Any opinions on the Aixun T420D?

[litris]

My interpretation of this marketing material is following:

• 200W high-power transformer -- this is literally the power rating of the transformer. Nothing is said how much power is delivered to the tip(s).
• 400W peak power -- two cold high-power tips (C245966) could potentially draw 400W from a power supply with a 200W transformer, during 2-seconds of warm-up.
• 100W peak power -- note that the leaflet mentions T210 handle. A C210 tip is likely to deliver up to 50W continuously.

Yes it looks like it.

And all three models support 2 at a time but the 100w the T410 would only run one at a time.

The 200W both at the same time but one at full power.

And the T420D both handles could use full power.

In the specs it says T420D 200w continuous and 400w peak.

The T420 says 200w only and in other places on the web it says 100w each output and in others 120w each output.

And the T410 100W peak and 50w continuous.

But outwardly they are identical you only know if you see the inside and the transformer.

I think there are sellers that sell one for the other just changing the sticker because if you don't open it you don't see it.

So there are videos where they go both at once and other users claim that only one works at a time the other stops working, in this case have received the T410 instead of the T420 because the latter if it works both at once, Aixun says in videos and shows it.

You have to know where to buy them.

[mebel]

Mine was delivered today.
Bought here

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805833443815.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.3ad61802QptNtH&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&aff_fcid=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&aff_fsk=_ePNSNV&aff_platform=portals-tool&sk=_ePNSNV&aff_trace_key=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&terminal_id=f66b0fa9eb23415586c911e54c0141a6&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Made date 30.08.2023
Firmware 1.13
Aixun app recognizes it as T420D.
Flashed newest firmware for T420D v1.24
Inside the transformer is 220VA.
On the display there is "T420D" info.

Had to pay tax and duty.

[litris]

Mine was delivered today.
Bought here

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805833443815.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.3ad61802QptNtH&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&aff_fcid=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&aff_fsk=_ePNSNV&aff_platform=portals-tool&sk=_ePNSNV&aff_trace_key=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&terminal_id=f66b0fa9eb23415586c911e54c0141a6&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Made date 30.08.2023
Firmware 1.13
Aixun app recognizes it as T420D.
Flashed newest firmware for T420D
Inside the transformer is 220VA.
On the display there is "T420D" info.

Thank you for the information.

That seller has the same one with 3 tips included and I am in contact with him and he told me it was 120w he sent me a screenshot.

He did not behave well at all and I am looking for another seller.

I asked him if the taxes were included so as not to pay customs and he told me to buy it first 🤷🏻‍♂️

[litris]

Inside the transformer is 220VA.

This would be about 180W or a little less.

It would be correct for a T420

[mebel]

T420D has the same 220VA transformer.

[mebel]

"He did not behave well at all and I am looking for another seller.

I asked him if the taxes were included so as not to pay customs and he told me to buy it first 🤷🏻‍♂️"

You misunderstood it, the Aliexpress store decides when to reduce the price by tax, this is shown on the last purchase screen.
Generally, if the price of the item exceeds EUR 150, you always pay the tax upon delivery.

[litris]

You misunderstood it, the Aliexpress store decides when to reduce the price by tax, this is shown on the last purchase screen.
Generally, if the price of the item exceeds EUR 150, you always pay the tax upon delivery.

Ahh ok! 🤦🏻‍♂️

I will use your link!

In the description of the link you send me it does show the actual power of 200W.

The one I have from the same seller shows 120W power but includes 3 tips.

I have never used a K tip.

All my tips were on normal JBC soldering irons and de-soldering irons a little flat and 1.6mm the flat 0.8mm and so I have run over 30 years the other years I used JBC but the smd handle of those years used very thin tips almost unusable.

With the regular JBC handle I used the round one.

Then the faster Chinese stations came out and I switched to the handle and tip I now use 907A.

I am not a newbie but I never used any other type of tip and I have many but it is slow to change.

Why did you choose that tip?

Is it practical?

Just to use your link and ask if you can send another tip or buy later a JBC if it supports it.

The tip in the photo is the one I have been using for many years, I don't know which one is the equivalent or the K could use the thin part, the pack of 3 tips with the T420 I have says 100W.

Thank you.

[litris]

Just sent me a message from the seller and it is correct the T420 is 200W the store data was wrong.

Just in case I will use your link with only one tip because it shows the 200w and it is good for testing.

If I choose the version with three tips it shows 100W and I could not claim it is only 18€ more but it says 100W.

