With this circuit it is possible to work with the soldering iron at a lower temperature, or to keep it warm when in a standby state. With lower temperature we can use it to stick plastic boxes, for example.
Even during stops to check a project, separate components or analyze a circuit you can leave your iron semi-heated, saving energy and the very tip of the iron that tends to a lower level oxidation in these conditions.
The reducer we describe provides two temperatures for welders up to 100 W on both the 110 V and 220 V mains. The circuit is simple and still has a lamp to monitor the operation to show you how your welder is operating. The complete circuit of the gear unit is shown in figure 1.
If the grid is 110 V we can use the 1N4004 or 1N4007, but in the 220 V grid we must use the 1N4007. The lamp is small incandescent, up to 5 W, for example.
To use it is simple: with the key S1 down we have the full power and the lamp on with maximum brightness and up with half power with the lamp lighting with reduced brightness.
Material list
D1 - 1N4004 or 1N4007 according to the power grid - silicon diode
S1 - 1-pole x 2 positions
X1 - Lamp up to 5 W for 110 V or 220 V according to the local network
Miscellaneous: power cord, socket for lamp, wires, solder, etc.
