EEVblog Electronics Community Forum
Products => Other Equipment & Products => Topic started by: thm_w on September 23, 2024, 10:16:57 pm
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There is some existing discussion here but the thread title was generic so will start a new thread: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5014180/#msg5014180 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5014180/#msg5014180)
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2380783;image)
All units support C245, C210, C115, T12.
All units have ground and sleep stand 4mm connection on the back.
Tons of settings: sleep, power limit, PID values, frequency of PWM for C115, calibration, etc.
There is a dynamic temperature compensation option, for heavy load. Unsure if JBC themselves do this, they might.
Geeboon TC20A (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806211443255.html) $70:
- 240W peak claimed (says 190W continuous PSU in the description)
- Uses 5 pin GX12 circular connector
- Tip voltage less than 2mV and <2 ohm claimed
Geeboon TC22 (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806211443255.html) $74:
- Upgraded version of above
- 6 pin JBC style circular connector
TC20B (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806325489446.html) $120:
- 380W peak claimed (360W continuous?)
- Uses 5 pin GX12 circular connector (can it handle the 380W?)
- Also supports C470
TA305 (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806865611197.html) $120:
- 150W peak - 85W continuous (?)
- Transformer based power supply (so 110V or 220V specific)
- Uses 6 pin JBC style circular connector
- guess this station is to please the toroidal fanboys.
HC24 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005008060887226.html) $150:
- 450W peak 400W continuous
- Dedicated CH1/2/3 preset buttons
- Exhaust fan connection on back
Switch box is available: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807424641457.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256807424641457.html) $20 + ship
Tips look reasonable, all around 2.6-2.7 ohm:
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2380779;image)
Handles look OK, seems better quality than Aixun, grip is softer. Ignore the tip I didn't insert all of the way:
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2380767;image)
Measured ~210W peak for C245 and 70W peak for C210 for mains draw on power on. Less under normal use of course.
GX12 connector is earthed, which is connected to the case, but due to anodizing it doesn't fully connect everywhere. Not a huge deal IMO as there appears to be good PSU separation.
Overall, seems good for the price.
Pinout - T210 handle - GX12
1 - NC
2,5 - Heater+ (red)
3,4 - Heater- (blue, green) shorted internally
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/?action=dlattach;attach=2441139;image)
Comparison from joechina
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2709073;image)
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All units support C245, C210, C115, T12.
All units have ground and sleep stand 4mm connection on the back.
- 240W peak claimed (says 190W continuous PSU in the description)
- Uses 5 pin GX12 circular connector
- Tip voltage less than 2mV and <2 ohm claimed
Hi, sorry for a question, is the GEEBOON TC20A compatible with the original JBC handles ? The other day you explained to me that from the photos of the GX12 connector you can understand if the soldering station is compatible with the original JBC handles, how can you understand ?
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Its clearly explained above:
- TC20A/TC20B = GX12 = not compatible, metal circular connector
- TA305 = compatible JBC connector
Just look at the photo, if its black round plastic plug with 6 or 7 pins its JBC compatible. Worst case someone had to drill out the empty space to get their JBC handle to work.
edit: updated
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Its clearly explained above:
- TC20A/TC20B/TC22 = GX12 = not compatible, metal circular connector
- TA305 = compatible JBC connector
Just look at the photo, if its black round plastic plug with 6 or 7 pins its JBC compatible. Worst case someone had to drill out the empty space to get their JBC handle to work.
Thanks for the explanations.
Apart from the shape of the connector I thought that the compatibility depended on the order in which the pins were connected, I thought it was a question of internal connections, in some stations I saw that they change the order of the cables on the handle to make it compatible. Thanks again.
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Its clearly explained above:
- TC20A/TC20B/TC22 = GX12 = not compatible, metal circular connector
- TA305 = compatible JBC connector
TC 22 has the same connector as TA305
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There is a Geeboon store (https://geeboontools.aliexpress.com/store/1103439446?spm=a2g0o.detail.0.0.5e49qc6nqc6nzZ) on Ali, from where picture of the first post are commong from I suppose. In the description there is a Google drive link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1mEeN4_-f5zXF7HxJEa5QRhLgJPOexcaH?usp=sharing) and Baidu link (https://pan.baidu.com/s/10Gjj9pTL46IRuu1fZOvN_Q?pwd=8888) for TC20 firmware updates and user's guide. But no firmware for the TC22.
In another review, we have this "Seller's Reply: TC22 is an upgraded version of TC20, adding more error compatibility and ground wire processing. The hardware is also different, the software will be modified, and their firmware is not universal. Thank you for using it, and welcome to evaluate the product."
There is no more useful info on the Taobao (https://shop407847936.world.taobao.com/?spm=pc_detail.29232929.shop_block.dshopinfo.681d7dd6O9twaB) page. Except buyers who complain (https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=719090886885&pisk=fbhj9A0JiyqzU4wALVLzdwHfI0NsCmOEMNat-VCVWSFYXNi-W1EOM1UR2rzGBRC4gRLsxu5woSJg1cZSjoy4MfMl120igEVwoS00s5KeYBosoqVgquwHTfN-yyUp_sUTWESups-eYBR6HaF6cHoVCt0G3Pq8kPUYWUw8SPFTkRe9PuU_-lCxX5LXFZRlat0HV_fPEBbpbJ8N7Nl7yEqKlSauzbw7HkU3f1HrNrwbvqhVpJQ4RvG7LxLvHyN_qqczhCC_s4kIfAnJNsiskvnT0bKd1lknUvyjFnC_4jzsL-GXAsrigVHUFfxlTz0IdVzQeZBEyJq_NvnwW9ZizvwtL-jf4c5UAyvPCawh1zZePU6GIdS5Qo45j8uTHz4bUUT5DA2YrzNePU6GI-Uulz8WPiHG.&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-24971233980.4.61aa7597jgxnez) about the poor quality of the handle or tips.
For the TA305, there is non more information on store's pages, except a link to a google drive (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/130h8jJGOpZVBHfOA2Qrlgriyrr846Zvy) withe the user's guide and firmware upgrades as for the TC20. In the guide, a more powerful unite, named TA310 is mentioned. This model can't be found on Taobao nor on Ali, but the official website (http://www.geeboon.com/page110?product_id=68) there is a new model named HC24 that looks like a more powerful TA305.
Nothing more about the TA305 on the Taobao page (https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=788967694156&pisk=fr-S9OvxqOf4WT787pHV5RL7-IsCVQiw2J6pIpEzpgIR9JOvpkCL2kBYMTW3JwEP4wHBssrEEguhAB1Xt_7P2HT0AdvH4YjEEgvlxMhZ_cRBELjhis_ibHsvH9BIYzERpYPcWulZ_coIy-IINfRzRW43z9fAe9B8yx_AK9Ide_B-hsBCI6EJ9MLmm8o00zviGoq4oc2tTNlAD6xfFZnwesLDuvWPPgv5Gm0pc5b56LCbvfY7Fj5RBhh4rO_WOZK2LRrFcLLMtOd8wbsphOO1CQgUK_TvQ3WDoXaC1epySeLmOl1J7dYGREc_q68pZQB9EmMvCNfR4HITMXXXkdAhBaN4yCIrgl51IqzQhNqCh1kjhy4n8SaFZtNhupQRnT_qhxNJ-aBchGkjhy4hytX53xMbwef..&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-24971233980.16.61aa7597jgxnez) of the product.
There is a Geeboon channel (https://space.bilibili.com/1379956389) on Bilibili with few videos. There is one of the TA305 prototype (https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1a84y117eV/?spm_id_from=333.999.0.0&vd_source=2d05e8e7f0ae2ff23a965ef1dffb4089), it looks like it's being developed by a single guy in his kitchen or garage! I don't know what to think about it.
