SS-988B 6 IN 1 Multifunction Soldering Iron/Desoldering Station FAQ and support

Instructions of the desoldering iron gun

WARNINGS:

1. To avoid injury or damage to the desoldering gun, do not touch the metallic parts near the nozzle or use it near flammable items.

2. Always unplug the gun before any maintenance except for removing the solder waste.

3. If the pump does not work, clean the nozzle & heater and replace the filter immediately.

4. After use, the solder waste will be stored in the pipe. Clean it in time otherwise the solder waste will block the desoldering gun, or the solder waste will get oxidized (lead free solder’s melting point is 220℃, non-lead free solder’s melting point is 180℃), swelled and stuck on the inner wall tightly. It can't be removed even with the cleaning pin.

 

Please follow the steps below to clean the solder waste:

1. Push the knob up to unlock the back holder.

2. Take the spring out from the glass tube, then clean the solder waste.

3. Put the spring back to glass tube, then put glass tube back. Press the back holder, then the knob will bullet down and become locked automatically.

 Instruction：

1. After each operation is finished, let the desoldering gun suck in the air 3-5 times soon, which can clean the solder waste inside the pipe.

2. If the operation interval is about 20 minutes, use the cleaning tool to clean the pipe after having the desoldering gun suck in the air.

3. When you find the desoldering efficiency gets down, please use the cleaning pin to clean the pipe immediately.

4. If the operation interval is long, it is advised to adjust the temperature to about 200℃. When you use it again, you can reset it to the working temperature.

5. When the glass tube has absorbed about 1/2 solder waste, clean it immediately. When you find the filter is getting hardened, replace it immediately.

How to determine the fault of heater:

Disconnect the plug and measure the resistance value between the desoldering gun connecting plug pins as follows.

a. Between pins 1&2 (Sensor)	about 1Ω (at room temperature 25℃)
b. Between pins 3&4 (Heater)	2Ω±1Ω (at room temperature 25℃)
c. Between pins 5&6	0Ω (after connect with control switch        and press the switch)
d. Between pins 7&2	open or 0Ω(shaking gun)

If the values of 'a' or 'b' are far away from the normal values above, replace the heater or sensor. If the values of 'd' is different from the value above，sleep mode is not working.

 

Replace the heater:

1. Disconnect the power plug and wait till the desoldering gun cools down to room temperature.

2. Unscrew and disassemble it.

3. Cut off the wires of the broken heater and replace it with a new one(model no. 5SS-988-H).

4. Connect heater：

Put the heater into the bakelite and insert the wires into heat shrink tubes(∅3x25mm) and metal tubes (∅2x6mm). Connect the wires, move the metal tubes to the connections and fix them with a crimping tool. Move the heat shrink tubes to the connections and heat shrink them.
--Connect the long blue wire (earth) with the yellow wire in the handle.
--Connect the two white wires (heater) with the two red wires separately, no need to distinguish positive electrode and negative electrode.
-- Connect the two blue wires (sensor) with the black and the blue wires in the handle, no need to distinguish positive electrode and negative electrode.

5. Measure the resistance values again and make sure the values are correct. Short-circuit the desoldering gun nozzle and the metal shell of the plug, and the resistance value should be 0Ω.

6. Assemble the desoldering gun, during which be careful not to damage the wires or put any part into the wrong position.

Notice: The wire colors are only for your reference. They may be changed without notice. Any repair or maintenance work must be done by professionals.

Faulty heater Disassemble the unit：
1. Turn the nut counterclockwise and remove the tip enclosure and the tip.

2. Turn the nut counterclockwise and remove it from the iron.

3. Pull both of the heater and the cord assembly out of the handle. (Toward the iron tip direction)

Measure when the heater is at room temperature.
1. Resistance value of the heater (resistance between the 2 red wires)≈1Ω

2. Resistance value of the sensor (resistance between the 2 blue wires) ≈50Ω

If the resistance value is not normal, replace the heater.
NOTE：Wire colors may differ from actual.

Replace the heater. (9SS-988-HT)
1. Desolder the faulty heater's leads and remove the heater.

