XTRONIC 3060-XTS User manual

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PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE USING YOUR
NEW X-TRONIC MODEL #3060-XTS SOLDERING STATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Product Specifications......................................................2
Package Contents .............................................................2
Safety Precautions ............................................................3
Unit Diagram ......................................................................3
Set-up & Operation............................................................4
Features..............................................................................4
Temperature Conversion .................................................4
Sleep Function ................................................................4
Calibration Function ........................................................4
Maintenance.......................................................................7
Soldering Tip Care...........................................................7
Unit ..................................................................................7
Black Bakelite Screw Cap Tips........................................8
Soldering Tip Replacement .............................................8
Heating Element Replacement........................................9
Troubleshooting ..............................................................10
Warranty ...........................................................................12
Contact Information ........................................................14

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SPECIFICATIONS
Model XTR-3060-XTS
Input voltage 110/120V 60Hz
Dimensions 9.0 x 4.5 x 6.0 in
Weight 1.5 lbs / .65 kg
Working Environment 32°F ~ 104°F / 0°C ~ 40°C
Storing Environment -4°F ~ 176°F / -20°C ~ 80°C
Storage Humidity 35%-45%
Temperature Range 194°F ~ 896°F / 90°C ~ 480°C
Temperature Stability ± 2°C (static)
Tip to Ground Resistance <2Ω
PACKAGE CONTENTS
• Main Power Unit with LED Display
• 75 Watt Soldering Iron with Ergonomic Grip
• Attachable Helping Hands (set of two)
• Small Wrench (to Tighten Helping Hands)
• Anti-static Ground Wire Alligator Clip
• Solder Roll Holder (attaches to side of main unit)
• Brass Sponge Soldering Tip Cleaner with Cleaning Flux
• Wet Sponge Soldering Tip Cleaner

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SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
1. When not in use always turn the power off and unplug the unit from
the electrical outlet.
2. Never use the soldering iron near any flammable substance,
material, or gas.
3. Never touch the metallic components of the soldering iron while
they are in use. The items are extremely hot and will cause serious
burns instantly. Allow the unit to properly cool to room temperature
before attempting to touch them.
4. Do not use the unit for any application other than soldering.
5. Do not tap the soldering tip against the work surface to remove
residual solder - this can damage the soldering tip and/or heating
element.
6. Do NOT modify the unit in any way.
7. When replacing consumable parts, only use approved
manufacturer parts.
8. Do not get the unit wet or use when your hands are wet.
9. The soldering process can produce smoke - ensure the area is
well ventilated.
UNIT PARTS
1
34
5
6
7
8
2
9
1. Solder Roll Holder
2. Digital LED Temperature
Readout
3. Power Switch
4. Temperature Adjustment
Knob
5. Temperature Readout Toggle
6. Wet Sponge Tip Cleaner
7. Brass Sponge with Rosin
Flux Tip Cleaner
8. Soldering Iron Holder
9. Helping Hands

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SET-UP & OPERATION
WARNING: Do NOT leave the unit on full power for any long period
of time. This will greatly reduce the life of your soldering iron.
1. Open the package and check that all parts are present and are
not damaged. If anything is missing or damaged, please contact
X-Tronic immediately for assistance (see back cover for contact
information).
2. Install the mini-mag lamp in the hole provided in the middle of the
station.
3. Install the helping hands to each side of the unit using the provided
wrench to secure them.
4. Plug the anti-static grounding wire with alligator clip into the back
of the unit.
5. Place the soldering iron in the soldering iron holder on the top of
the left side of the unit.
6. Plug the 3-Prong AC cord into a grounded outlet to prevent electric
shock or injury.
7. Turn the power on by pressing the power switch on the bottom left
of the control module.
8. Once the power is on the LED Screen located on the front of the
control module will light up.
9. Set the desired working temperature by turning the aluminum
knob on the front of the control module. The temperature of the
soldering iron can be set anywhere from 194°F ~ 896°F/90°C
~ 480°C. Moving the temperature adjustment knob clockwise
will raise the temperature on the soldering iron, and rotating the
temperature adjustment knob counterclockwise will lower the
soldering iron tip temperature.
10. Moisten the sponge and place it in the space on the right side of
the unit.
IMPORTANT: Remove the iron from the cradle and flood the tip with
a good quality rosin core solder-preferably 63/37 or 60/40 grade
solder (See page 4).
11. Wipe the tip across the moist sponge or dip the tip into the brass
sponge to remove excess solder. The tip should then be bright and
shiny.
12. The soldering iron is now ready to solder. Proceed according to
your standard working practice.

