JBC Compact CD2-2BE Problem

[kaevee]

Hi,

I am having a problem with JBC soldering stations model CD-2BE. The LCD is almost not readable, but back light is working fine though. I am positive the LCD is showing content though very hard to read.

I would like to know if there is anything I can check on the station before shipping to a service center.

Thanks,

Venkat

[digsys]

UH OH .. I had EXACTLY the same problem with the same unit a couple months ago !! I sent it back for warranty, and 2 months later, still NO reply.
They had to send it back to the manufacturers, and they weren't going to do a swap. NOT happy Jan !! Design fault? You reminded me to hassle them again.
Good luck

[kaevee]

Waiting for two months for resolution is problem is not acceptable. It seem we have very little choice.

The irony is, I have hardly used it. Probably few hours since I bought it about 18 months back.

I am yet to contact the local support. I hope they give some resolution quickly.

Venkat.

[digsys]

Yeah mate .. SAME story .. really pi$$ed off. Luckily I have several other models, some with small tips, so it was easy for me to forget. You reminded me :-)
I bet there are others, maybe a bad batch?

[PTR_1275]

Digsys, dd you buy it from one of the local distributors here in Aus? If so, was it the company starting with M or O or another one?

[wraper]

I guess that LCD contrast voltage was either improperly adjusted at factory or drifted off.

[wraper]

Does JBC have LCD contrast setting in menu? For example ERSA has it in hidden menu which is accessible if pushing encoder during power on.

[digsys]

... did you buy it from one of the local distributors here in Aus? If so, was it the company starting with M or O or another one?

Yup .. the M one :-)  They used to be a great company years ago

[digsys]

Does JBC have LCD contrast setting in menu? For example ERSA has it in hidden menu which is accessible if pushing encoder during power on.

I doubt it drifted, it was sudden ... I did have a look inside, and fiddled around ... so poorly assembled :-(  I was saddened. They used to be precision made once.
I didn't attempt repair / debug, as I could have easily caused more faults.

[wraper]

Does JBC have LCD contrast setting in menu? For example ERSA has it in hidden menu which is accessible if pushing encoder during power on.

I doubt it drifted, it was sudden ... I did have a look inside, and fiddled around ... so poorly assembled :-(  I was saddened. They used to be precision made once.
I didn't attempt repair / debug, as I could have easily caused more faults.

I was meaning station that OP has. As I understood it was from beginning. With this type of LCD basically there are only 2 possibilities: voltages going to it are not right, most likely contrast voltage (set by pot on PCB or MCU) or LCD itself is faulty.

[digsys]

... As I understood it was from beginning ....

Nope. In my case as well. It worked perfectly fine for a few days, then I put it aside for a few weeks? then next time LCD was dead (or 0.1% readable)

[wraper]

... As I understood it was from beginning ....

Nope. In my case as well. It worked perfectly fine for a few days, then I put it aside for a few weeks? then next time LCD was dead (or 0.1% readable)

As I said contrast voltage should have gone off, due to an issue with circuit or MCU setting corruption.

[digsys]

Maybe, but it was still well under warranty. I had a quick look, and decided not to go further. I've bought dozens of JBC stations over many years ... never ever
had this issue. I clearly recall that build quality has really suffered since. I even looked into making that open-source controller once :-) .. maybe I will

[kaevee]

Maybe, but it was still well under warranty. I had a quick look, and decided not to go further. I've bought dozens of JBC stations over many years ... never ever
had this issue. I clearly recall that build quality has really suffered since. I even looked into making that open-source controller once :-) .. maybe I will

Had a word with local JBC support in India. The person whom I spoke to was very helpful and pro-active. My station needs to be sent to spain for fix, which will be handled by India support. But, I was offered a demo unit till I receive my station back.

[digsys]

Had a word with local JBC support in India. The person whom I spoke to was very helpful and pro-active. My station needs to be sent to spain for fix, which will be handled by India support. But, I was offered a demo unit till I receive my station back. 

Great news ... seems India support now exceeds aussie support ... all I got was a bitching - "we don't make hardly any profit on these, so we're strapping it to
the back of a migrating sea turtle ... and we won't ever keep you informed coz we can't afford the phone call ... still NO DAMN WORD !! Ima move to India ...

[kaevee]

Great news ... seems India support now exceeds aussie support ... all I got was a bitching - "we don't make hardly any profit on these, so we're strapping it to
the back of a migrating sea turtle ... and we won't ever keep you informed coz we can't afford the phone call ... still NO DAMN WORD !!

I can understand your frustration. I suppose, they have more activity over here considering the growth in manufacturing industry over here. In fact, I took a big risk with JBC when I bought a full system (soldering, desoldering and hot air). They had no support infrastructure locally. I comforted myself by thinking as they are respected across the world and I can bank on that.

Ima move to India ...

You are most welcome 

Venkat

[Capa-Alpha]

Had a word with local JBC support in India. The person whom I spoke to was very helpful and pro-active. My station needs to be sent to spain for fix, which will be handled by India support. But, I was offered a demo unit till I receive my station back. 

Great news ... seems India support now exceeds aussie support ... all I got was a bitching - "we don't make hardly any profit on these, so we're strapping it to
the back of a migrating sea turtle ... and we won't ever keep you informed coz we can't afford the phone call ... still NO DAMN WORD !! Ima move to India ...

This is not a distributor problem, it is a JBC support policy problem. JBC requires all distributors to ship all stations with defects or warranty issues back to Spain, no matter where you are located, USA, Australia or Brazil. JBC also does not provide replacement units to the distributor. Some distributors will provide a loaner unit out their own pocket, but this is very cost prohibitive to most dealers. Earlier in the year, I bought a JBC CD-BE Soldering Station which died in the 2nd month I had it, and it took over 3 months to get it back. As a result, I ended up buying a PACE ADS200, which works better than the CD-BE, and costs half the price. Tips are also much cheaper than the JBC, like 1/3 the price. Because of their poor customer service and declining quality, I will never buy another JBC product.   

[digsys]

.... which died in the 2nd month I had it, and it took over 3 months to get it back ....

Just got mine back today ... same - over 3 months. Even though it only ever had a few hrs use, they sent a brand new latest version???
Was the last design / model that unrepairable / unreliable? Well, it's the ONLY minor incident out of 2+ dozen various units over 10+ yrs, so I'll let it pass.
IF anything like that happens again, at least I know to prepare for it :-) I have NO issues with the irons.

[kaevee]

Just got mine back today ... same - over 3 months. Even though it only ever had a few hrs use, they sent a brand new latest version???
Was the last design / model that unrepairable / unreliable? Well, it's the ONLY minor incident out of 2+ dozen various units over 10+ yrs, so I'll let it pass.
IF anything like that happens again, at least I know to prepare for it :-) I have NO issues with the irons.

It is good to know it is stray incident. I was worried for a moment considering the shipping, customs and taxes I have paid for this.

I am yet to send mine for replacement. I had to ship it to the local support office and yet to find time.