Aixun T3A overshooting?

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Can’t be. Why doesn’t mine have your symptoms? If you don’t mind, in what countries are the others? Does it have to do using 220 vs 110V?

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

I've now found others reporting the same issue I am reporting. As speculated, it sounds like it's something to do on how the station is measuring the temperature. I'm yet to get a feedback from Aixun but the fact that others are seeing the same probably means it's "normal".

I guess the vast majority of people won't use a pre-heater or solder on grounded equipment.

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Aixun asked me to contact their support team directly at this address? https://www.jcprogrammer.com/

Who is making those stations in the end?

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Ok, then I hope mine is defective!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

The Aixun was the best bang for the buck when I researched and ordered mine. I am so happy with mine, I even got the T12 pencil and elements. Wouldn’t consider trading it.

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

I didn't know Aixun had an official store but I bought it from a recommended store based on SDG Electronics review. So finger crossed.

1.34 behaves differently than 1.33. On 1.33 I have "no tools" when the "fault" shows up. On 1.34, the power jumps 0-100% until I remove the tip and by that time the overshoot is +120C.

Slightly off topic, what is an alternative for a T245 station without spending an arm and a leg?

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Nah, it’s something electrical related, not firmware based. That’s what I think anyway.

I did buy mine from Aixun official store through Ali.

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Maybe I should try that LOL!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Running firmware 1.26

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

well that's great news I guess! What FW are you on?

Let's hope Aixun replies with something helpful!

Really appreciated the time you spent on doing this test for me!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

I think your T3A is faulty.
Indeed there was a cable that came with it, just mine has banana plugs on both sides. I plugged that in, put a crocodile clip to it and grounded out the outside of a USB port, then started solder around on the case and everywhere else, no problem. Grounded out an old VHF tranceiver and I solder around like nobody’s business. I did exactly that what you did in the YouTube video. My T3A works just fine, as it supposed to. My T245 pencil does not hum and that ground point on the back of the T3A is connected to the earth pin on the AC cable. I measured abou 0.05VDC between the hot tip and that ground point.
So yours must have “special features”. Lol

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

yes it's coming from the handle.

This is the video I have sent Aixun for review.

https://youtu.be/KzfpZB6R6js

That said, @Capleaker, I won't be able to go back to my standard iron. For fun I tried de-soldering a power connector from an XBOX 360 board. Half of the pins were the shell of the connector itself. It's taken a while, with braid, but I did it and didn't damage anything. Impressive.

[stj]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

so the buzzing is the tip/cartridge, not the base?

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

little update: I tried FW 1.34 and... well the "NO TOOLS" error is not there anymore but I can see the power jumping 0-100% most of the time on those "affected" joints. The display keeps saying 350C but if I quickly measure the tip it's at 450C. +100C overshoot.

I feel this is a design flaw they're trying to hide by software.

And yes, the handle is making a much quieter buzzing noise with 1.34.

I really can't believe I'm the only one reporting this online.

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

sleep function?

What did I miss? Are you suggesting it could be related to the sleep function?

[stj]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

so this is related to the sleep-function?
can it be disabled in the menu's?

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

The crocodile lead came with the station so you might have it somewhere - and thanks for testing for me!

Pre-heating is mostly for BGA rework - I wish the T245 could do that

Once a BGA chip is pulled I need to clean the pads. The board is still going to be on a pre-heater at that stage. And at that point I would be concerned about injecting 1V into components which might not like 1V at 1.5A to be honest.

Anyways the pre-heater is an example. I'm sure there are tons of situations where you might have ground connected to the item you are soldering.

And again the measured voltage is a concern IMHO.

thanks again!

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

I am going to try that with my solder station tomorrow and see what happens, if I can find a plug to fit that jack in the back.

I don’t have a pre-heater, just use the brute force of the T245.
If memory serves me right there are ungrounded pencils for it too.
Very interesting feature, for sure. My Weller WD-1 has a transformer inside.

[tony359]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

Ok but that was only an example, ignore that it comes from the station and imagine it comes from the mains socket, the result is the same.

Scenario 1: My motherboard is on a GROUNDED preheating station. I cannot un-ground it!
The motherboard will inevitably touch the pre-heater hence the motherboard is grounded.

In that scenario, I see the issue you see in the video. This is how I discovered it. I was soldering on a pre-heater.

We also have the 1V 1.5A at the tip which is concerning, IMHO.

Can I possibly be the only one on the planet noticing this "design feature" with this very well reviewed station?

[CapLeaker]

Re: Aixun T3A overshooting?

That ground I thing is either to go to ESD device or to a docking station. Not to ground your PCB with