Electronics

Solderdoodle USB rechargeable soldering iron brings open-source portability

Solderdoodle USB rechargeable soldering iron brings open-source portability
The Solderdoodle is designed to be charged from a USB port
The Solderdoodle is designed to be charged from a USB port
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The Solderdoodle is based on an unsuccessful solar charger project
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The Solderdoodle is based on an unsuccessful solar charger project
The Solderdoodle is designed for portability
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The Solderdoodle is designed for portability
The Solderdoodle computer design
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The Solderdoodle computer design
Working with the Solderdoodle
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Working with the Solderdoodle
The Solderdoodle can be charged from a laptop
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The Solderdoodle can be charged from a laptop
The Solderdoodle's workings
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The Solderdoodle's workings
Printing the Solderdoodle's case
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Printing the Solderdoodle's case
Printing the Solderdoodle's case
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Printing the Solderdoodle's case
The Solderdoodle is designed to be charged from a USB port
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The Solderdoodle is designed to be charged from a USB port
The Solderdoodle charges in three hours
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The Solderdoodle charges in three hours
A performance increase now sees the device going above 700º F (371º C) for at least an hour
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A performance increase now sees the device going above 700º F (371º C) for at least an hour
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There’s nothing new about cordless soldering irons. Whether electric or butane, the days of being tied to a mains outlet to do a bit of soldering are long gone, but what about the techie on the go who doesn't want to be lumbered with chargers, batteries, and cans of gas? Solderdoodle is based on the idea that what works for smartphones and tablets works for soldering irons. The focus of a Kickstarter campaign, the partly 3D printed device can be charged using a standard USB cable.

The 7.4-in (18.8 cm) long Solderdoodle is built around a lithium lon battery that charges from any USB port, such as a laptop, mains adapter, USB battery, or USB solar charger, with a standard USB 2.0 type A connector. According to the developers, the device can charge in three hours and can operate “for hours” on a single charge. It uses a Maxim high-efficiency, high-power charge controller, and the soldering iron tip is standard and can be replaced from any off-the-shelf source.

The body of the Solderdoodle is 3D printed and as well as being brought to market through a Kickstarter campaign (if it’s successful), the device is open source and the plans are available on instructables.com. This is fortunate because the Solderdoodle has room for improvements, since it’s only capable of reaching 500º F (260º C) and therefore can’t handle non-leaded solder.

The Solderdoodle's workings
The Solderdoodle's workings

Solderdoodle was developed by Portland, Oregon-based start up Solarcycle and uses hardware from an unsuccessful solar USB charger previously created by the company. According to the developers, the Solderdoodle is still in the prototype stage with the production version still to come. Funds from the Kickstarter campaign running through August 1 will be dedicated to manufacturing the first batches of the devices.

“Solderdoodle is something the maker community has been looking for; a soldering iron that can be used far away from a wall socket in tight spaces with enough power to complete most Arduino type projects with leaded solder,” says Isaac Porras, creator of Solderdoodle.

Update 8 August: Solderdoodle's developer has informed us that he has cancelled this Kickstarter campaign and launched a brand new one for a Pro version Solderdoodle that's capable of going above 700º F (371º C) for at least an hour.

Source: Kickstarter

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2 comments
2 comments
Anne Ominous
I've had a Weller rechargeable soldering iron for well over 20 years.
No reason at all a USB-charged variant could not be successful. Heck, I'd buy one. As long as it's decently made.
This is one of those "why didn't this happen a long time ago?" things.
Gary Bonney
You can buy an 8w 3x aaa battery soldering iron of similar design that woks extremely well froim Hoby King for $3.50 plus shipping. If you run enloops in it it does everything this will plus you can carry spare batteries but they run for ages on a set any way. I now use it as my go to iron if not doing heavy work.