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A project log for 750 watt grill to SMD reflow "grill"

my take on trying to convert a cheap €15 grill to an smd reflowing apparatus.

ian-sIan S 02/01/2018 at 15:340 Comments

Where do i start?

So, i decided i needed to start somewhere. I didn't want to buy a reflow oven, because there to expensive for my liking (like €440 here). And i didnt trust the ebay or amazon import type of oven's. So i was willing to try and make this work.

First i plugged the grill in and verified that it worked.

I've taken some measurements and this where the things I found worth noting:

 Then after i've let it cool down i took it apart (of course!).


                                                                                           the case, or what's left of it..
                                                                     The top heating element(with temperature controlled switch)

After tearing the grill apart I've learned a few things:

This explains the uneven heating in between the top and bottom grill,

because the resistance of the heaters is never exactly equal to the other heater (and therefore giving more or less heat).

In combination with the temperature sensitive switching element that is mounted on one of the two plates. 

It all results in that 10-20C temperature drift in between the two plates.

                                                                                close up of one of two heating elements

Now what?

well, i've got  2 options I think I can consider now:

  1.  I can "leave" the heaters in series, hoping that reflowing with the lid closed will limit the amount of temperature difference that can develop in between the heater surfaces.
  2. I can put the heaters in parallel, but because the heaters are rated voor 110-120 V AC i'll need to transform mains (230V) down to 120V. this will require an decent transformer that is capable of handling roughly 6.25 Amps > 6.5A (constant load). on the secondary winding. this will cost some money (like €80-€90). or i'll have to wind/find my own transformer, from an microwave oven transformer or something...

I think i'll stick with my first option, just because it's easier to do, and is sounds a lot cheaper. And if i find out that series heaters are worthless for something as delicate as SMD reflowing than i'm forced to rethink my options.

I'll have to get the following things:

"I'm just getting started..."

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