Troubleshooting     

We are sorry that you are experiencing some difficulty with your American Beauty soldering equipment. We have developed this trouble-shooting guide to assist you in determining the root cause of your problem. If you run through a few of these quick, easy "checks and steps", you'll be back up and operational in no time.

    STEP ONE - Identifying a Quick Fix
    You would be suprised how often one of these three issues is the root cause of your difficulty;
  1. Is your unit plugged in properly?
  2. Is the cord of your unit in proper, operating condition?
    • NO, my cord is damaged. - If product is still plugged in, follow proper safety procedures. Then it may be time to check out our Repair Service.
  3. Is the outlet that your unit is plugged into "live"?

If you answered YES to all three questions, its time to move onto more technical, product-Line oriented troubleshooting.


Troubleshooting your SOLDERING IRON

Before we take the next steps in diagnosing the cause of the problem you are experiencing with your American Beauty® soldering iron, remember to never attempt to service your soldering iron unless it is completely cool and unplugged. With that said, a lot can be determined by answering the following question;

Are you getting ANY heat out of your soldering iron?

  • YES, my iron is generating some heat.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - All American Beauty® heating elements are constructed with resistance wire, tightly wound around a metal spool. In the occasion of a heating element failure, this resistance wire reaches the end of its effective life and breaks. After this break, your iron cannot produce any heat whatsoever, and it is time to order a replacement heating element from one of our authorized distributors. However, since your iron is generating some degree of heat, it is very likely that the cause of your problem is your soldering iron TIP.
    • Conclusion - If a tip is not properly maintained it will accumulate oxides on the surface of the shank over time. These oxides, if not periodically removed, will greatly hinder the transfer of heat from the element into the tip.
    • Course of Action - After allowing the iron to completely cool, the tip should be removed and the shank surface lightly abraded. It is also a good idea to lightly abrade the inner wall of the element periodically to remove any oxides that may have accumulated there. You should also make sure the tip is always fully seated in the iron in order to take full advantage of the thermal transfer from element to tip and to avoid a premature element failure. If your tip has never been properly maintained, you may want to start fresh with a brand new Paragon Tip.

  • NO, my iron remains cold.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - All American Beauty® products run on electricity. Basic principles of electricity dictate that electricity must flow in a circuit. If that circuit is broken, whatever that electricty was powering will no longer work.
    • Conclusion - When faced with a tool that is producing NO heat, it is almost always a break in the electrical circuit caused by either a heating element failure or a faulty connection within the iron itself.
    • Course of Action
      1. Check electrical connections while disassembling the soldering iron. It is not uncommon for one of these to come loose over an extended period of time
      2. Perform a continuity test on your soldering iron's heating element. This will let you know whether your element is still "good".
    • Explanation of Results:
      1. All electrical connections were good, but no continuity registered - Your heating element has expired. Time to order a new one from one of our authorized American Beauty® distributors.
      2. All electrical connections were good and the element did register continuity - Your soldering iron may have an electrical short, time to check out our Repair Service.
      3. Element had continuity, however you noticed a loose or faulty connection while disassembling - When reassembling the iron, ensure that all electrical and physical connections are secure and you should be operational.


Troubleshooting your SOLDER POT

Before we take the next steps in diagnosing the cause of the problem you are experiencing with your American Beauty® solder pot, remember to never attempt to service your pot unless it is completely cool and unplugged. Solder pots are required to operate at high temperatures for extended periods of time, often in "difficult" environments. Pots will require periodic maintenance and replacment of key consumable parts.

Is your solder pot OVER HEATING?

  • YES, my pot runs ' wide open ', failing to cycle properly
    • Our Expert's Analysis - The Model 300 and Model 600 solderpots regulate temperature by incorporating a bi-metal thermostat. To work properly, the thermostat must be situated as close to the solder bath as possible. The draw back of this design is that the thermostat must endure the same harsh environment as the heating cartridges.
    • Conclusion - You need to replace your thermostat.
    • Course of Action - For Model 300 and Model 600 solderpots, the replacement thermostat is Model 8055.

Is your solder pot NOT HEATING ADEQUATELY?

  • YES, my pot is failing to maintain its regular temperature.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - The Model 300 and Model 600 solderpots require two separate heating cartridges to maintain temperature. The Model 675 uses one heater band. These heating elements and cartridges are covered under warranty for 90 days.
    • Conclusion - You need to replace one or both of your heating cartridges.
    • Course of Action - Check the continuity of the heating cartridges. One or both of these cartridges may have expired. Visit our Solder Pot page for more details on replacement heating cartridges and elements.

Is your problem slightly more COMPLICATED?

  • YES, unfortunately it looks that way.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - You may be correct. There are a few more possible reasons that could explain why your product isn't functioning properly.
    • Conclusion - It may be time to look into sending your product in for evaluation.
    • Course of Action - Check out our Repair Service or Email us your question.


Troubleshooting your RESISTANCE SOLDERING EQUIPMENT

Never attempt to service your American Beauty® Resistance Soldering System while it is plugged in. Please remember that all power units are rated to operate on a 50% duty cycle and at intervals not to exceed a maximum of 20 seconds at any setting. Even when operating within these guidelines you should check the power unit and handpiece for any excessive build up of heat that may potentially cause them damage.

Is your resistance soldering power unit generating any OUTPUT? Read about testing for voltage output of the power unit in our Frequently Asked Questions section of this website.

  • YES, my power unit is producing positive readings when tested with a multi-meter
    • Our Expert's Analysis - American Beauty® power units incorporate a great design and receive incredible attention to detail during their construction, therefore it is not surprising that it is functioning properly.
    • Conclusion - The problem you are experiencing is most likely originating with the hand piece.
    • Course of Action - Scroll down the page to the next question.

  • NO, I don't register any readings on the multi-meter.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - There are a few possibilities at this point including an on-site power surge that triped the circuit protection, a faulty footswitch, an internal wiring issue, etc.
    • Conclusion - We need to perform a few more intricate continuity tests and possibly "pop the hood" on the power unit.
    • Course of Action - You are faced with an either/or situation;
        EITHER its time to check out our Repair Service and Warranty Policy
        OR you should phone us directly at (800) 550-2510 and ask to speak to our Technical Support. Its FREE,extrememly HELPFUL and will likely save you a lot of time and headaches in the long run.

Is your resistance soldering handpiece generating any OUTPUT? Read about testing for voltage output of the handpiece in our Frequently Asked Questions section of this website.

  • YES, my handpiece is producing positive readings when tested with a multi-meter.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - Well...we have voltage output at the power unit and the handpiece. Guess what that leaves us with...your elements or electrodes!
    • Conclusion - Your problem is dirty or worn-out electrodes or elements.
    • Course of Action - Always keep your electrodes or elements free of burnt flux, oxidation, solder residue and other barriers to electrical conduction by using either a fine grit emery cloth, a fine tooth file or a small wire brush. When its time to order new American Beauty® Replacement Electrodes & Elements, they are available from any of our wide family of authorized distributors.

  • NO, I don't register any readings on the multi-meter.
    • Our Expert's Analysis - While our handpieces are designed to tackle the toughest environments and soldering appliacitons, if the handpiece has been overworked, (Always adhere to 50% duty cycle), it could have been damaged by too much heat build-up.
    • Conclusion - There is likely a loose connection within the handpiece or cabling.
    • Course of Action - Time to check out our Repair Service and Warranty Policy

We hope you found this troubleshooting guide helpful and we welcome your suggestions for improvement.