Hi Ne_0, I have the same problem with one of my stations based on the old unisolder 5.2 release. And at least the member SpeedProg has the same problem.
I couldn't figure out what is the problem until now. The hardware seeems to be ok.
The interesting thing is that the temp reading was rock stable with some older firmware releases on the same station.
I do have a stron desire to write some kind of manual for connections and creating profiles, but I am very short of time these days, and this tend to be pretty time consuming.
I would really appreciate if we could have such a manual sometime in the future. Maybe including some tips regarding compiling the software and the necessary prerequisites too......
Thank you very much for your commitment and continued support for this project.
Then I removed the unnecessary metal sheets and build my own one. In the small 3D printed box is the contact sensor connected via a 200k resistor to the base plate. It works fine, no problems so far.
I have again some question: I'm using two unisolder stations with the newest firmware, but not with the latest bootloader (because the buttons are fine for me). - But the preselected temperature ranges don't work anymore, except T2. If I press the first button I see "SET" (and NOT "T1") on the left side and the temperature didn't change to the preset value. The same with T3. T2 is working as expected. Is the bootloader update a must? - On one station the room temperature reading is changing fast (see attached file). I don't think this is the firmware. Should I exchange the temp chip?
I kindly ask you to stop personal "fight's" and other messages, not related to technical topics regarding this project. sparkybg has also been asked to stop this and he deserves our respect, donating a lot of his time to this project.
You can clarify everything in private messages if you feel unfairly treated....
It would also be nice if we all are using English on this board, so everyone can follow the discussion (if it is related to technical topics). (Yes I know there is google translate, but at the latest searching a topic it's difficult then..)
Thank you all. And thank you to sparkybg for his patience.
Hi sparkybg, in this video you are using a Pace TD200 Blue handle. 1) Is this profile now standard in the "official" software? If not, is there a new profile necessary? 2) What is your experience with this handle in comparison to the JBC245? 3) How is the correct HW connection for this handle (including resistor)?
With your last software I have a strange behaviour in my Unisolder station regarding room temperature. The room temperature reading changes like crazy between 22°-35°C. Then I reverted back to an older release (where no temp info in the Instrument Info display, only in the Calibration menu) then the reading was stable at 22°C. Did you change something here or do I have a problem with the sensor?
Hi sparkybg, I'm using a JBC245 handle with original tips. Room sensor is measuring 22°C I repeated my measurements already: Display temp tip temp measured with 200° 188° Sn60Pb38Cu2 solder and a fake Hakko FG-100 240° 227° Felder Sn100Ni+ solder (melting temp. 227°) and a fake Hakko FG-100 300° 280° fake Hakko FG-100 350 327° fake Hakko FG-100
As I said, my calibration is a bit off and an enclosure without ventilation holes could be the difference....
Please give more details on this. What instrument, how much it was, and how much is it now?What was the problem?
JBC245 Handle , temperature on tip 183°C, on display around 220°C, now the offset is around 15°C, but I think the calibration is also a bit off. I'm sure with a new calibration it will be fine (at least for me).
With the new option in the software for testing both channels I could see, that the board was working fine. So I renewed the cabling (incl. connectors) between handle and station and then both tips were at the same temperature.
Don't let other people's ideas mislead your mind. Thank you very much for your efforts
I fully agree with xystwr. There is no "best design", everyone can freely choose his favourite. Sparkybg has done and is doing a great job in supporting us regarding SW and HW for the Unisolder station. We've seen a substantial progress in features and error correction in the past few weeks, a lot more than without sparkygb's contribution the years before. With these new releases: 1) The temperature offset has nearly gone 2) I was able to find the problem regarding the temperature difference in channel 1 and channel 2 for the tweezer. 3) The tweezer is working now better than ever.
Therefore a big thank you to sparkybg again for his contribution and patience to answer nearly every question...
1. You must calibrate it. (see about calibration procedure)
The station is calibrated according to the calibration procedure. The temperature offset between real tip temperature and display is still there. Is it correct that this problem can solved changing R57/R59 ? Is there any possibility to implement a menu point to adjust at least the display reading for a specific handle? That would be great!
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2. You obviously have a problem on one of the channels. And since the amplifier is the same for 2 channels, it can be that one of the current sources for SENSEA and SENSEB is malfunctioning - I had this issue yesterday - one of the transistors was dead (shortcircuited) and the current source was giving 16 times more current than it should give.
You mean transistors Q18,Q19,Q21,Q22 ?
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3. If you are measuring the tempereture with thermometer that is not "closed chamber" one (which is expensive, so I doubt it is), the thermometer loads the tip (especially the smaller tips) and the temperature is not correct. Also, I do have, and I tried another thermometer that are not correct even when measuring 63/37 solder melting pooint (which is 183 degrees). For example, mine shows 170 degrees. And it is clearly visible where the melting point is, because the solder is eutectic and while it solidifies, it stays for a few seconds at exactly the melting temperature of the solder (like ice stays at 0 degrees while melting).
So, instead of measuring the temperature, I use 63/37 solder, and tunning the coefficients so that when set to 182 degrees, the solder is solid and while set on 184 degrees, the solder is liquid. The same can be done with pure lead, which melts at 327.5 degrees, and even with pure zinc, which melts at 419.5 degrees. But zinc is too active and attacks the tip much harder, so I never used it.
I've checked the temperature with a 63/67 solder as you mentioned several times.
first of all I would like to say a big thank you for your support and continuous development regarding this project.
The solder station works great, I bought also a JBC microtweezer AM120-A (quite expensive....) lately.
Using this Microtweezer I had the following "minor" problems:
1) Temperature offset between real tip temperature and display (tip temperature about 40° lower than display reading). Is it correct that this problem can solved changing R57/R59 ? Is there any possibility to implement a menu point to adjust at least the display reading for a specific handle? That would be great!
2) But a more annoying problem is a high temperature difference (also about 40° C )between the two tips of the Microtweezer! For example the display shows 260° C, then one tip of the Microtweezer has a real temperature of about 220° (offset mentioned in 1), but the other tip only 180° ! And this is really a problem during soldering small components. I have no idea what can be the root cause for this difference between the tips (I swapped also the tips, the error remains on the same channel, e.g. not tip related) I would really appreciate, if you could support me how I can solve this error or indicate what could be the problem.
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