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FUNCTION SETTINGS
TEMPERATURE CONVERSION
This unit can readout temperatures in either Fahrenheit or Celsius.
To change from one to the other, simply press the °C/°F button on
the front of the unit to toggle between the settings.
SLEEP FUNCTION
When the soldering iron is placed in the holder, the iron will go into
sleep mode after 10 minutes. The display will show “SLP” on the
bottom display to signify this and the temperature of the soldering
iron will ramp down to 194°F / 200°C (shown on the top display).
When the soldering iron is removed from the holder to use again,
the temperature of the soldering iron will ramp back up to the
temperature it was previously being used at within 5-10 seconds.
CALIBRATION FUNCTION
When is it time to Calibrate your Soldering Station?
All X-Tronic Soldering Stations come with a high quality ceramic
heating element in the soldering iron that is calibrated to within
±1.8°F/1.0°C of the temperature that is shown on the LED Display.
While calibrating to the exact temperature is the ultimate goal, this
heating element and tip design is as close as can be achieved with
this technology.
The age of the heating element, the hours of use, and the
temperature at which the soldering iron is regularly used will affect
the life of the heating element and can cause fatigue. When a
heating element begins to fatigue, the heat that is transferred to
the soldering tip from the heating element will begin to drop. If the
typical temperature used to solder is not working as well as when it
was new, then it might be time to calibrate the unit.
Note: Heating elements are consumable parts for soldering stations.
There will come a time when the heating element stops working
due to age and/or too much deterioration. At this point, it will need
to be replaced and cannot be calibrated. Heating elements for this
unit can be found on our website (XTronicUSA.com).

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CALIBRATION INSTRUCTIONS
Once the desired temperature has been set and the temperature
of the unit stabilizes, measure the heat at the soldering tip using
a high quality and well calibrated soldering tip tester. If the
temperature shown on the unit’s display does not reflect the
temperature shown on the tester, the unit can be calibrated by
pressing and holding the aluminum temperature adjustment
knob for 3 seconds. The temperature will show with decimals
between each number (i.e. 3.5.0.), then the aluminum temperature
adjustment knob can be turned to adjust the temperature to match
the tested temperature. Once the desired calibrated temperature
has been selected, press the aluminum knob to save the setting.
Note: There is no way to reset this unit to “factory settings” once the
calibration has been done. The only way to do this is to note the
calibration setting so that it can be undone in the future.
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Infrared (IR) Thermometers should NOT be used to measure the
temperature of the soldering tip as they often provide inaccurate
readings. All IR Thermometers are different and the capability
depends on the Distance to Spot (D:S) ratio of the model being
used. Many IR thermometers have a D:S ratio of 8:1 or 12:1
which means that the thermometer needs to be a distance of 8”
or 12” in order to read a 1” spot size. The tip of a soldering iron is
approximately 2 to 3 mm (.07-.11”), requiring the thermometer to
be 0.8” or 1.2” away from the tip. However, the IR thermometer
also has a minimum distance it needs to be away from the object.
Most IR thermometers will not be capable of measuring such a
small spot size and will provide disappointing calibration results.

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MAINTENANCE
SOLDERING TIP PREPARATION
• Keep the soldering tip properly tinned. Always use solder with
sufficient rosin flux or the tip will de-wet. A well tinned tip will be bright
all over when hot, with no dull or discolored spots.
• To tin the soldering iron tip:
1. Plug in the iron and allow it to reach solder melt temperature.
2. Flood the tip with solder and let it stand for one minute.
3. Apply more solder to the tip, allow it to idle for one or two more
minutes, wipe it lightly on the sponge. Do not remove all of the
solder, but use the sponge to remove excess solder and wipe
solder onto non-tinned areas.
• Do not file or attempt to reshape the tip. This will destroy the plating
and shorten tip life. Do not use chloride and acid fluxes; they will also
shorten tip and heater life.
• For maximum tip life, always apply solder to the heated connections
or joints. Repeated application of solder directly to the tip will shorten
the tip life.
WARNING: Do NOT use anti-seize or any other lubricant on the tip
retainer or heater of the soldering iron.
UNIT
1. Keep the unit plugged into a GROUNDED outlet at all times during
operation.
2. Keep the unit and all components free from dirt, debris, and liquid
at all times.
3. Make sure the power cord is plugged in correctly and safely off the
floor to prevent accidents.
4. Keep all cords in the immediate workspace and avoid letting them
hang off the side of a table or bench top.
5. Wipe the unit down, when needed, with a dry, static-free cloth.

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WARNING
DISCONNECT POWER CORD BEFORE REPLACING A
SOLDERING TIP AND/OR A HEATING ELEMENT
REPLACING THE SOLDERING TIP
1. Turn off the soldering station, unplug the power cord from the
power source and allow the soldering iron to cool down to room
temperature. Never attempt to remove the tip while the iron is hot.
2. Unscrew the small metal tip retaining screw cap at the bottom of
the soldering irons metal shaft. Slide off or remove the soldering tip
retaining collar. Now, remove the tip by sliding it forward.
(There is NO need to remove the black Bakelite screw cap to
change the tip.)
3. Slide a new tip over the exposed ceramic heating element, slide
the metal retaining collar over the new soldering tip back onto the
soldering iron.
4. Tighten the metal tip retaining screw cap to secure the tip into
place. Do not over tighten the metal tip retaining screw cap.
5. Plug the soldering iron AC cord into a grounded outlet to resume
soldering.
IMPORTANT:
Do NOT put excess pressure on the tip, it can damage the element.
BLACK BAKELITE SCREW CAP TIPS
• Bakelite is a strong and stable material when handled correctly. This
part cannot be made of metal for heat transfer safety reasons.
• The black Bakelite screw cap does NOT need to be removed to
replace the tip. This is only removed to access the heating element.
• The Bakelite screw cap should never be tightened or re-tightened
when the iron is hot. If the iron is not at room temperature when the
Bakelite screw cap is removed it can cause it to crack.
• When tightening the Bakelite screw cap, at room temperature, it only
needs to be snug - DO NOT OVER-TIGHTEN.