I'm hesitating whether to buy a TC22 or a TA305.
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There is a Geeboon channel (https://space.bilibili.com/1379956389) on Bilibili with few videos. There is one of the TA305 prototype (https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1a84y117eV/?spm_id_from=333.999.0.0&vd_source=2d05e8e7f0ae2ff23a965ef1dffb4089), it looks like it's being developed by a single guy in his kitchen or garage! I don't know what to think about it.
That is cool, you can see him scroll through some code at the end.
I don't know if you need to think too much for $70 IMO. You have "bigger" companies like Aixun who can't even get the basics of soldering right sometimes.
Also there are a LOT of positive taobao reviews, some interesting stuff in there. One mention of the cracked handle but no photo and a new handle is ~$15.
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2412879;image)
I'm hesitating whether to buy a TC22 or a TA305.
Personally the light weight and cheaper cost is pro for me. Maybe power supply dies in some years if its a poor design.
edit: I found one bad review, maybe they got a defective station or a previous revision?
(https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/?action=dlattach;attach=2412883;image)
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Also there are a LOT of positive taobao reviews, some interesting stuff in there. One mention of the cracked handle but no photo and a new handle is ~$15.
Reviews are always good on Taobao (and Ali), no?
However Aixun as no review at all on their products...
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Reviews are always good on Taobao (and Ali), no?
However Aixun as no review at all on their products...
Its skewed toward 5 star reviews definitely, so the high star means almost nothing. But if you see reviews where people actually bother to write out comments and add photos, then those can be useful.
And what you won't see is any review saying it died after 1 year, because commenting is closed by that point.
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It is a very, very nice soldering station, amazing. The Hanles 245 and 210 look the same as the JBC pinouts. The only note is the Stand - it is made from metal, robust but thoughtless. The contact sensing is sensitive and activates even when you touch the cleaning wire - hmm.. . You have to fix it for yourself.
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vn0c24l4p5stmxpq7z2ul/Geeboon-TC22.mp4?rlkey=yevs71drzujxm07up777jrtrr&st=cb1sl6a2&dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vn0c24l4p5stmxpq7z2ul/Geeboon-TC22.mp4?rlkey=yevs71drzujxm07up777jrtrr&st=cb1sl6a2&dl=0)
Sorry, I do not have the time nor will to fully disassemble it - it needs to remove the front sealed plastic.
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Resistance Tip to Earth - 0.00 Ohm
That is what is declared:
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It is a very, very nice soldering station, amazing. The Hanles 245 and 210 look the same as the JBC pinouts. The only note is the Stand - it is made from metal, robust but thoughtless. The contact sensing is sensitive and activates even when you touch the cleaning wire - hmm.. . You have to fix it for yourself.
Throw out the sponge and put the brass wool at the front.
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The contact sensing is sensitive and activates even when you touch the cleaning wire - hmm.. . You have to fix it for yourself.
It is worth trying to increase the sleep delay time to 5 seconds.
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Hi, The video shows the fixed stand. Thanks.
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Hi. I know. Yesterday I received TC22. I didn't like how the station reacts to cleaning the tip) I just increased the time from 0 to 5 seconds in the menu. Now I can safely clean the tip. There is enough time
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Good idea. It is good to think also about when you need to change the tip - you need to wait 5s and I have to add an extra extractor - really thoughtless. Maybe the best solution is to revert back and use a separate cleaning wire.
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Hello. Does anyone have a handle T12 pinnaut
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Why would you not get T245? Crazy.
Its going to be probably 2,5 P+, 3 P-, and 4 E. You can look at the connector or ohm out if you want to double check. I don't know how the station recognizes the tip in that case though.
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The station (JBC option) supports hot tip change, meaning it should have a sleep wake-up delay of 0-5s 0,5s step - for safety removing (connecting) the cartridge. I can't see something similar or maybe I miss it?
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Just got TC22 with C210 handle.
Can confirm that there is no voltage between the tip and the ground. Also, touching the ground with the tip does not create any problems as with Aixun units with switching power supplies. The ground connector on the unit is connected to the ground wire of the 110V power plug, and resistance between the tip and the ground connector is about 2.5 Ohms.
I agree that the stand could be improved. Brass wool should be isolated from the case. And also the extra tips do not stay in the holes meant for keeping them, they fall on the side because there is nothing at the bottom. Would be nice to put a rubber block there with holes for the tips. Another suggestion is to make the stand to be the same length as the unit (or vice versa) so that you could stack the stand on top of the unit. You can do it to some degree now but it is not perfect. Alternatively, if the screen could be rotated 90 degrees, I'd put the unit vertically next to the stand.
Other than that I'm quite liking it. It is small, universal (multiple handles) unit that meets all the requirements I'd have of a soldering station.
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The lack of a sleep wake-up delay menu and existing of the sleep delay one make me suspective (the sleep delay menu is fully thoughtless - it serves only the bad stand design)., and I asked the seller about that, his answer was "It supports, the shut cable is used for", no sense - the shut signal is used only for the switch support ( Hm ..., meaning the switch has hot replug support, and the station doesn't ?! ... seller's reply)
The sleep delay menu excludes proper safety tip removal except if it is at a 0 - deactivated - no sense.
I used it for a week and I love the way the station works, and not everything could be perfect from the first time - it will be good to have communication at least.
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Software for station TC22
Baidu (https://pan.baidu.com/s/1weuBFaignXRLOpdFeF-0uQ?pwd=s8b6)
Google (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1JZKgTuXNrh_oJArNxSUlf2q-e8z5s-0y)
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Would if work with AIXUN T3B soldering iron stand?
Are there any other benefits to this one compared to AIXUN t3b/t3a except for multiple handles/tips?
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Would if work with AIXUN T3B soldering iron stand?
Are there any other benefits to this one compared to AIXUN t3b/t3a except for multiple handles/tips?
- Properly grounded
- Much cheaper
I would expect the stand to work assuming its passing through the signals, if it didn't work you could not use the plug on the stand, and then run the sleep cable and connect to appropriate pin on the circular connector.
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It will also work with the following:
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Glad you like it thm_w, here is a short video of the assembled kit (2x GBN 245 &210 + Aixun 210)
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mfpvrczv5kyoslhg616gq/GBN-kit.mp4?rlkey=4fjon7s64agz48qhwg44pok1j&st=3ghfkgjr&dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mfpvrczv5kyoslhg616gq/GBN-kit.mp4?rlkey=4fjon7s64agz48qhwg44pok1j&st=3ghfkgjr&dl=0)
Pay attention to the sensing pin of the Aixun – different way. The Aixun handle is not designed for that touching plate and does not lay properly (meaning, it doesn’t make good contact). Out of the box, all start to work straightway. I want to fix the hot replug issue, but I'll see when I have time.
I attached the STL files, in case someone needs them, happy upgrading!
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/648h7fstnyvdovj0e7j8q/AOpF4xU689GUtja4dj5NpYo?rlkey=mdfk437en96cyai6mydwmdnqb&st=fa8f4tg5&dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/648h7fstnyvdovj0e7j8q/AOpF4xU689GUtja4dj5NpYo?rlkey=mdfk437en96cyai6mydwmdnqb&st=fa8f4tg5&dl=0)
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Hi. I was able to open the switch and I can say that both the soldering station and the switch do not have proper hot tip swap. Both signals “Stop” and “Sleep” are directly sent to the station and the “Stop” is not used at all, only “Sleep” is used for the tool detection. I did not expect that! I could not see good input protection for the controller inputs! (I don’t have a schematic to estimate that, but it is what I saw)
I can see each channel has 2 relays, for power and signal, both with 2-row contacts (How that guy has compensated for the cold junction – with or without the switch?).
Good idea and promises ...
