Hey folks,
I bought a Pace ADS200 in February of this year. I use it for hobbiest level repair work. Last week, my tip I use most went open. I have used a hakko 935 for almost 20 years and have never had a heating cartridge go open. I've replaced tips due to oxidation, but never have I had a cartridge fail.
I wrote to pace worldwide to inquire what the expected life on their cartridges is and whether there might be a fault with my unit, 2.5 months of use did not seem acceptable. They have not bothered to reply. I went ahead and ordered more tips, but yesterday I had it blow one of the other tips open. This one had barely any use, maybe 2-3 hours over the last two months.
I'm wondering what kind of life the rest of you are getting out of the cartridges? I really think there may be an issue with my unit. Fwiw, I never use a sponge, I know it's harder on plating, but I use the brass wool. The point is, these types are not seeing repeated thermal shock.
Thanks,
Jason
Aaron, thank you for the reply. I sent the email last week when the first tip failed. I had a second tip fail yesterday. The tip yesterday had barely been used. The first one to fail was the one I used primarily. To be clear, the plating has not failed on either tip. Both burned open, and the controller read CHP. The resistance of both tips is infinite, where a good cartridge reads about 4R. I use this as a hobbyist, not in production. Probably 3-4 days a week with less than 4hrs with the unit at temp. I typically run at 600-650° F.
I am very concerned that my controller has an issue. The one tip that had seen the most use, I sort of understand, but I still think that life is abnormally short. The second tip had been used very little. I bought more tips, but I'm concerned that it is just going to blow them open again, and as a hobbyist, I cannot afford to keep throwing money away. I will PM you my email address if you would like to contact me there.
Thank you,
Jason
tweezers for PACE ADS200??
tweezers for PACE ADS200??
Is https://www.accessotronik.com/ the best Canadian distributor? Sadly I find myself just north of the border in BC.
Also, for the instant setback, worth the 75CAD? Not convinced since I will not be using the iron heavily (few times a week, at most), but then again, I would hope the station would last a good few years so maybe it's worth the up front cost.
Beta tests with customers are slated for early August. Product launch in September.
Beta tests with customers are slated for early August. Product launch in September.
Hand up.
I'm a huge fan of Accessotronik as they stock product well and are very supportive to customers.
How does one get the new firmware?
Is a HEX file available for self programming?
I'm a huge fan of Accessotronik as they stock product well and are very supportive to customers.
I did not get that feeling. They are a weird one. Bought a few times from them and they always slow on shipping. No shipping notices. Lastly I just gave up on waiting, just ordered and moved with my life, knowing they will ship it later than sooner.
How does one get the new firmware?
Is a HEX file available for self programming?Unfortunately not. You have to open the front panel and remove/replace a 44 pin PLCC. Yep, old school! I'll send you the latest Rev 1-4 Chip, which takes care of most of the screen weirdness while reaching the initial set temperature (you reported about this in your original review video). I'll send you the chip tomorrow.
How does one get the new firmware?
Is a HEX file available for self programming?Unfortunately not. You have to open the front panel and remove/replace a 44 pin PLCC. Yep, old school! I'll send you the latest Rev 1-4 Chip, which takes care of most of the screen weirdness while reaching the initial set temperature (you reported about this in your original review video). I'll send you the chip tomorrow.
Thanks.
I know you have to replace the chip, but if the hex file was available then people could burn their own.
Concern over clones?
Thanks.
I know you have to replace the chip, but if the hex file was available then people could burn their own.
Concern over clones?
Thanks.
I know you have to replace the chip, but if the hex file was available then people could burn their own.
Concern over clones?
I'd think the ability for hobbyists to be able to alter the programming would increase popularity of the ADS200. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.
Hi
I bought mine from Farnell / Newark in the uk.
I requested the firmware upgrade from 1.2 as the new firmware was already out when I bought a new iron.
Farnell were useless/ bad at communication / didn't follow through and I never did manage to get the update.
Peter
Thanks.
I know you have to replace the chip, but if the hex file was available then people could burn their own.
Concern over clones?I'd think the ability for hobbyists to be able to alter the programming would increase popularity of the ADS200. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.
Thanks.
I know you have to replace the chip, but if the hex file was available then people could burn their own.
Concern over clones?I'd think the ability for hobbyists to be able to alter the programming would increase popularity of the ADS200. I'm surprised it hasn't happened yet.
In theory, yes, in practice most people don't care. They just want their soldering iron to work.
The problem with open sourcing code like this often comes down to product support. Grant, it's only a soldering iron, so not much to go wrong, but still Pace could end fielding support requests for software that isn't theirs. Either bugs, operational issues, or bricked units when people try to upgrade.