap tubing. Very handy. I don't think you'll ever regret going cordless.

Sat Oct 23, 2010 11:38 am

I tried a battery iron once and it was shit.
So bad I heated it up on the stove to use it

Sat Oct 23, 2010 6:07 pm

scottjk wrote: I ended up getting one of these from Sears this morning. I'll report on how well it works.

http://www.amazon.com/Weller-P2KC-Professional-Sel...amp;sr=8-1

Scott

I own two of these, they are fantastic. One for the van toolkit and one for the garage. My friend bought a battery powered one, it sucked.

Sat Oct 23, 2010 7:32 pm

Battery ones are not good.

I have a butane one from weller and it works wonders for soldering. heats up in about 1-2 minutes and it can get super hot.

Sun Oct 24, 2010 6:46 am

Butane. Some kits have hot knife attachments which are useful for other little projects (cutting plastic, cutting ropes and capping the end at the same time... etc etc)

The only thing to be a little cognizant of is that fixing electrical issues with solder in a vehicle can be problematic. Solder does not like vibrations so if the joint is not supported on a larger base (e.g. a pcb board) it can break. That is, if the solder is going to be part of the structure of the joint it may break.

I find straight through crimps to be a better solution in most cases.

With that all said, in addition to carrying a butane iron I carry some "self amalgamating tape" which I use to seal off electrical connections - it has 101 other uses (o;

Good luck!

Sun Oct 24, 2010 9:34 pm

Another plug for the butane iron. I was able to use one to repair a broken plastic thermostat cover by wiring/welding the crack closed and being able to drive out from the Flat Tops area several years ago. It saved a weekend and prevented a 4WD tow of 30+ miles...

Wed May 02, 2012 9:37 am

I'm thinking I need a butane soldering device.
The Weller get's the best and most consistent reviews, but lacks the cutting knife that RadioRental mentioned. IT would be nice to occasionally cut, and perhaps weld plastic with this device if that is not asking too much.
Any suggestions? I could not locate a knife tip for the Weller - that would seal the deal

Wed May 02, 2012 9:52 am

I have the Portasol butane soldering iron... lil case with a couple of different tips and a couple for use as a spot heat gun or heat shrinker.

Anywho...works great, gets hot fast!!! sometimes too hot!

And easy peasy to refill.

Wed May 02, 2012 10:28 am

What's an appropriate wattage for general use - 50, 75 or 125?

http://www.wayfair.com/Portasol-Soldering-Iron-Kit-P-50K-IOO1004.html

http://www.wayfair.com/Portasol-Soldering-Iron-Kit-PP-1K-IOO1007.html

http://www.wayfair.com/Portasol-Soldering-Iron-Kit-PP-1K-IOO1002.html

Wed May 02, 2012 12:00 pm

I got this Bernzomatic locally for under $20:

http://www.amazon.com/Bernzomatic-ST200T-Micro-Butane-Torch/dp/B0000CBIJS/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Despite mixed reviews, I've used it for both electrical & torch soldering with no problems. Cheap & it works.
As noted, it is NOT self-igniting but that's part of why it's cheap. One less thing to break or stop working.

I keep it at home but now that I see this thread, I'll get another to keep in the van. Great idea!

---------------------------------------------

<edit/PS> - Here's another one that looks to have the knife attachment...just $16:
http://www.amazon.com/IRWIN-Industrial-Tools-019132-Micro/dp/B0000CBJBQ/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Wed May 02, 2012 6:44 pm

Harbor Freight--how cheap can you get?
http://www.harborfreight.com/butane-pencil-torch-41169.html

Wed May 02, 2012 8:17 pm

Butane all day long.