PS - I made a mistake about the microcontroller inputs protection - I can confirm it is ok. Sorry about that.
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I see they have both TC20B and HC24, both supporting C470 and boastring 400W power. The only difference I see is that the HC has a bigger screen, is bigger overall and has the original JBC connector.
Does anybody know of any other differences? I would be tempted to try the HC, as it seems beefier.
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I see they have both TC20B and HC24, both supporting C470 and boastring 400W power. The only difference I see is that the HC has a bigger screen, is bigger overall and has the original JBC connector.
Does anybody know of any other differences? I would be tempted to try the HC, as it seems beefier.
HC24 has exhaust fan connector, larger LCD, more power (450W peak, TC20B is 380W, claimed), internal fan, channel preset buttons.
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The hardware difference between TC20A and TC22 from the ruff picture shared here is the added current 10A sensor, and of course mainly in the firmware
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Hi all. I just received a TC20A, which has firmware (AppVER:1.08) installed. There is a TC20_1.23_.gbn file on the Google drive link referenced in this thread. My station seems to be working fine now, but I wonder if I should try updating the firmware or just leave well enough alone? Looking for advice. Thanks in advance!
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I just tried updating the firmware on my TC20B, and I cannot get the update procedure to work as stated.
I can get the UPDATE screen as described in the manual, then the USB ON screen, but I do not see the Geeboon's USB drive on my computer to copy the new firmware to.
Has anyone managed to successfully update the software, and care to explain the excat procedure they used?
Thanks
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I just tried to see if I could connect and did it - USB On.
Connect the TC to the main without turning it On, Connect the UCB-C cable b/n computer and TC, and voila - even without pressing any button it shows me the new drive connected - on a Windows 10 machine ( if you use Other - it may be a driver issue).
Boot Ver-1.00
AppVer-1.21
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I tried again from a Windows 11 PC rather than a Mac, and it worked.
Another strange quirk after the firmware was updated (to v 1.23) - I got a message in Chinese along the lines of "Tool cannot operate at this voltage 24.2V", but after power cycling it and leaving the power off for a few minutes, it now seems to be working OK, and the message has not reappeared.
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Good information. Thanks for sharing!
I havent found a "change log" for the TC20a firmware.
Do you have any idea if there have been any significant functional changes since 1.08, or just bug fixes?
Thanks again!
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If you go to the google drive site mentioned above, there is a changelog (in Chinese) for versions up to 1.06.
Google tells us that it says:
1.03 Solve the problem that the 210 heating core starts too hard, soft start
1.04 Adjust the vibration sleep sensitivity, modify the tool protection threshold, and add default interface modifications
1.05_Add power detection sleep, dynamic temperature compensation
Power detection sleep: Sleep settings increase or decrease power detection options, not applicable sensors can achieve the same effect as vibration sleep, when there is no temperature fluctuation (threshold 20W), delay entering sleep mode. The wake-up method is to touch the soldering iron tip with a wet sponge.
Dynamic temperature compensation (default closed): Add an item in the tool menu. When the soldering iron tip is detected to have a large load, the system will dynamically increase the temperature to increase compensation for the soldering iron tip, and exit when the power drops
1.06 Add shutdown direct wake-up heating, power detection sleep threshold can be set, some minor bugs.
Also the filename for 1.22 says (again translated by Google)
TC20_1.22_Support new background tools.gbn
That's all I could find.
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Thanks much!
Right now I think I'm just going to stick with 1.08. As my old man told me, if it's not broke, don't fix it.
If I find out that additional functions were added in revisions past 1.08, I may update at that time.
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There is no more useful info on the Taobao (https://shop407847936.world.taobao.com/?spm=pc_detail.29232929.shop_block.dshopinfo.681d7dd6O9twaB) page. Except buyers who complain (https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?id=719090886885&pisk=fbhj9A0JiyqzU4wALVLzdwHfI0NsCmOEMNat-VCVWSFYXNi-W1EOM1UR2rzGBRC4gRLsxu5woSJg1cZSjoy4MfMl120igEVwoS00s5KeYBosoqVgquwHTfN-yyUp_sUTWESups-eYBR6HaF6cHoVCt0G3Pq8kPUYWUw8SPFTkRe9PuU_-lCxX5LXFZRlat0HV_fPEBbpbJ8N7Nl7yEqKlSauzbw7HkU3f1HrNrwbvqhVpJQ4RvG7LxLvHyN_qqczhCC_s4kIfAnJNsiskvnT0bKd1lknUvyjFnC_4jzsL-GXAsrigVHUFfxlTz0IdVzQeZBEyJq_NvnwW9ZizvwtL-jf4c5UAyvPCawh1zZePU6GIdS5Qo45j8uTHz4bUUT5DA2YrzNePU6GI-Uulz8WPiHG.&spm=a312a.7700824.w4004-24971233980.4.61aa7597jgxnez) about the poor quality of the handle or tips.
What are the 'better' tips on Aliexpress for this soldering station?
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What are the 'better' tips on Aliexpress for this soldering station?
The tips are OK, don't bother replacing until you've actually used them. Anything from major brands should be fine, i2c, OSS, etc. Aixun claims their tips are the best in terms of reliability, better than JBC. You can also get genuine tips, but IMO not really worth it to pair with a $60 station. I posted some info in other threads but can't find it atm.
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I have a slightly different opinion: I had a bad experience with the cheap I2c and OSS. Stay with the original Geeboon, Aixun, Mechanic, and other proven products.
I also want to show my printed STL files (from ABS and PU, walls 1.5mm; density 35%). The 2 Locks are only for the front Plate insolation.
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Ok, thanks for the replies. I've ordered a TC22 yesterday. So I have to wait a while before I can test the tips.
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I have a slightly different opinion: I had a bad experience with the cheap I2c and OSS. Stay with the original Geeboon, Aixun, Mechanic, and other proven products.
The price for Mechanic and OSS/i2c was the same for c115 tips. I doubt there is any quality difference, the oss ones I got were decent enough. But they seem to be manufactured the same way, whereas C245 has a variety of manufacturing methods/quality.
Feel free to post details if you received some with issues.
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Hi. Unfortunately, there are no pictures. It was more than a year ago, and I threw them away. And yes, no more cheap ones (5 euros) except Mechanic. If you hear that price, pay attention, maybe you will get them out of declared parameters.
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I would appreciate if someone can share a tip on disassembling the TC22 station - the front panel in particular.
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Remove the joystick knob, preheat the plastic, and very slowly start to unstick it from one angle opposite of the joystick, when you get close to it, slow down. You will get the plastic out slightly curved - do not try to straighten it without heat or you could crack it at the joystick place. The front board screws are just under. Look at the screw lockers of the power supply PCB to release it. Thats it.
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Remove the joystick knob, preheat the plastic, and very slowly start to unstick it from one angle opposite of the joystick, when you get close to it, slow down. You will get the plastic out slightly curved - do not try to straighten it without heat or you could crack it at the joystick place. The front board screws are just under. Look at the screw lockers of the power supply PCB to release it. Thats it.
Thanks for the quick response. So it is pretty much the same construction as Aixun 3a/b, weird design choice.
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Hi everyone,
I recently bought a Geeboon HC24 station (£124 delivered - so, no import tax in the UK) with a SW03 switch (£36 delivered).
I posted it here because it's just TC20B/TC22 big brother.
The station comes with a T470 handle (the same size as the standard T245) with a nice silicon grip and two high-quality tips (C470-10D and C245-5D).
Overall, it's a great powerful and compact soldering station. It has a full metal body and like TC20B It's accepting all handles from T470 to T12 (T115 and T12 not checked). Geeboon's tips and handles are of decent quality. I bought from them two additional metal handles T245 and T210 which are great - genuine Hirose connector, silicon grip and cable, ring brass tip connector and PTFE seal inside. There are a lot of settings and information such as tip voltage, resistance, and current.
