Seven years after Copper Industries (Houston, TX) purchased Weller Electric Manufacturing from Carl Weller they published their November 1977 Product Catalog #600.
http://bama.edebris.com/download/weller/catalogs/weller-catalog-600.pdf
The Weller WTCP and WTCPL were discontinued in 1976, except for some late military orders. I repaired a US Navy surplus WTCP station with a 1977 ink stamp inside TCP-1 iron. The 1977 catalog shows the the WTCPN model (replacing the WTCPL model). This model would be in production for 5 years (1981), when it would replaced with the WTCP series model (same form factor) that featured many changes.
* New TC-201 soldering iron. Plastic molded blue handle, black heater insulator, plug-in heater (EC-234), updated 3-pin iron connector (with twist lock).
* Power illuminated rocker switch changed from Carling TLG-Series Mid-Sized Tippette snap-in rocker switch https://www.carlingtech.com/sites/default/files/documents/TLG-Series_Details_%26_COS.pdf
to the Carling LRA-Series Curvette illuminated rocker switch. https://www.carlingtech.com/sites/default/files/documents/LRA-Series_Details_%26_COS_0.pdf
Hi Greg
Rather late to your post but I have a WTCP Series that I must have purchased in the 70’s in Australia with a back label
————–
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
THE COOPER TOOL GROUP LIMITED
P.O. Box 366, ALBURY, NSW
————–
It has a mid-sized illuminated rocker switch (not the wide separate switch and lamp) which I have also seen on some WTCP on EBay in the USA. Still in use but what brought me here was finally deciding to replace the switch because it has been unlit for years. I haven’t found a Carling switch which is wide enough. I’d be interested if the original switch design is available so it continues to look classic.
Harry –
The Weller WTCPN model (North America) was mfg. from 1977-1981.
It may be different years in other regions of world. The WTCP Series and WTCPR used the same case form factor, BUT changed to the Illuminated Rocker switch models: LTA (Tippette), then LRA (Curvette)
https://www.carlingtech.com/rocker-switches-mid-size
I refer to the WTCPN rocker switch and Neon indicator as a Double-wide (TLG-series)
Use the Data Sheets on the Carling web site (now part of Littlefuse) and a Ruler (for comparison measurements).
The Carling TLG-series Mid-Sized Tippette
The Weller OEM unit (49+ years ago) used Wide Leads and AC Voltage for Neon Indicator had to MATCH Region (120V for North America; 240V for Rest of World)
https://www.carlingtech.com/rocker-switches-tlg-series
Carling TLG-series Data Sheet
https://www.carlingtech.com/sites/default/files/documents/TLG-Series_Details_%26_COS.pdf
==
The Major Global Electronics Distributors (Farnell, Future, Mouser, Digi-Key, RS/Allied, Newark/Avnet) stock these Carling Rocker Switches (mfg. in Mexico and East Asia).
REMEMBER that NEON Voltage MUST Match AC Transformer Primary Oower of unit (240 V or 120 V).
greg
ALL the Power Switches & Neon Indicators used by Weller/Cooper/Apex
over past 60 years are still manufactured and available.
SCANNED Weller Tech Sheets for Weller Soldering Stations
that I have scanned (personal library).
BAMA Mirror : Weller Library
https://bama.edebris.com/manuals/weller/
Majority of those Tech Sheets are North America.
A few are for European models, that have different internal parts (due to electrical regulations 40-50 years ago).
Weller WTCPN Solder Station : Tech Sheet
TC207 is power switch/inducator
https://bama.edebris.com/download/weller/wtcpn/Weller_WTCPN%20Series(old%20style).pdf
Hi, glad to have found your site, I have read your advice with great interest.
Do you have any classic Weller stations for sale?
They don’t make ’em like they used to
Many thanks!
I usually repair a group of legacy Weller stations, then list on eBay.
COVID-19 obviously disrupted this schedule, as I have a large group of working Weller stations (EC, WD series plus TCP) that I need to sell (storage now full).
After repairing since 1975, I am going to retire from repairs in coming years.
greg
Yes, I have some classic WTCP series stations.
Hi Greg, thanks for the update. Are you able to share your ebay channel, so I can keep an eye.
Also, which really is better – the classic wet sponge, or the newer brass wool.
Thanks and atb
There are advantages to both (wet sponge and dry brass), reason both are offered.