[time-nuts] ICS525 Battery Top Singnal Generator - Frequency Synthesizer-Translator, Test Transmitter, (Crystal Replacement?)

[Chuck Harris]

Hi Brooke,

Awhile back I was looking into SMD rework stations, and I looked pretty
carefully at the Quakko stuff.

I didn't like the 850D because it was not servo controlled for temperature,
and the air flow adjustment was a blind guess.  So I bought the Aoyue 2738 directly
from the factory.  I liked it so much that I now sell the units.  The 2738 is
designed to provide the extra power needed to handle lead-free solder, and as
a result, it has a 70w digitally temperature controlled fume free soldering iron
as part of the station.  The soldering iron takes around 5 seconds to come up
to full heat, so there is no need to leave it running all the time.

The hot air rework section is digitally servo controlled for temperature, and
digitally controlled (non servo) for the air supply.  To make it possible to
do repeatable work, there is a floating ball air flow meter on the front panel.
The air flow meter allows you to take into account variables such as the different
restrictions caused by the different hot air nozzles.

Best work with a rework station is done using an underboard preheater.  The
preheater takes the board up to 100C, or so, which all SMD parts can handle.

-Chuck Harris

While my stocks last, I can make the Aoyue 2738 available to this group for
$235 plus shipping.  That includes the rework station, 6 nozzles, a vacuum
tweezer, a chip lifter (popper), a silicone pad, a soldering iron holder,
and a fume extractor for the soldering iron.  Visa and MC accepted.


Brooke Clarke wrote:
> Hi:
> 
> Awhile ago there was some discussion about the ICS525 and I finally got 
> a quote on their demo board it was $57 and 10 weeks.  Well it's been 
> less than 10 weeks and I've made my own, with more features than the 
> stock version.  There's been some delay getting all the stuff to do fine 
> pitch Surface Mount Parts, see:
> http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/SMT.shtml
> Version 1.0 has the ICS525-02 (160 MHz max out)  a couple of 10 position 
> SIP switches, a power supply including snaps for a 9 volt battery and a 
> 14 pin socket that will hold either a full or half size DIP oscillator.  
> There's also a BNC input connector that can supply the chip instead of 
> the DIP oscillator.  BNC output connector.  See more at:
> http://www.pacificsites.com/~brooke/PRC68COM.shtml#BTSG
> <http://www.icst.com/icscs/PartSummary.aspx?id=cf3d07a6-2cb4-4faf-8ad6-f4749fb2c1a8&name=ICS525-02&mode=short>
> 
> Data Sheet for ICS525:
> http://www.icst.com/datasheets/ics5250102.pdf
> 
> When using the calculator be sure to scroll down to the results for the 
> high speed -02 version, see:
> http://www.icst.com/calculators/ics525inputForm.html
> 
> For now I'm calling it the Battery Top Signal Generator, but it might 
> have numerous uses.
> Is there any interest in my making more of these to sell?
> 
> Have Fun,
> 
> Brooke Clarke
>