The SW03 switch looks ok and works well and quickly (0.5-1s) with T470, T245, and T210 handles (not tested with T115 and T12).
But, there are a few issues:
1 The station and switch have a sleep and hot-swap (actually-shutdown) function, but it starts heating as quickly as you insert the tip, without confirmation touch as Aixun stations do. So mind your fingers.
2.1 The cradle (the weakest element) is not of great quality, and has only a sleep function (no hot-swap/tool extraction) so if you don't have a switch and you need a hot-swap the tips, you'll have to buy i.e. a T3B or T420D cradle and modify it as I did - throw away the PCB from inside and swap sleep and hot-swap cables on the 6-pin socket. I replaced the socket as well (the original one melted when trying to unsolder it from the PCB).
2.2 The brass wool for tip cleaning is not isolated from the cradle metal body (just paint) so, the station is bouncing between sleep and work mode when you try to clean the tip. Only the sponge is isolated with silicon.
3 Extractor fan (at the bottom of the case) is a bit too noisy (with T470 and T245 handles), luckily only when the station starts heating (10-15 s). Doesn't come on at all when T210 is connected. Also, there's no fan speed regulation, It looks like only 0-10-100%. But I'm still happy the fan is there.
Update: I just received the T420D cradle. The only you need to do on it is a white and pink wires swap on the plug or PCB.
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I took photo of HC24 internals. Good station overall.
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Hi VisualGadget, as I can see, that guy likes using relays. It's easy for him now, but it could be a headache for us in the future.
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I became the owner of the Geeboon T20B station and immediately had the idea of "refinement" and the actual "contents" - there are only three tips and two "handles" in the basic supply. But, judging by the description, you can also connect T12 and C115 handles to it!
Well, I started searching, and I even found something - this image should be added to the start post - at least it will be clear visually how the geeboon attaches its handles to the connector. With the C115, it is also approximately clear - the station will be guided by the resistance (it is twice as high as that of the C210) and the handle, with a pinout like that of the C210.
Also, when working, I noticed the presence of "clicking sounds" on the tip of the stinger - as I understand it, is this the specifics of the PWM and switching power supply?
another "little thing" - is that the wire length of the geeboon handles is less than 20 cm than that of similar ones from the Element company (there were a couple in stock)...
And most importantly, do not pay attention to the COLOR of the wires in the picture - geebuun has it-and it is "standard" for any other C210/C245 pen!!! Only the "connection location" is important! And the color of the wire in the handle can be seen here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/jbc-t245-handle-disassembly/ I have them exactly matched on both handles (geeboon and element)
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I became the owner of the Geeboon T20B station and immediately had the idea of "refinement" and the actual "contents" - there are only three tips and two "handles" in the basic supply. But, judging by the description, you can also connect T12 and C115 handles to it!
Yes I did put the image showing C115/C210/C245/C470/T12 in the first post.
T12 is not worth using if you have this station, IMO, T245 tips are so cheap at this point. Maybe if you have some large collection of specialized tips.
Clicking I haven't used the station enough to notice, but it does happen with some Aixun stations and real JBC station as well. Can be from slow PWM switching speed as you say, maybe you can measure the output with a scope to see the frequency.
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Yes I did put the image showing C115/C210/C245/C470/T12 in the first post.
T12 is not worth using if you have this station, IMO, T245 tips are so cheap at this point. Maybe if you have some large collection of specialized tips.
BUT - in your first post, you have a "pinout" for the "standard" JBC connector (6 pins). I also gave a "drawing" of the pinout of their stations with handles for GX12-5 - this is a little different.
And yes, I have a rather impressive "collection" of T12 tanks, somewhat "specific", plus for some reason the Chinese still do not make cheap "analogues". for example, a "spattel" with a width of 30-40mm. And the good old "tunnel/quad" - the JBC analog stands like a cast-iron bridge (or a wing from Boeing).
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Hi VisualGadget, as I can see, that guy likes using relays. It's easy for him now, but it could be a headache for us in the future.
There are two 24VDC SMPS boards and a relay to connect them in series, so if the relay or one SMPS fails, you can still use the station without the T470 handle, and the relay is for £4 delivered.
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005008619868032.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.7ad8452c44HCsB&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21GBP%21GBP%204.44%21GBP%204.00%21%21%21%21%21%402103956a17441906043548823e96c7%2112000045979912658%21ct%21UK%212120404077%21%211%210&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol (https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005008619868032.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.7ad8452c44HCsB&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21GBP%21GBP%204.44%21GBP%204.00%21%21%21%21%21%402103956a17441906043548823e96c7%2112000045979912658%21ct%21UK%212120404077%21%211%210&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol)
And it's gonna last longer than the Aixun 200W ribon cable/connectors.
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just wanted to add a bit to the topic, but I got the ta305 about 3 weeks ago and have been using it since for a couple of times a week. It can do 140w continuous (
also i think it's the max as the power bar is at 100% at 140w can actually go higher on initial heat up and from sleep highest i saw was 147w), not 85w for about 20 seconds before tool protection kicks in as i couldn't hover it over the water at a stable rate for the temperature not to plummet(and also i was afraid of damaging the tip) additionally the station draws about 175w while doing so according to my cheap power meter.
the stand isn't much of note, same issues as others have said but geeboon seems to have updated the stand with the SDC02 it seems to be well made from the pictures with silicone separating the plastic parts and has replaced the original on the ta305 albeit at a slight price bump. I've bought 2 since it comes in much cheaper than the aixun ones and the stands i bought don't seem to be coming anymore.
i've also taken it apart looks good apart from the bent ground connector(needed as it would hit the transformer if not). And for anybody wants to take apart their station really make sure you heat up the front panel your more so bending it with the heat rather than prying it off otherwise it would crack, and its the same vise versa start on one side and use heat to soften the plastic and bend it down(i set my hot air station to 150c and max air flow).
on a side note i got the t115 handle with it, looks fine but does get quite hot after extended usage but a t210 foam fits over it snug albeit a little thick and long.
Edit: just realised the t210 handle only has a max of 30w, is it the same across the other models given that other t210 compatible stations have higher power?
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There are two 24VDC SMPS boards and a relay to connect them in series, so if the relay or one SMPS fails, you can still use the station without the T470 handle, and the relay is for £4 delivered.
https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005008619868032.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.7ad8452c44HCsB&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21GBP%21GBP%204.44%21GBP%204.00%21%21%21%21%21%402103956a17441906043548823e96c7%2112000045979912658%21ct%21UK%212120404077%21%211%210&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol (https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005008619868032.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.7ad8452c44HCsB&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21GBP%21GBP%204.44%21GBP%204.00%21%21%21%21%21%402103956a17441906043548823e96c7%2112000045979912658%21ct%21UK%212120404077%21%211%210&gatewayAdapt=glo2pol)
And it's gonna last longer than the Aixun 200W ribon cable/connectors.
Connecting 2 SMPS-s in series, the right way is a challenge, and adding an extra contact relay to them is not a good choice. It will work, ... but how? As I said, a headache in the future.
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Been using a good ol' hakko FX-888D for over 10 years but tips randomly deciding to fuse into the sleeve/collar/whatever it's called (the screw on metal tube) really gets on my nerves when it happens and has been happening more lately and the tip currently in it seems to be permanent this time.
So i went looking for something new....oh boy how much has changed since i last looked at irons back in 2014.
In the market for a new iron and came across this one which looks pretty well made and i don't want to pay hakko or jbc prices as they're kinda crazy in australia.
Anyway, i was initially looking at the Aixun T3A but it seems to have issues that don't seem terrible but also not great so i went looking at other options that isn't the damn pinecil that pops up everywhere...
