Parkside 20V cordless iron temperature control HACK! PLSA20-Li A1

In this video I who you how to modify the Lidl Parkside PLSA20-Li A1 cordless soldering iron, to reduce its tip temperature from the factory 420+°C to something more reasonable in the 270°C range. Desoldering a jumper and adding either a potentiometer or simple resistor allows you to turn this cheap €18 iron into a much more capable tool.

Watch Part 1 for a quick review off the iron:

Technical facts:
Factory temp.: +400°C
Heater resistance: 1.8 Ω
Thermistor resistance (RT): 55 Ω
Thermistor resistance (hot): 180 Ω
Repair target: 275°C

[davipoyastro]

There is a calibration mode for this soldering iron:
1) power it on, let it turn solid green
2.a) to reduce the temperature press and hold power until it turn solid red
2.b) to increase the temperature press and hold power until it turn blinking green
3) short press power to increase or decrease the temperature (3 clicks around 10 degrees change)
4) to end the calibration press and hold power button until it turns solid green

[CHLER.]

For a second, I thought BigClive had taken some female hormone tablets.
I watched his video on this same iron just the other day and not seen this channel before. Thanks YTA

[wr]

That’s a great little hack, definitely going to do this to mine with a pot somewhere for variable temp control. A hack for a temp readout where the useless tray sits would be a fantastic addition, but sadly, I wouldn’t have a clue how to do it!

[ibmezouar]

Too bad youtube didn't suggest this video to me at the time, because I returned mine for lack of temperature control. I would've kept it had I seen your video on how to hack it.
Well done sir!

[marbesky]

I've just done this mod with a 100ohm multi turn adjustable resistor and works great
thank you for the video

[nicmin]

hi can you do the hack on new model Parkside 20V cordless iron PLSA20-Li B2 totally different board

[hristomirchev]

I mounted the potentiometer (regular, not like yours) on the case and put knob over it so I can have control all the time. The pot value is 100 ohms and in parallel there is 220 ohms resistor instead of the 0 ohm value resistor that was previously mounted

[Upo]

I just bought one today. It is PLSA20-Li B2. The iron holder is a separate piece, have to click on its place on the base but finally nearly the same shape as A1.
The board inside is unfortunately not the same, this is a mini board, no place for a potentiometer. The calibration mode with power button also not working. I am sad... 😬

[SqualidsargeStudios]

Clive recently did a vid on this thing, he figured out that there is a undocumented temperature changing mode

[caputovajenaj]

Zapne sa, čaká, kým sa rozsvieti zelená LED. Tlačidlo podržte, kým sa nerozsvieti načerveno - toto je režim zníženia teploty. Potom sa krátkymi postupnými stlačeniami max. teplotu o 3-4 stupne na kliknutie.

[tiggerlator]

If the red led flashes, and i have tested 19v at the red and black wires at the iron element and it does not get hot, what could be the problem?

[annaplojharova]

For such portable thing I would better use a fixed resistor. The trimmers are notorious for becoming unstable after they age, mainly when connected as a variable resistor and not as a variable divider (the moving contact resistance is the usual culprit).

And for the temperature I do not like to go above 320degC. For a beefier joints it is better to have beefier tips for the iron.
Or have there a switch selecting either 300degC for a regular soldering and then maybe about 350degC boost for short time.

[koresz]

Hello! About the notebook adapter, how can you operate this adapter?

[Shamino]

I uhhhh just need to do soldering and wont turn on. Few red blinks and then green blinks and light turns off.

[EFDawahWiseLanternDen]

on the b2 model on the yellow cable i put a resistor 0-100 ohm but it didnt do anything ...what if i put between the black or the red wire going to the iron ?? any ideas ??

[alarm]

Excellent hack! To deepen the hack, do you think it is possible to modify the firmware if it is part of your knowledge ? What is the MCU reference? Thank you !

[StepperByStepper]

You are awesome, will rebuild your Hack! Thank you.

[vitowito]

How long does a 2Ah/4Ah battery last with this iron ?

[DavidTelesPortugal]

I bought one didnt heat up, Lidl replaced it, same thing waiting for the 3rd one. The led looks to be on a timer, since it would blink fast, change to green and the tip was cold to the touch.

[m.v.]

You my intelligent friend deserve my Subscribe!