Thanks for all the information, I like this station, I was going to buy the T420D to forget about it but never in all my years I have never needed two handles, I could use one for SMD and one for normal use but I end up using one for everything.

[litris]

Mine was delivered today.
Bought here

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256805833443815.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.10.3ad61802QptNtH&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&dp=3017e259323f8fbd408a8e24a70a5290&af=2089403&cv=47843&afref=https%3A%2F%2Fakcedeals.eu%2F&mall_affr=pr3&utm_source=admitad&utm_medium=cpa&utm_campaign=2089403&utm_content=47843&aff_fcid=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&aff_fsk=_ePNSNV&aff_platform=portals-tool&sk=_ePNSNV&aff_trace_key=04343d7c37354a90a654709247365387-1710442351646-05120-_ePNSNV&terminal_id=f66b0fa9eb23415586c911e54c0141a6&afSmartRedirect=y&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa4itemAdapt

Made date 30.08.2023
Firmware 1.13
Aixun app recognizes it as T420D.
Flashed newest firmware for T420D v1.24
Inside the transformer is 220VA.
On the display there is "T420D" info.

Had to pay tax and duty.

When I click to pay AliExpress deducts the taxes.

I have asked the seller what to do but AliExpress blocks messages that talk about customs fees and I do not know how to say whether to block the messages, if he sends it somehow to pass customs without costs or with the minimum costs.

Once I had an item blocked in customs because it does not carry documentation and it was an ordeal then I paid the same taxes as it cost me the shipment because you have to pay the paperwork or the person who is responsible for processing it.

How did you do it?

I am going to buy it from the same site and the same link.

Did you talk to him before?

I am from the EU zone

How much did you pay in fees, customs clearance?

Thank you.

[mebel]

Yes, I asked him to send me a station with 200w transformer and with t420D firmware.
He agreed.
I paid 23 percent tax and small amount of duty.

[litris]

Yes, I asked him to send me a station with 200w transformer and with t420D firmware.
He agreed.
I paid 23 percent tax and small amount of duty.

Perfect!

Another seller has been kinder and has explained it to me perfectly I leave a screenshot.

Sometimes it is better to buy where the deal is nicer, but I will still do it with your link that I know I reach you well.

But I will wait if he answers me.

[mebel]

My seller also declared low value but it didn't help.

[hasbihal]

Does anyone have the same issue?

Yes the Trafo is not completely silent , if you mean the typical trafo buzzing which goes up down exactly same as energy meter at display.

If ionly that and not really loud it’s normal for that stations trafo type , how it works , that power
There are different trafo types and ways to build to make it way more silent but that’s nothing expectable from a china clone .

Clones with DC (switching power supply ) could be very quiet but have their own problems with cartridges made for AC.
Really expensive trafo systems are way quieter too but still hearable. My pace is not really one of the silent ones and is about ⅓ as loud.
<40W trafo systems could be nearly unhearable (but what I mean as nearly unhearable could be too loud for someone else).

The trafo and the 2CH was the reason for me to buy that one , but I have known before it’s not  silent , but my fume exhaust ventilation is not really silent too - a old GPU fan with a filter mounted on backside which turns on at full speed if I take any handle out of it’s cradle (and if soldering often you should have one too).

But could be a fault too if really loud, itself like unsymmetrical windings , broken  or electronic fault …. Or even from your side ; bad energy with a lot of noise , unsymmetrical AC , bad ground , voltage, frequency ….  (more unlikely in a private household that that  from other devices , but  bad energy supplier or bad installations ….). Or it stays at a non stable easy vibrating surface.
Or simply mechanically , maybe from shipping , like loose  screws , direct contact to plastic housing (instead of that thin rubber). Station has potential to make it quieter too through better damping , decoupling , weight , better housing/case . As it is it’s a thin lightweight plastic case with thin rubber as decoupling without damping and thin rubber as feets too.

Coming back to this..

I kinda regret buying the T420 now tbh.. If I knew about the buzzing beforehand, I would've bought the T3A instead (plus apparently the buzzing there is fixable) and it would cost alot less..

Also; I got the left cradle now, and with both cradles and handles (left T210, right T245) connected, the buzzing is worse.

[litris]

Coming back to this..

I kinda regret buying the T420 now tbh.. If I knew about the buzzing beforehand, I would've bought the T3A instead (plus apparently the buzzing there is fixable) and it would cost alot less..

