[sdiy] Transformer hack, recommendation - or not

[Ken Stone]

Most likely it is a thermal fuse, designed to open when things get a bit too
warm. You can buy replacements fairly easilly. 

As for the hack, as long as it is totally enclosed/insulated, there is no
real problem. Keep that side of the transformer away from your low voltage
circuitry. If you do replace the thermal fuse, it needs to be in contact
with the winding.

Ken

>Hi list, a week ago my soldering station died on me
>and while opening it up i discovered that the
>transformer didn't give any output. While dissecting
>the transformer i found a small white-ish part (like a
>resistor but made of plastic?) on the mains terminals
>that didn't conduct and seems broken.  So i removed it
>and measured the transformer and it seems to be having
>the right resistance now (58ohm). 
>
>But! I also managed to cut a piece of the copper wire
>on the mains winding so i did a hack
>(www.sdiy.org/knas/temp/transformerhack.jpg) and i
>wonder if this is just not recommended or really,
>really stupid. 
>
>The station crapped out on me after i had cleaned the
>pen with red spirits, the fuse decided to not be a
>fuse and blew the transformer. Also, if anyone know
>what that white-thingy was it would be interesting to
>know...
>
>thanks
>
>Karl
>
_______________________________________________________________________
Ken Stone   sasami at hotkey.net.au or sasami at cgs.synth.net
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