So, those of you who have had one for a while, would you recommend it? Does it have any of the issues the Aixun units have (voltage leak / ground problem etc).
I was going to go with the TC22 and the new stand unless there's a compelling argument to go with the TA305 (which already comes with the new stand and costs more).
The only downside I've found with moving to the "new" tech is the lack of heat set insert tips for the jbc style cartridges (unless I'm blind, i haven't found any...only T12) but that's nothing a cheap pencil iron won't fix so not a big deal even though i use heat set inserts a fair bit.
I'm open to other options of course, within a reasonable budget of around $200 AUD or so that don't have issues that just get swept under the rug by companies.
Thanks :)
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Been using a good ol' hakko FX-888D for over 10 years but tips randomly deciding to fuse into the sleeve/collar/whatever it's called (the screw on metal tube) really gets on my nerves when it happens and has been happening more lately and the tip currently in it seems to be permanent this time.
So i went looking for something new....oh boy how much has changed since i last looked at irons back in 2014.
In the market for a new iron and came across this one which looks pretty well made and i don't want to pay hakko or jbc prices as they're kinda crazy in australia.
Anyway, i was initially looking at the Aixun T3A but it seems to have issues that don't seem terrible but also not great so i went looking at other options that isn't the damn pinecil that pops up everywhere...
So, those of you who have had one for a while, would you recommend it? Does it have any of the issues the Aixun units have (voltage leak / ground problem etc).
I was going to go with the TC22 and the new stand unless there's a compelling argument to go with the TA305 (which already comes with the new stand and costs more).
The only downside I've found with moving to the "new" tech is the lack of heat set insert tips for the jbc style cartridges (unless I'm blind, i haven't found any...only T12) but that's nothing a cheap pencil iron won't fix so not a big deal even though i use heat set inserts a fair bit.
I'm open to other options of course, within a reasonable budget of around $200 AUD or so that don't have issues that just get swept under the rug by companies.
Thanks :)
CNC Kitchen sells c245 heat set insert cartridges but are quite expensive coming in at $43 AUD for the kit or $30 for just the cartridge and another $15 shipping to Australia
I don't really see a reason to use one compared to having a cheap dedicated iron for it. I have one mounted on a boom arm with a printed handle using an inexpensive kit of AliExpress.
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CNC Kitchen sells c245 heat set insert cartridges but are quite expensive coming in at $43 AUD for the kit or $30 for just the cartridge and another $15 shipping to Australia
I don't really see a reason to use one compared to having a cheap dedicated iron for it. I have one mounted on a boom arm with a printed handle using an inexpensive kit of AliExpress.
Yeah that's a tad bit pricey. I'll just stick with another option for inserts. I don't use inserts THAT much to justify the cost from cnc kitchen. Good to know they do exist though.
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on a side note i got the t115 handle with it, looks fine but does get quite hot after extended usage but a t210 foam fits over it snug albeit a little thick and long.
This is normal, the small handles get very hot, as the heat source is so close to your fingers. The 115 specific foam is about 30mm long, but I don't know if anyone sells it directly (they sell the 50mm for 210 or 245 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007914222763.html)). Its just the entire handpiece with foam, think it was this: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005104879654.html (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005104879654.html)
Edit: just realised the t210 handle only has a max of 30w, is it the same across the other models given that other t210 compatible stations have higher power?
Are you saying this station limits T210 to 30W? As you say other clones go up to 40 or 50W, but "officially" 115 is 15W 25W and 210 is 25W 40W from JBC spec.
Does it identify the handle as 115 or 210? Maybe it can't tell the difference between the two so has to keep power to a safer level.
T210 is not that useful of a size to me, I would just go 115 for fine work and 245 for general/high power use.
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has anyone gotten this error when trying to update the tc20b?
[attachimg=1]
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Are you saying this station limits T210 to 30W? As you say other clones go up to 40 or 50W, but "officially" 115 is 15W and 210 is 25W from JBC spec.
Does it identify the handle as 115 or 210? Maybe it can't tell the difference between the two so has to keep power to a safer level.
T210 is not that useful of a size to me, I would just go 115 for fine work and 245 for general/high power use.
the station recognises the t210 and t115 as different tools but both have a limit of 30w
i've heard the t115 handle go up to 25w but when you say "officially" for the t115 it has a power output of 15w is this in practice as looking at the jbc site it lists the t115 handle as 25w https://www.jbctools.com/nt115-nano-handle-product-1351.html (https://www.jbctools.com/nt115-nano-handle-product-1351.html) and 40w for the c210 https://www.jbctools.com/t210-precision-handle-product-48.html (https://www.jbctools.com/t210-precision-handle-product-48.html) or is it the cartridge?
but as you said the t210 handle isn't really useful, i only found myself using it to check its power output for my post, and theres enough of a range in c245 cartridges to do pretty much everything i need other than small smd work where i'd use the t115
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the station recognises the t210 and t115 as different tools but both have a limit of 30w
OK, I would contact the seller and ask if they can increase the T210 power limit, if you want.
i've heard the t115 handle go up to 25w but when you say "officially" for the t115 it has a power output of 15w is this in practice as looking at the jbc site it lists the t115 handle as 25w https://www.jbctools.com/nt115-nano-handle-product-1351.html (https://www.jbctools.com/nt115-nano-handle-product-1351.html) and 40w for the c210 https://www.jbctools.com/t210-precision-handle-product-48.html (https://www.jbctools.com/t210-precision-handle-product-48.html) or is it the cartridge?
Oops I must have mixed up those numbers, yeah 115 - 25W and 210 - 40W peak. In practice, not sure, as SDG didn't have it in the review.
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Oops I must have mixed up those numbers, yeah 115 - 25W and 210 - 40W peak. In practice, not sure, as SDG didn't have it in the review.
What review are you referring to? I don't think SDG has done one for the geeboon stations.
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What review are you referring to? I don't think SDG has done one for the geeboon stations.
His JBC reviews, then we would have a reference point to compare to. But he only tested with T245.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGPVhv5fZGs (http://youtube.com/watch?v=xGPVhv5fZGs)
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I opened the connector on the handle of the GEEBON C115 and there is an ID resistor with a value of 1 k. My TC22 and HC24 recognize it as a C115.
Its a chinese work by GEEBOON!!!!????
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TC20A boot v1 hardware v2 Appv1.07 user here + C245
Does your unit shows the actual soldering temperature? Mine only shows the set temp. Did you manage to update the firmware?
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maybe. On the TC20B, in graph mode, it shows both the set temperature and the temperature of the "tip" (the thermocouple inside the heater).
HW 1.01 FW 2.10 App 1.21
Do not buy YIAHUA tips!! never! although they are cheap, the quality is so poor that with a "glass test" they produce only 60-70W with the "heater" FULLY immersed!!! Even "comparable in price" OSS produce 160-170 watts!
This is not normal! This applies to the C245 stings.
They have more or less C210 (they give out their 54W in a glass).
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hdKjj5M-8 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29hdKjj5M-8)
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Did anyone test this station (TA305 TC22) with original JBC stands and handpieces? Original JBC tips for (clone) handpieces are rather "easy" (they work well AFAIK) but what about JBC original stands and original handpieces with that clone station?
Example: JBC DDPE-2QB with original T210 + original T245 handpieces. DDPE only handles 2 tools unfortunately. "Unfortunately" - well, I have a third tool - JBC-AM120-A tweezers. Switching cables in DDPE-2QB stands is a nightmare.
I'm thinking about Chinese clone (like geeboon TA305 TC22) for powering tweezers. Would geeboon TA305 TC22 work just fine with original JBC-AM120-A tweezers AND JBC original stand for these tweezers? And by "work" I mean sleeping, tweezers recognizing, tweezers powering etc?