Also; I got the left cradle now, and with both cradles and handles (left T210, right T245) connected, the buzzing is worse.

For me and for almost every type of system, a teroidal transformer is much better than a switched one.

The ones I have do not make noise but they must be very well secured and insulated with a large rubber washer where it is attached, this prevents or minimizes vibrations.

But what happens to you is that if you demand more power, it will make more noise.

But if it makes a lot of noise or is bad or is a T410 or a T405 with a T420 label, it only changes the power it delivers, which is about 100w for one and 75w or less for the other.

It is only known from the weight of 4,406kg that of 200w and 400w peak the largest is the T420D.

But only if it is a lot of noise would I complain.

In the end I haven't bought it, customs is a hassle. I prefer to buy another way, that the shipping is from the EU (some sellers do it for a small amount) or that the taxes are included in the price or buying a cheaper one like the T3A Although I don't like the switched power supply, this way I avoid customs problems.

Sometimes they did not send the documentation and it was chaos, I had to go to customs to solve it and it was not easy to get the documentation, in the end I paid double the price of the item.

There is my fear, I don't know why AliExpress eliminates taxes on items over €150.

If anyone knows a seller who sent it in another way, let me know, I would appreciate it and in the end I was going to buy the T420D because I don't like the limitations, in your case if you add a Nas handle and one more support, you spend the same as a complete set of the T420D with two handles.

[neverendingstudent]

After listening to Louis Rossman's video where he talks about new technology soldering stations (cartridges / heater-in-tip tech) vs old technology (ceramic stick heating elements with metal sleeves) and how even a knockoff new-tech station is strongly preferable to a name-brand old-tech station, I decided to look into options and quality for a midrange purchase: not the high expense of JBC, but a higher end Chinese model.  Preference given to the 245 cartridge type since it seems to be widely used and widely available.

I'm glad I took the time to research and came across the videos and discussion outlining the voltage-at-tip, runaway heating and deceptive temp display issues of the Aixun T3A, because at first I was leaning towards buying that model.  Thank you to the EEVBlog community members and YouTube creators who took note of and shared those problems.  Random commentary on the ghosting / no response treatment some users and YouTubers have reported when trying to bring these issues up with Aixun: apparently there is a huge cultural issue for Chinese with 'admitting fault' - from what I've read (socially, culturally, and in business) they can't admit fault or error without it being a huge loss of face, so you end up with these situations where they will straight-up ignore feedback and support requests that point out fundamental design faults if it requires them to acknowledge said faults.

Now, in spite of known issues in the T3A model, I'm still considering Aixun's T420D.  I've heard from some posts that it doesn't suffer from the voltage-at-tip or runaway heating issues (makes sense that if it didn't have one, it wouldn't have the other since they are linked issues - and with the heavy transformer it is based off of an entirely different power supply design), though no idea on firmware reliability for not lying to you about real tip temps.

Are there any videos online that specifically show testing for the voltage / signal noise at tip, tip-to-ground contact, and tip temperature verification vs what is on screen?  Preferably testing with both Aixun cartridges and genuine JBC cartridges?  I'd feel more comfortable shelling out the money if I saw hard video documentation of those issues being tested.

Oh, and I saw a post here on EEVBlog of a GitHub repo that had an open-source firmware project for the T3A - does anyone know if someone is working on the same for the T420D?

Thanks everyone.

[Tor Björn]

The T420 host is no different from the T420D except for the configuration, this has already been covered in this thread. I bought a T420 in the T245A configuration at a bestboard Store for $161.
I'll tell how to ensure the operation of two handles (in my case T245A and T115A) with one holder. First of all, disconnect the yellow pair of wires inside the holder from the threaded bushing of the mast mounting screw. Next, you will need a donor contact for the aircraft connector of the T115A handle; I took an unused contact of pin #6 (ID) from the connector of another cheap T245 handle ($3 with coins). In the T115A connector remove part of adhesive to access to the hole for pin #4 (standby) and install the "donor" contact there. Solder the wire, the other end of which is connected to the mast in the area of the wing clamp.










Enjoy working with two handles and one holder at the same time.
Pin #3 is “extractor”, don’t get confused.
I bought the hangle (mast) with suspension (bracket) for the T115A separately in the same store, $6.67 with coins per pair. The T115A handle cost $5.75.
Gallery: https://postimg.cc/gallery/sWwPJw6

[mebel]

The c115 handle is connected directly to the station?

