Improving a cheap vacuum desolder-station (ZD-915)

Watch also this (more easy to realize) mod of the same model:

Better vacuum-action with an easy DIY-mod for the Zhongdi Vacuum Desolder-Stations.
Comparable stations: ZD-915, ZD-985, ZD-8925
Combined solder/desolder stations: ZD-917, ZD-987, ZD-8917

[alleycatjack]

This is exactly what I was thinking of doing with my old Weller DS600. I was going to use a vacuum sensor to shut off the pump when presure is high enough. I may look at using a refrigerator compressor for more silent operation.

[Scorry]

Good, GOOD improvement! Great idea! Thank you!

[emmettturner]

Thanks for this, but I accomplished something similar for my Aoyue Int701A++ by holding the trigger while kinking the hose. I then alternately straighten and kink the hose as if the pinched hose were my press/release trigger. It works gloriously! This station has an AC pump that just can’t get up the vacuum while the solder is still flowing unless you trick it like this. It went from nearly useless to actually working well! Though this is free and works well, I imagine I will sometimes need my other hand free instead of using it to manipulate the hose. I’d like to use a momentary foot switch to run the pump and then I will actuate a valve connected to the trigger like you do. Thanks!

[KX]

I'm a bit disappointed you didn't show any footage of it actually de-soldering a joint, maybe a comparison to the original in high speed. I know it woudn't be particularly easy to film that.
Personally I use a similar model with it all built into the gun and no base station and I've never had any problems de-soldering anything with it. I do wonder if the volume of space in the tube between the pump and the tip makes a difference.

[titodejesus]

Your "meticulous" explanation on how to do the modification is awesome....

[BaudBand]

I'm late to seeing this video, but thank you so much for the inspiration. I'm going to order some parts to modify mine now.

[NurdRage]

Wtf is happaning at frame 126 2:06 ???? Sparks???

[Acecool]

Yes, I agree with this - with the wind-up the solder can cool quickly before full potential is reached meaning you can't get everything without heating twice, but with the full potential of the vacuum reached instantly then you'll pull more solder... so it is a great feature... there are a few adjustments I'd make though..

You should add a pressure switch. Once it reaches optimum pressure turn off... This is a fantastic idea and I'm considering modifying my existing 853D rework station to add this capability for a desoldering gun ( I modified it already so I can remove the heat want as it always got in the way ) my plan is to either add a new connection, or use the heat gun or solder-gun port or controls with a switch to control what is active so I don't need to make a new case and add all of the electronics for controlling temperature, etc... plus buttons and the line...

It should have enough free area inside for the vacuum and maybe even a small sphere for a vacuum chamber as you have designed since it'll only be used in short bursts anyway...

In addition to adding a pressure switch to control when it shuts off, I'd add another feature so when you hit the trigger, it instantly turns the internal pump on too so the air lost is then replenished... Ideally I'd have calculated how much air / pressure it processes over time and synchronize it with how much is used per second so if I hold for 1 second and it only needs .5 seconds to refill then I can run it at half power or 75% or so... It shouldn't be too difficult to add the first 2 changes, the more intelligent sync system would take a bit more effort although if the pump is underpowered for the container then it doesn't matter if it runs the entire time the trigger is pulled... if it is overpowered then reducing the power is easy enough too...

[supyrow]

a check valve on the "output" side of the chamber would allow the chamber to stay in a "vacuum" state while the pump isnt powered. or... you could spring for another solenoid in the opposite configuration... a good idea using a chamber.. hmmm.. nice work!

[hansbertram]

I silencer is missing at the output of pump.

[BRINDAPATEL-nzwt]

Sir, how became doble cyleder use in zd915

[oswaldjh]

More expensive units have a 2 part trigger. When you pull the trigger part way in the pump starts. Then pulling the trigger fully a solenoid opens the air tube to the vacuum. The solenoid is only enabled for about half a second as to not cool the tip too much if a second attempt is needed.

[pintail]

I think the big container is a good idea, its like a big capacitor with lots of sucking capacity, if you want to do multiple desoldering with lots of joints and you have to keep waiting for vacuum to build up(as suggested by other posts to remove the tub and add a delay) before it allows a trigger it will become very annoying.

[micablue]

Habe das ganze mit einem grossen gurkenglas gebaut, funktioniert super die ide 👌🏻

[Robbie]

Have a problem with you leaving the pump on permanently, it will wear the pump too fast and mate, no one want's to hear that noise constantly especially when doing a great deal of de- soldering which I do. All the more expensive de-soldering stations operate in the same way and there is a technique in using them so instant vacuum is not required. It is basically to do with your wrist action moving in a circular motion around the soldered joint so heating the solder all through the plated hole so it's all in a fluid state before the trigger is pulled. Timing is most critical. This works best with 60/40 solder not the lead variety as too much heat is required and damage to the traces will result.

[leohobbleohobb]

Move the fan over the powersupply and cut out some bars in the power supply shield.drill sme holes down on the p.supply side off the case.I have the ZD-8915 witch have a better deigned gun.Inside the case it is similar.when i moved the fan fron the back to over the power supply everything in the supply where much cooler under load witch mean longer life.Always when i buy stuff like this a changes the capasitors to good brand, s Nothing expencive.Just reliable parts. i also swat the triac in solder station from 6 somthing to total incapsuled bt 8somthing.It handles 200 more

[MooneyDriver]

Do you have a link for the vacuum container?

[SeltsamerAttraktor]

I just bought the same thing and was wondering if the coil hum during heating up is something that other people have with theirs as well, do you?


Btw, I don't think it's a good idea to have that pump running all the time. I bet it will crap out soon. As some other people here have suggested, you should make it a two part thing, or, if adding a second trigger to the gun is not feasible, put a little timer in there.

[jdryyz]

Despite its problems, is the ZD-915 still better than the OrangeA S-993A desoldering gun?

[qwaqwa]

Easier to add only the valve, with delayed opening after the pump starts...? Then the noisy pump isn't running all the time and wearing out...