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SW03 advertised as JBC compatible and TA305 and TC22 must be compatible too but jbc tweezer unlikely to work without additonally software and hardware support
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Did anyone test this station (TA305 TC22) with original JBC stands and handpieces? Original JBC tips for (clone) handpieces are rather "easy" (they work well AFAIK) but what about JBC original stands and original handpieces with that clone station?
It needn't be checked. They will.
Example: JBC DDPE-2QB with original T210 + original T245 handpieces. DDPE only handles 2 tools unfortunately. "Unfortunately" - well, I have a third tool - JBC-AM120-A tweezers. Switching cables in DDPE-2QB stands is a nightmare.
Both of them use a single tool!
I'm thinking about Chinese clone (like geeboon TA305 TC22) for powering tweezers. Would geeboon TA305 TC22 work just fine with original JBC-AM120-A tweezers AND JBC original stand for these tweezers? And by "work" I mean sleeping, tweezers recognizing, tweezers powering etc?
Simple answer - forget!
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I ordered a Geeboon TC22 today with the SDC02 stand, for use as a second iron at my soldering workstation and/or an iron at my desk where I do development.
I have a Sugon T61 (400W, C470, C245, C210) and I absolutely love it. I'll probably order a Geeboon HC24 at some point and compare it to my T61.
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Hey guys. I have a few questions regarding Geeboon stations. I know that Geeboon sells 2 types of stands SSD01 and SDC20. I know that SDC20 has fixed the issue of sleep mode whenever you use brass wool for cleaning the tip as it is in direct contact with the stand. Now SDC20 stand does not have the "Sleep" wire coming from the back of it, if I use the station with just 1 tool in SDC20 stand it will recognize sleep mode and shutdown mode when changing the cartridges. Do I need to make some sort of modification if I am going to use tool switch with 3 SDC20 stands?
I have seen few Geeboon stations that have toroidal transformers. Did somebody probed the heater wire with scope is it half wave AC or full wave? Do other stations, with SMSP PSUs and toroidal transformer, have some sort of voltage leakage problem, not tip to ground rather to + and - of heater and to logic board?
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The SDC20 stand will recognise sleep mode and shut down as its within the connector.
I've also got some pictures of the stand's insides that I never posted and seeming as there aren't any, it might be useful
the stand weighs about 460grams with the cable, so it isn't enough to pull a c245 tip out but ymmv though some extra weight could be added
Last one is just what i used to make the t115 handle holder work from the other stand as geeboon didn't offer one when i bought it
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The SDC20 stand will recognise sleep mode and shut down as its within the connector.
So the "Sleep" wire for tool switch is just there if I am going to use older stand model SSD01. I have looked at the pictures and that yellow connector for the sleep is directly connected and soldered to the binder connector PCB which is then connected to sleep pin. That is nice to have.
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Did anyone test this station (TA305 TC22) with original JBC stands and handpieces? Original JBC tips for (clone) handpieces are rather "easy" (they work well AFAIK) but what about JBC original stands and original handpieces with that clone station?
It needn't be checked. They will.
Example: JBC DDPE-2QB with original T210 + original T245 handpieces. DDPE only handles 2 tools unfortunately. "Unfortunately" - well, I have a third tool - JBC-AM120-A tweezers. Switching cables in DDPE-2QB stands is a nightmare.
Both of them use a single tool!
I'm thinking about Chinese clone (like geeboon TA305 TC22) for powering tweezers. Would geeboon TA305 TC22 work just fine with original JBC-AM120-A tweezers AND JBC original stand for these tweezers? And by "work" I mean sleeping, tweezers recognizing, tweezers powering etc?
Simple answer - forget!
The last statement is not true, I personally use SUNSHINE S1 tweezers handle modified with JBC (Hirose connector), but the two soldering tips are controlled together and not separately. I always use bottom heat.
Tweezers handle: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007911705869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.40.2a0d1802Eoju2r&gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm
The soldering tweezers are used on Aixun T3B and Aixun stands (moded changed sleep and extractor pins ), Geeboon TC22 and HC24 stations with a SW03 switch and Geeboon stands SDC02 .
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I'm thinking about Chinese clone (like geeboon TA305 TC22) for powering tweezers. Would geeboon TA305 TC22 work just fine with original JBC-AM120-A tweezers AND JBC original stand for these tweezers? And by "work" I mean sleeping, tweezers recognizing, tweezers powering etc?
Simple answer - forget!
The last statement is not true, I personally use SUNSHINE S1 tweezers handle modified with JBC (Hirose connector), but the two soldering tips are controlled together and not separately. I always use bottom heat.
Tweezers handle: https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005007911705869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.40.2a0d1802Eoju2r&gatewayAdapt=glo2vnm
The soldering tweezers are used on Aixun T3B and Aixun stands (moded changed sleep and extractor pins ), Geeboon TC22 and HC24 stations with a SW03 switch and Geeboon stands SDC02 .
Hi ststefanov13,
As I can understand, you need "And by "work" I mean sleeping, tweezers recognizing, tweezers powering etc?" The quick answer is forget. You want a single tool device to manage a dual tool tweezers, how do you connect both TC-s ( to read only one of them, or both in parallel)? How do you connect both heaters (you want to be in parallel- the station does have power for that), but the firmware has a max current limitation, doesn't it? And finally, you need a tweezers recognizing. Could you explain to us how it is going to be done without hardware and firmware changes? And if it is possible, please share a video
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a dual tool tweezers
What do you mean by dual tool tweezers? JBC-AM120-A tweezers is a single tool.
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I mean, every tweezer consists of 2x catriges, they need to be read separately for a reliable work - dual tool
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I find final pinout GEEBOON handle in google drive :
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I have a Geeboon TC22 with the SDC02 stand. I love it. Great station. I also have a Sugon T61. It's good too but I am probably going to replace it with a Geeboon HC24.
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Geeboon HA310 450W:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SdyA9ipdzY (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1SdyA9ipdzY)
The manufacturer responded in comments saying something about monitoring the FETs for temperature, though they did not monitor the transformer. Probably not an issue unless you are doing high volume robotic soldering though.
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Does anyone have a suggestion for a cradle? I can't find much out there for the T470, so might actually have to shell out for the original JBC stand.
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Does anyone have a suggestion for a cradle? I can't find much out there for the T470, so might actually have to shell out for the original JBC stand.
RS400 claims to support T470, RS300 is plastic version:
https://www.martview.com/i2c-rs400-6-7-core-universal-c115-c210-c245-c470-handle-metal-sleeping-base.html (https://www.martview.com/i2c-rs400-6-7-core-universal-c115-c210-c245-c470-handle-metal-sleeping-base.html)
https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803559259285.html (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256803559259285.html)
But I don't see example photos with a huge tip in place.
Its not quite a copy of the HD-SD, which has features specific to t470 tips: https://www.tequipment.net/JBC/HD-SD/Soldering-Stands/. (https://www.tequipment.net/JBC/HD-SD/Soldering-Stands/.)
The other option is if the cast handle part on the geebooon stand is screwed in from below, you can extend that higher up with a 3D print or some standoffs.
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Does anyone have a suggestion for a cradle? I can't find much out there for the T470, so might actually have to shell out for the original JBC stand.
If the hands grow from the right place, nothing is impossible!
Taken here on the forum from the topic about C245 tips
3 pieces of a luminium profile, a bunch of "fuse holders" and four pieces of textolite.
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Hello,
There's new TA305 HA310 APP version 1.20 in google drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/130h8jJGOpZVBHfOA2Qrlgriyrr846Zvy
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Hello,
I'm new to soldering and looking to invest in a reliable soldering station, primarily for working on guitar electronics.
I was initially considering the Hakko FX888DX due to its solid reputation. However, as a bit of a tech geek, it feels odd to invest in something based on older technology—though I’m not questioning its quality.