[Astray]

The T420 host is no different from the T420D except for the configuration, this has already been covered in this thread. I bought a T420 in the T245A configuration at a bestboard Store for $161.
I'll tell how to ensure the operation of two handles (in my case T245A and T115A) with one holder. First of all, disconnect the yellow pair of wires inside the holder from the threaded bushing of the mast mounting screw. Next, you will need a donor contact for the aircraft connector of the T115A handle; I took an unused contact of pin #6 (ID) from the connector of another cheap T245 handle ($3 with coins). In the T115A connector remove part of adhesive to access to the hole for pin #4 (standby) and install the "donor" contact there. Solder the wire, the other end of which is connected to the mast in the area of the wing clamp.

This is exactly what I was looking for! Any chance you could make it this a bit more detailed by highlighting changes you made in all photos and explaining why you did what did?

I would like to better understand the mechanism/circuitry used for the station that allows it to detect when the handle is attached to the stand makes the handle go into sleep mode.

Also I'm impressed you were able to get the device for so cheap. The cheapest I could find before aliexpress coupons was $210 for a T420 with single C245 handle.

Did you purchase a C115 handle version (T405) (which I saw for around $170 on the store you mentioned) and then bought a separate C245 handle?

[Tor Björn]

The c115 handle is connected directly to the station?

Yes, T115A handle with modified plug (with added "stanby" pin #4 and wire soldered to it) is connected directly to the host. Other end of the added wire must be connected to mast with bracket for T115A handle.
Yellow pair must be disconnected from mast's nut because this pair is "standby" pin signal of cradle's plug that also connected with T245/210 bracket and work with other channel (T245A handle in my case).
Sorry for my English, I can't explain it in any more detail or more clearly. 
...

Also I'm impressed you were able to get the device for so cheap. The cheapest I could find before aliexpress coupons was $210 for a T420 with single C245 handle.
Did you purchase a C115 handle version (T405) (which I saw for around $170 on the store you mentioned) and then bought a separate C245 handle?

Astray,

I bought a T420 in the T245A configuration at a bestboard Store for $161.

T420 in the T245A configuration (with T245A handle included, but without specific mast with hangle bracket for T115A handle) have a regular price for $181.48 at this store. I used a $20 coupon at "anniversary sale". But similar coupones or promocodes you can get it very often. Aliexpress holds different sales almost every month.

I bought the hangle (mast) with suspension (bracket) for the T115A separately at the same store, $6.67 with coins per pair. The T115A handle cost $5.75.

The T115A handle i bought at the China DIYPHONE Store aslo with coins. Regular price was $8.19.








Additional cheapest T245 handle I bought for $3.03 with coins just to have a "donor's pin".
....
There is another way to get "donor's" pin without buying donor handle or plug. You can extract pin #3 (extractor) from plug of holder. But in this case you have to connect extractor in parallel with bracket so that the station goes into standby when you change the 245/210 tip.
But buying a donor T245 handle is more reasonable, since this handle does not lose its functionality after removing the unused pin #6 and can be useful at any time if the genuine AiXun T245A handle breaks.

[Astray]

Yes, T115A handle with modified plug (with added "stanby" pin #4 and wire soldered to it) is connected directly to the host. Other end of the added wire must be connected to mast with bracket for T115A handle.
Yellow pair must be disconnected from mast's nut because this pair is "standby" pin signal of cradle's plug that also connected with T245/210 bracket and work with other channel (T245A handle in my case).
Sorry for my English, I can't explain it in any more detail or more clearly. 
....
There is another way to get "donor's" pin without buying donor handle or plug. You can extract pin #3 (extractor) from plug of holder. But in this case you have to connect extractor in parallel with bracket so that the station goes into standby when you change the 245/210 tip.
But buying a donor T245 handle is more reasonable, since this handle does not lose its functionality after removing the unused pin #6 and can be useful at any time if the genuine AiXun T245A handle breaks.

Do you have a photo or diagram of how the wire to the tall stand is connected to the main station? Is that standby pin just a ground pin or something different?

Wondering if might not be possible to internally connect the standby pins of both channels inside the main station so there's no need to run an extra wire.

Does anyone else know how these soldering stations work to put irons into sleep mode?

T420 in the T245A configuration (with T245A handle included, but without specific mast with hangle bracket for T115A handle) have a regular price for $181.48 at this store. I used a $20 coupon at "anniversary sale". But similar coupones or promocodes you can get it very often. Aliexpress holds different sales almost every month.

