ERSA i-CON 1 - Teardown and Repair (Success)

[HighVoltage]

ERSA will only give out firmware info on systems that can officially be upgraded by the enduser via sd card. They are really nice on the phone, when you order parts but very tight about anything that is not officially available.

Does yours still support all the extra tools?

I am only using the iTool
Which other tools were compatible to the iCon 1?

[frozenfrogz]

The early iCon 1 accepts the i-Tool, Tech tool (X Tool), Power tool, Chip tool and Micro tool (non-vario tools).
The later iCon 1 only accepts the i-Tool and you would have to buy a 1V if you want to use other tools AFAIK.

[HighVoltage]

Interesting...
I guess I came too late to the party then, because my early iCon 1 from 2011 would not accept any other tools, except the iTool.

Do you have a iCon 1 that accepts these other tools?
If so, what firmware do you have installed?

[frozenfrogz]

As stated in reply #74, I am on FW 2.02.

There are (at least) two versions of the iCon 1:
Early version simply reads "iCon" on the front. This one supports all the tools listed above.
Later versions read "iCon 1". Those only support the iTool. Ersa split the iCon series into the iCon 1, 1C (remote control interface), 1V (Variotools etc.), 2 and so on for profit reasons I guess.

[wraper]

As stated in reply #74, I am on FW 2.02.

There are (at least) two versions of the iCon 1:
Early version simply reads "iCon" on the front. This one supports all the tools listed above.
Later versions read "iCon 1". Those only support the iTool. Ersa split the iCon series into the iCon 1, 1C (remote control interface), 1V (Variotools etc.), 2 and so on for profit reasons I guess.

1V/2V certainly has newer electronics as it has microSD card slot. Tools other than i-tool require additional components. So even if I-CON 1 has the same PCB as older version, it should have some components not populated.

[valendorn]

hello guys 
I'm having the same problem right now, I'm getting error code 71
Will it really be enough to replace the soldering iron pen tool, or is it worth digging deeper and looking for a problem on the motherboard of the soldering station?
first the screen displays the extreme temperature of 999 degrees, and then this code 71
the heating element and the thermocouple sensor seem to be in good condition, the resistance corresponds within to the manual

[HighVoltage]

Most i-Con 1 problems are solved by using a new pen tool.

If you have the opportunity to borrow and working handle, it is a good way to start.
I have seen many broken hand tools.

 

[valendorn]

thanks, i will try to find serviceable pen tool
I checked the resistor 222, it is normal, and the triac t25cq6f is also whole

[frozenfrogz]

I checked the resistor 222, it is normal

Careful!
If I remember correctly, the resistor on my board measured OK when cold, but was totally out of spec when hot.

a) check with a known good tool
b) test the resistor while heating with a hot air station or simply replace it to see if the station shows different behavior afterwards