Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

David Roberts · 13th Jan 2011, 9:58 am

Hi,

Does anyone know how to open a WTCP50 without resorting to a club hammer and chisel? I thought that these units were supposed to be eminently repairable. However, it seems that the first step to a successful service (actually opening the thing up) was forgotten at the design stage…

Advice (sensible) would be much appreciated.

Regards,

David

newlite4 · 13th Jan 2011, 10:41 am

Hello David and welcome to the forum

. I have just had a look at the WTCP units at work and can see no obvious means of entry. There may be screws under the four rubber feet, but more likely a tool is inserted into each of the tiny rectangular holes at each corner to release the front and rear panels. Weller have progressively presented us with more and more ingenious puzzles to prevent us getting into their stuff, try dismantling a WHS40 iron to replace the cable, it cant be done

.
Neil

Omegaman · 13th Jan 2011, 11:30 am

Hi,
The Weller power supplies are a one-time fix together thing.
The plastic clips will break when you open it, unfortunately.
Easy to repair, but a swine to get into!!!

Regards

Alistair D · 13th Jan 2011, 12:35 pm

I am sure the top of the case slides backwards.

Al

davegsm82 · 13th Jan 2011, 1:18 pm

I opened one a while ago, if I remember right there are 2 clips at the top of the black front panel and 2 at the back.

The sides have locating tabs which keep it all together and looking ship-shape.

If you break the tabs, just glue it, actually mounting captive nuts etc in one is a nightmare.

Interestingly, the easiest way I found to open one is dropping from about 1-2ft onto soft ground, no clip breakage last time

Dave.

13th Jan 2011, 9:58 am	#1
David Roberts Retired Dormant Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: East Sussex, UK. Posts: 5	Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit Hi, Does anyone know how to open a WTCP50 without resorting to a club hammer and chisel? I thought that these units were supposed to be eminently repairable. However, it seems that the first step to a successful service (actually opening the thing up) was forgotten at the design stage… Advice (sensible) would be much appreciated. Regards, David

13th Jan 2011, 10:41 am	#2
newlite4 Octode Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Bath, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,805	Re: Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit Hello David and welcome to the forum . I have just had a look at the WTCP units at work and can see no obvious means of entry. There may be screws under the four rubber feet, but more likely a tool is inserted into each of the tiny rectangular holes at each corner to release the front and rear panels. Weller have progressively presented us with more and more ingenious puzzles to prevent us getting into their stuff, try dismantling a WHS40 iron to replace the cable, it cant be done . Neil __________________ preserving the recent past, for the distant future.

13th Jan 2011, 11:30 am	#3
Omegaman Hexode Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK. Posts: 250	Re: Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit Hi, The Weller power supplies are a one-time fix together thing. The plastic clips will break when you open it, unfortunately. Easy to repair, but a swine to get into!!! Regards __________________ Howard G7AJN/M3OCL "How hard can it be?" - Jeremy Clarkson

13th Jan 2011, 12:35 pm	#4
Alistair D Nonode Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Edinburgh, UK. Posts: 2,008	Re: Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit I am sure the top of the case slides backwards. Al __________________ I won't tell you how I discovered that.

13th Jan 2011, 1:18 pm	#5
davegsm82 Heptode Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Blyth, Northumberland, UK. Posts: 858	Re: Recalcitrant Weller WTCP Power Unit I opened one a while ago, if I remember right there are 2 clips at the top of the black front panel and 2 at the back. The sides have locating tabs which keep it all together and looking ship-shape. If you break the tabs, just glue it, actually mounting captive nuts etc in one is a nightmare. Interestingly, the easiest way I found to open one is dropping from about 1-2ft onto soft ground, no clip breakage last time Dave.