Have any of you tried the Bernzomatic Detail Pen Torch or Ryobi USB Lithium Soldering Pen for soldering RC battery and motor wires? Both of these options have me intrigued, but I am not sure either gets and stays hot enough to solder thicker RC wires. I am looking for something I can keep at my girlfriend's house and possibly take with me on RC trips at times.

I am open to other portable and cordless options as well. I already have the Ryobi 45W Hybrid Soldering Station that is great, but not portable enough to easily travel with.

Links are below.

Bernzomatic Detail Pen Torch: https://www.bernzomatic.com/Products...en-Torch-ST500

Bernzomatic Detail Pen Torch Kit: https://www.bernzomatic.com/Products...rch-Kit-ST550K

Ryobi USB Lithium Soldering Pen: https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287216710



Ryobi 45W Hybrid Soldering Station: https://www.ryobitools.com/products/details/33287176977

I have tried torch irons before, 10+ years ago. None got hot enough to melt low lead content solder.

This portable iron has been the best I've used and gets as hot as my large hakko iron (when connected to a power supply, not battery).
https://teameamotorsports.com/produc...2ab24611&_ss=r

Thank you, but that is expensive and not what I'd call portable. When it requires a separate battery or power supply, that kind of throws it out the window for this discussion. I could just bring along my Ryobi soldering station and battery.

In what situation are you going to be in where you need to solder RC components but don't have access to some form of power supply or battery?

Also note that the one they linked to supports installing a battery inside the unit.

TS100 kinda hard to beat

I've heard of super capacitor soldering irons but have never used one.

https://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/miniware-ts1c

Which iron you want to buy, more important is if there is an optional large tip. To solder thick wires with any iron a large tip will make it much easier than the standard tip most irons do come with.

Your options are either the TS100 or Pinecil V2.

I chose the Pinecil V2 for a few different reasons but I'll let you do the research. I power it with a 100W USB block and USB-C cable. There are other powe methods as well. It is rather impressive for such a small device.

https://pine64.com/product/pinecil-s...oldering-iron/

Go into Amazon and type in "TS101"

That's what i use for my portable iron

I know it well. It's been very popular this and the Pinecil. The Pinecel tends to be much cheaper. I have no idea on how the performance of the two compares though.

The TS100 was at least sold by one RC brand, maybe more:
Red RC » 1up Racing Pro Pit Iron soldering set
If you sell it as an RC brand then you have faith in it that it works for what it is needed.

If I'm at the track I will always have my 12v power supply powering up my Junsi ICharger, Tire Warmers, etc. This solder iron from AM Arrowmax works amazing!

It's currently out of stock at Amain, but you may be able to find it elsewhere. It heats up very quickly and cools off pretty fast too. Zero complaints.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/am-arro...74021/p1240521

I love love my ts101 iron. It’s a beast when powered with a usb c pd3.1 27volt supply. Also works great when feeding it 24 volts. Kind of sucks with under 20 volts and it’s really bad at 12 volts.

Many chargers nowadays can be used as a power supply to go up to 24v. I have a TS100 that i carry in my pit bag and I power it with a iCharger X6. With the chisel tips it has no problem doing anything you would need trackside for motors and battery plugs. The only thing i wouldn't want to do is unsoldering the factory wires from a Hobbywing ESC, save that for a more powerful iron.

I use 1UP then have a 6s pack to power it.