[sdiy] Transformer hack, recommendation - or not

[KA4HJH]

>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...

I'd heard that the newer Wellers have a fuse of some sort in the
transformer. Makes for an expensive repair. Also, the newer models (unlike
the ones they made in the eighties) have a cheaper transformer that's more
like to fail (or at least blow the picofuse or whatever the thing is).

I'm guessing that's what's going on here...

-- 

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"