The T115A handle i bought at the China DIYPHONE Store aslo with coins. Regular price was $8.19.

Additional cheapest T245 handle I bought for $3.03 with coins just to have a "donor's pin".

Your prices are just across the board cheaper than mine, I believe it has to do with location as they probably have shipping costs included in the total price of the device. I shopped around quite a bit to find the cheapest I could and $210 was the cheapest before any coupons.

In hindsight, the cheapest maneuver was probably buying a T405 unit and hoping to get sent one with T420D firmware and buy the 245 handle. I think this would be the most cost effective as I've seen the 405 go for $170 before coupons and it would also include the little arm stand and you wouldn't need to buy those separately. Still a gamble though because no way to know if you'll get a main unit with T420D firmware.

[Tor Björn]

Do you have a photo or diagram of how the wire to the tall stand is connected to the main station?

Yes, you can see additionally installed pin #4 in plug of T115A handle on my photos in post #115. One end of extra wire is soldered to this pin, other end - connected to the "tall stand" (pre-disabled from "stanby" yellow pair internally in holder).

Is that standby pin just a ground pin or something different?

"Stanby" pin #4 and "extractor" pin #3 are internally pulled up (to 3.3V) different pins of microcontroller. When you insert a handle to cradle (connected to pin #4) or tip of cartridge to extractor (connected to pin #3) you push these pins to gnd, and can see a state "stanby" or "extract" on station's display. T245 handle have a gnd on metal ring, T115A have a gnd both on metal tip and on metal shank near rubber cable gland.

Wondering if might not be possible to internally connect the standby pins of both channels inside the main station so there's no need to run an extra wire.

No. "Stanby" pin #4, "extractor" pin #3 of channel #1, and "Stanby" pin #4 and "extractor" pin #3 of channel #2 are FOUR different pins of MC.

In hindsight, the cheapest maneuver was probably buying a T405 unit and hoping to get sent one with T420D firmware...

All sellers warned me that T405 only works with T115 handle and T410 only works with T210 handle:

Maybe this words are "chinese half-truth" and these kits  have the same hosts with same transfos (less powerful than T420/420d) that can work with both T115 and T210 handles but not at same time.

[Astray]

Yes, you can see additionally installed pin #4 in plug of T115A handle on my photos in post #115. One end of extra wire is soldered to this pin, other end - connected to the "tall stand" (pre-disabled from "stanby" yellow pair internally in holder).

Okay, so I think a finally understand. You have 2 wires coming out of the socket that connects to one of the ports of the back and one of those wires is going to the tall stand with arm for the T115 handle. I think a photo of the back of your main unit with all the wires would be very helpful to others in the future if they want to do the same mod. I will be doing it myself once I get the T115 handle in the mail.

"Stanby" pin #4 and "extractor" pin #3 are internally pulled up (to 3.3V) different pins of microcontroller. When you insert a handle to cradle (connected to pin #4) or tip of cartridge to extractor (connected to pin #3) you push these pins to gnd, and can see a state "stanby" or "extract" on station's display. T245 handle have a gnd on metal ring, T115A have a gnd both on metal tip and on metal shank near rubber cable gland.

No. "Stanby" pin #4, "extractor" pin #3 of channel #1, and "Stanby" pin #4 and "extractor" pin #3 of channel #2 are FOUR different pins of MC.

Oh, so if either the tip or the metal rings on the handle touch the stand then those pins will be grounded and tell the microcontroller to put the handles in sleep mode! This is very helpful.

Even if you connect those pins together with a resistor in the inside the unit it would cause both handles to be in sleep mode if either one of them was grounded so that would defeat the purpose.

Maybe this words are "chinese half-truth" and these kits  have the same hosts with same transfos (less powerful than T420/420d) that can work with both T115 and T210 handles but not at same time.

I'm a bit doubtful they are different hardware, but very possibly have different firmware/software that would prevent using a dual station. It's already too late anyways, I have my unit even though I select the wrong handle and now have a T210 handle and 3 tips that I did not need or want haha. The seller is sending me the correct T245 handle but not the tips because I made a mistake while ordering. This mistake ended up costing me $30 extra unfortunately :'(

[Tor Björn]

I think a photo of the back of your main unit with all the wires would be very helpful to others in the future if they want to do the same mod.

I agree with you, Astray. I specifically re-disassembled the holder and captured the necessary changes