After doing some research, the C245 tip ecosystem seems to offer some of the best performance and precision. I even went ahead and ordered a few genuine JBC tips. That said, I can’t justify the cost of an original JBC station, so I’m looking for a more affordable alternative.
Safety is a top concern for me, and I’m wary of uncertified Chinese products.
With that in mind, do you think the Geeboon TC22 is a good choice for my needs? My budget is around $150. Should I go directly to the TA305 for the linear transformer?
Thanks in advance for your advice! :-+
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Just got my TA305 - very impressed. My old genuine JBC (BT-2BWA10 analogue dial, but digital under the hood, unit) will be gathering dust I think!
Other than all the extra info and settings I get, it still boots fast (some of the digital display JBCs take unreasonably long) and has a shutdown timer unlike the "analogue" JBC. I would prefer a power switch on the front though.
@rexet - it sounds like a lot of people are happy with the cheaper SMPS station, I mostly went for the linear option to be traditional (note that half the added cost is in shipping once you pick the nicer stand option). The teardown pics suggest it's of good quality.
If I was starting off with a fixed budget I'd spend the money you save from going SMPS on a second handpiece (get both T245 and T210), and a bunch of tips for both handpieces (chisel tips are my mainstay, much better all-round than conical). If you have anything left then the auto-switch box and a second stand (go for the better SDC02 option) will make swapping handles MUCH easier!
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Thank you, Hydron, for your advices.
After reading through many forums about Chinese soldering stations, one topic that keeps coming up is the use of SMPS. I’ve been thoroughly educated to see it as something to avoid at all costs 😄! Honestly, I don't mind spending a bit more to go straight for the TA305 if it means better efficiency, reliability, and safety.
I don’t think I’ll need the T210 handpiece right away, but I might include it just to stay futureproof.
BTW, I have seen that Geeboon offers metal version of their handles for $4 more. What is the benefit of metal vs plastic for the handle?
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There is nothing wrong with a well made SMPS. But if you are spending $80 on a station, you don't expect it to last forever.
If you plan on doing microsoldering I would use T115 (0201, qfn modwiring, etc.) instead of the T210.
Metal might be a bit more robust and sink a bit more heat, I expect its worth $4.
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Nothing wrong with the plastic handles in my opinion - good enough for the OEM, and conducts less heat (which might be a good thing in this case!).
Other thing I forgot to mention RE TA305 vs TC22 is the screen is bigger. Buttons vs knob might be better or worse though - hard to tell without having used both.
There's also another non-geeboon option of "i2c PDK1200" that I was looking at, does dual handpiece (if you buy a second stand or the full kit) and is pretty well priced, but seems to have mixed reports as to how well it behaves (there's a thread here about it). The TA305 seems to be within ~10C of correct temperature with OEM tips, though I haven't looked at overshoot etc, or a wide variety of tips yet (arrived 6.30pm this evening!).
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Nothing wrong with the plastic handles in my opinion - good enough for the OEM, and conducts less heat (which might be a good thing in this case!).
Yeah ignore what I said, the plastic versions are good, I thought geeboon was referring to a metal tip, but the whole handpiece is metal: https://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/S3bacdcaf31bb447ab95bc17c91165bca0.jpg
I can't comment on if these are any good or not.
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Hello,
There's new TA305 HA310 APP version 1.21 in google drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/130h8jJGOpZVBHfOA2Qrlgriyrr846Zvy
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Thank you. Any change log?
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BTW, I have seen that Geeboon offers metal version of their handles for $4 more. What is the benefit of metal vs plastic for the handle?
I believe the "plastic" or "metal" version only refers to the connector type.
Plastic connectors are similar to the JBC Hirose connectors that looks like a mini-XLR.
Metal connectors are the one found on every T12 type station, a GX12 (or GX16 ?) connector (the kind found on many Ham Radio transceivers microphone input).
AFAIK, the "metal type" was used on the older Geeboon TC20A. I believe the newer TC22A uses the usual "plastic type" connector.
Side-by-side picture (first picture) :
https://fr.aliexpress.com/item/1005006157005258.html?spm=a2g0o.detail.similar_items.1.6283P1FzP1FzLK&utparam-url=scene%3Aimage_search%7Cquery_from%3Adetail_bigimg%7Cx_object_id%3A1005006157005258%7C_p_origin_prod%3A&algo_pvid=515d656a-d56c-460a-9d1f-ca4166419e9c&algo_exp_id=515d656a-d56c-460a-9d1f-ca4166419e9c&pdp_ext_f=%7B%22order%22%3A%2215%22%2C%22fromPage%22%3A%22search%22%7D&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21EUR%2113.49%2113.49%21%21%2115.47%2115.47%21%40211b680e17594329506625150ea726%2112000036027750442%21sea%21FR%210%21ABX%211%210%21n_tag%3A-29910%3Bd%3Aab6d7125%3Bm03_new_user%3A-29895
I'm new to the Geeboon brand. I was searching for a powerful T470 station. At times, I happen to restore older tube equipments... :)
I'm set on the HC24 "full kit", that seems to me like one of the best offer available today, at a very reasonable price considering the power and versatility
(Except for the cheap iron stand !)
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I believe the "plastic" or "metal" version only refers to the connector type.
No they actually had one with a metal handle, like this: https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/KELLYSHUN-C115-Handle-C210-Stainless-Steel_1600957346360.html (https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/KELLYSHUN-C115-Handle-C210-Stainless-Steel_1600957346360.html) I don't think they sell it anymore.
Connector type would be JBC (5pin) and GX12 (6pin) which is also important, and shown in your photo.
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Ah OK, I missed this one !
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New firmware for tc22 and hc24 on google drive:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SwbyB3bcFrNMGOF1WSqRP2o7aefq-gPY
Update Notes: HC24_TC22 1.27
1. Improved HC24 fan control logic, changing the control logic to reduce noise.
2. Improved algorithm to control overshoot, reducing thermal overshoot.
3. The power of the 210 can be adjusted to 90W, requiring a factory reset.
Fan not used with C245 tip on HC24 . Fan used with only C470 tip.
Silence is bliss.
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Has anyone tried V1.21 on TA305/HA310? No changelist with that one sadly :(
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Has anyone tried V1.21 on TA305/HA310? No changelist with that one sadly :(
Hello, I have tried.
Noticed in V1.21, they disabled cold soldering iron temperature measurement in shutdown state below 60'C, shows ---'C.
With V1.20 in shutdown state, station measured cold soldering iron temperature (room temperature).
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Has anyone tried V1.21 on TA305/HA310? No changelist with that one sadly :(
Hello, I have tried.
Noticed in V1.21, they disabled cold soldering iron temperature measurement in shutdown state below 60'C, shows ---'C.
With V1.20 in shutdown state, station measured cold soldering iron temperature (room temperature).
Interesting, checked this before upgrading and mine showed --- rather than temperature on 1.20. Have not found any changes yet in 1.21. Bottom right corner of graph screen has an undocumented "TMP MOD" currently showing "RG" but that was there before the upgrade.
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Has anyone tried V1.21 on TA305/HA310? No changelist with that one sadly :(
Hello, I have tried.
Noticed in V1.21, they disabled cold soldering iron temperature measurement in shutdown state below 60'C, shows ---'C.
With V1.20 in shutdown state, station measured cold soldering iron temperature (room temperature).
Interesting, checked this before upgrading and mine showed --- rather than temperature on 1.20. Have not found any changes yet in 1.21. Bottom right corner of graph screen has an undocumented "TMP MOD" currently showing "RG" but that was there before the upgrade.
Sorry, maybe it was showing room temperature in V1.19
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Alright team, I'm in now. Just ordered a TC22 station with T210 and T245 as a replacement for my Weller WECP-20.
