Review on 🔌 Hakko FX-901/P Battery-powered Soldering Iron by Alex Smith

If you've tried a battery-powered soldering iron, you're probably using a cold iron and you know it won't work properly. This iron works differently, GOOD seems different. I have been involved with electronics as a hobby for over 20 years and am also a radio amateur. We should discuss what this iron does well, how to use it properly, and what it can't do. This iron works very well with thin wire up to 16 gauge or maybe a bit thicker. It also works well for PCB components for projects or repairs. It heats up quickly and has a tapered tip that goes where it's needed; just what you would expect from a Hakko soldering iron or any other quality soldering iron. The behavior of the soldering iron varies greatly between alkaline and NiMH batteries. If you use alkaline batteries they get too hot when the batteries are new, work well in the middle and then not warm enough at the end of their life resulting in cold solder joints. Alkaline battery life was approximately 75 minutes. Swap out the batteries for rechargeable Ni-MH batteries and, as if by magic, your iron is a dream come true. It heats up evenly over two hours of use (120 minutes!), and when the batteries die it stops working. No cold solder joints. With decent Ni-MH batteries, they'll last a year on a charge in your pocket, and with a 2-hour cycle time, you can charge the first set while using the second set. I use 63/37 eutectic solder so I have less movement from cold solder joints. It also means I haven't tested this iron with silver solder, which usually needs to be heated to get a good bond. My 11 year old daughter has also soldered several projects with this iron. And I didn't even mention that it will stand and stand on a table with its flat back while standing upright. You'll never be surprised again when you hit the power cord right in front of the table's iron rollers! The only caveat I found? You won't be soldering thick power cables or large RF lines. It just doesn't provide enough heat to solder 12 gauge wire.