2. Replace it with a new one and solder it to PCB properly.

3. Solder the two leads of the heater to the other side of PCB. Bend the leads at a right angle when soldering to avoid short-circuit

After the heater is replaced.
1. Measure the resistance value between pins 2&5 or pins 3&5 or pins 1&5. If it is not open（∞), the heater or sensor may be in contact with the earthed casing. The problem must be solved otherwise it will damage the PCB.

2. Measure the resistance values between all leads to check whether they are normal. Make sure the leads and the earthed spring are well connected.

 

The Pro’sKit SS-988 series is a 6-in-1 multifunction soldering and desoldering rework station that combines soldering, desoldering with solder suction, fume extraction, automatic soldering-tip cleaning, LED work lighting, and USB output. It is suitable for electronics repair tasks that require soldering, solder removal, and basic support functions at one workbench, reducing the need to place multiple separate devices on the bench.

The SS-988 series is suitable for electronics production lines, computer and laptop repair, mobile phone repair, electrical and plumbing service work, and training equipment. It combines soldering, suction desoldering, fume extraction, and cleaning in a single workstation, making it more convenient for users who frequently handle PCB solder joints, component removal and installation, or repair training. The operating temperature should still be set according to the heat tolerance of the component being worked on.

Both the SS-988 soldering iron and desoldering gun have a temperature range of 160°C to 480°C and support switching between Celsius and Fahrenheit display. The panel uses a two-color backlit LCD. After about 10 minutes without operation, the unit enters sleep mode and the temperature drops to 200°C, helping reduce prolonged high-temperature standby during extended work. Before resuming use, confirm that the set temperature is appropriate for the workpiece.

The SS-988 desoldering gun has a maximum heating power of 130W and is paired with a 50W air pump. Its suction is rated at more than 600mmHg, and the operating temperature is adjustable from 160°C to 480°C. These specifications support solder removal and component desoldering in general electronics repair. Actual efficiency will still depend on the amount of solder, solder-joint area, temperature setting, and whether the suction path is clear.

The SS-988 also integrates a 5W fume extractor, a 2W soldering-tip cleaner, 5W LED lighting, and a DC5V 1A USB output. The fume extraction airflow is rated at 1.0m³/min; the LED is approximately 100lm with a color temperature of 6000K; and the cleaner provides holes for solder removal and oxidation removal. These functions consolidate common auxiliary tasks at the workstation. Devices connected to the USB output should match the 5V 1A specification.

The SS-988B, SS-988H, and SS-988E share the same core specifications for soldering, solder suction, fume extraction, cleaning, and temperature control. The main differences are the input power requirements and market versions. The B and H models use AC220–240V 50Hz, while the E model uses AC110–120V 60Hz; certification information also varies by model. Before purchase, check the product nameplate for voltage, frequency, and local operating requirements rather than relying only on the series name.

The SS-988 includes an activated-carbon filter sponge, filter pads in different sizes, 0.7/0.9/1.2mm cleaning needles, 1.0/1.2/1.5mm desoldering nozzles, a 1.0mm/10g solder-wire spool, plus a 2-in-1 soldering-iron stand, cleaning ball, and sponge. The soldering iron is supplied with a 5SI-216N-B tip. Consumable items still need to be replenished or replaced based on wear or clogging after use.

After each job, immediately run the SS-988 desoldering gun with no material 3–5 times to help clear residual solder from the tube. If there is an interval of about 20 minutes between tasks, use the cleaning needle to clear the passage. Clean the gun immediately if desoldering efficiency drops. Remove solder waste when the glass tube is about half full, and replace the filter pad if it becomes hard. For a long period of non-use, the temperature can first be reduced to about 200°C.

If the SS-988 LCD is blank, first confirm that the power cord and plug are securely connected, then check whether the fuse is damaged. The fuse specification is Ø5×20mm, 3.15A/250V; replace a damaged fuse only with one of the same rating. If the power supply and fuse are normal but the display remains blank, stop attempting self-repair and have the unit inspected by a dealer or qualified service technician.

The heater element for the SS-988 soldering iron is 9SS-988-HT, and the heater element for the desoldering gun is 5SS-988-H. Before replacement, disconnect power and wait until the tool cools to room temperature. After replacement, the relevant resistance values and grounding condition must be measured again. Because the procedure involves disassembly, wiring, and safety checks, heater-element replacement should be performed by a qualified professional with repair capability.