I wanted something faster to heat up and with JBC tips compatibility, the fact that the TC22 is so much smaller is a nice bonus. I would've taken the HC24 if it didn't have a noisy fan, and I also don't really need 400W of power in my work I think. Can't wait to fire it up !
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Hello friends, this is Andrew from KELLYSHUN. Thank you for recommending our brand C245 and C210 soldering iron tips. We are currently also providing handles for these soldering iron tips. If you need any, please feel free to contact me by email.
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Alright team, I'm in now. Just ordered a TC22 station with T210 and T245 as a replacement for my Weller WECP-20.
I wanted something faster to heat up and with JBC tips compatibility, the fact that the TC22 is so much smaller is a nice bonus. I would've taken the HC24 if it didn't have a noisy fan, and I also don't really need 400W of power in my work I think. Can't wait to fire it up !
HC24 is completely silent with the latest firmware if you use c210 orc245 tips. Fan runs only on initial heating of c470 tip.
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I'm a bit fed up with the problems which seem to always increase of my Aixun T3A.
I was looking at the Geeboon tc22 - would you guys that have purchased it recommend it?
Especially for soldering with grounded PCBs and for very sensitive components.
Also. I imagine I cannot reuse the T245 handle I have on the Aixun?
Best,
Franco
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Haven't used my genuine JBC station since I got the Geeboon HA305. It's compatible with genuine T245/T210 handles, I have no idea what connector/pinout Aixun uses but if it's the normal JBC one then it should work.
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That's good to know ! I still went for the TC22 because it's smaller and I will never need so much power anyway.
I've been pretty happy until now with Geeboon tips. The better stand is really useful : station goes to sleep when you put the iron back, and shuts down power when you touch the metal part dedicated to hot swap tips. That's handy ! It also lets you connect the handle to the stand instead of the station. The handles are really nice and the cable, long and flexible enough. Tip choice is good and they heat pretty fast. I can now solder leadfree without trouble at 380°C instead of the 420°C I had to choose on my previous Weller WECP20 station. Honeymoon phase is real, but I think the station is good enough for my use. I'm just waiting for a few more tips dedicated to desolder (15mm "blade" tip) and 0402 soldereing (C210023 tip).
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After some delay, I was able to add a few extra features to my metal stand—enough to feel content for now, with plans to expand further later. The 3D printed files are available in my Dropbox link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/648h7fstnyvdovj0e7j8q/AOpF4xU689GUtja4dj5NpYo?rlkey=mdfk437en96cyai6mydwmdnqb&st=fa8f4tg5&dl=0. (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/648h7fstnyvdovj0e7j8q/AOpF4xU689GUtja4dj5NpYo?rlkey=mdfk437en96cyai6mydwmdnqb&st=fa8f4tg5&dl=0.) The tip extractor is made from a 20mm x 20mm stainless steel profile—you can drill and cut the desired holes, and even share your ideas if you'd like. Feel free to ask if you have any questions or ideas. Here's what it looks like:
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Well, I bit the bullet. I don’t like the handle as the tips seem to force into it while the Aixun have just about the same force as a real JBC. Let’s see how it goes….
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... I was looking at the Geeboon tc22 - would you guys that have purchased it recommend it?
Especially for soldering with grounded PCBs and for very sensitive components.
Also. I imagine I cannot reuse the T245 handle I have on the Aixun?
It’s a solid choice with a grounded tip and plenty of power to get the job done. Pair it with a switch to avoid constantly swapping tips, and it becomes a really handy tool. For using Auxin tools, just check the sensing pin (I did this a year ago). Open both connectors, find their pinouts, and you’re good to go. Look here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mfpvrczv5kyoslhg616gq/GBN-kit.mp4?rlkey=4fjon7s64agz48qhwg44pok1j&st=3ghfkgjr&dl=0 (https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/mfpvrczv5kyoslhg616gq/GBN-kit.mp4?rlkey=4fjon7s64agz48qhwg44pok1j&st=3ghfkgjr&dl=0)
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An additional add-on designed for Wep-Wihua tweezers (it might also support JBC, though I haven't compared—feel free to measure to check the fit), featuring the same 20x20x1 mm stainless steel profile. For the holes, I need some time, please. STLs are included.
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Pretty happy at this time. Thanks!!
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I found a comparison of the geeboon stations for End of 2025
@thm_w can you copy it in the first post, please?
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Video from BrANDOM: Geeboon TC22 - Voltage Leak Test and Temp Overshoot Test
Everything looks fine :-)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BepVEStPmJk (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BepVEStPmJk) (from 2025-08-27)
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I find final pinout GEEBOON handle in google drive :
@thm_w and @ststefanov13
The first post has also a wiring diagram and the T115 handle is different: A short vs. a 1k resistor. Which one is the right one? I guess the 1k one.
@ststefanov13
If true this thread has also the diagram without 1k : https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331)
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@ststefanov13
If true this thread has also the diagram without 1k : https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331)
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I don't have a geeboon T115 handle so I'm not sure, I assume that newer diagram is right and it has a 1k ID resistor.
Apparently genuine NT115 has no resistor: https://lajtronix.eu/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/JBC_NT115A_AN115A_Pinout.png
So I'm not sure what would happen if you connected a genuine T115 handle to the geeboon, if it would smoke the tip or not.
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I think the genuine NT115 has a totally different connector? So not much risk of being able to smoke it!
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@ststefanov13
If true this thread has also the diagram without 1k : https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/good-quality-chineese-soldering-station/msg5720331/#msg5720331)
See post https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/msg5895032/#msg5895032 (https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/geeboon-tc20a-240w-tc20b-380w-jbc-clone/msg5895032/#msg5895032)
http://www.geeboon.com/page110?product_id=68 (http://www.geeboon.com/page110?product_id=68)
Product Information https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SwbyB3bcFrNMGOF1WSqRP2o7aefq-gPY?usp=drive_link (https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1SwbyB3bcFrNMGOF1WSqRP2o7aefq-gPY?usp=drive_link)
TA305........png
Use google objective and translate from chinese
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Yes, NT115 has five pins and the Geeboon TC22 family uses six pins
[attach=1]
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Yes, NT115 has five pins (Attachment Link)
The connector for the nt115 is completely different from the Hirose one.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005894421782.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.371d38daeZcEx7&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21BGN%21BGN%205.33%21BGN%205.33%21%21BGN%205.33%21%21%21%402103847817648760813347280e42a3%2112000034746029880%21ct%21BG%212030685502%21%211%210 (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005894421782.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.371d38daeZcEx7&mp=1&pdp_npi=5%40dis%21BGN%21BGN%205.33%21BGN%205.33%21%21BGN%205.33%21%21%21%402103847817648760813347280e42a3%2112000034746029880%21ct%21BG%212030685502%21%211%210)
HC24 and TC22 tested and work with t12(hakko t15 for europe ),c115,c210,245 and !!!!!! c120 (jbc AM120) two cartridges in parallel , HC24 + c470,
Diagram of last cartridges connection is Geeboon web site and google drive.
Low cost variant for AM120 is handle from Sunshine S1.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007911705869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.24.58031802rcSoMT (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007911705869.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.24.58031802rcSoMT)
One of my Geeboon TC24 + Sunshine S1 handle, has been modified to work with a foot switch. When the foot switch is pressed it heats up to operating temperature, when it is not pressed the foot switch goes into shutdown.
See pin 4.
It is very convenient to work with SMDs without overheating them.
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One of my Geeboon TC24 + Sunshine S1 handle, has been modified to work with a foot switch. When the foot switch is pressed it heats up to operating temperature, when it is not pressed the foot switch goes into shutdown.
So you connected both heaters of the C210 S1 tweezer in parallel? How did you change the ID resistor between pin 5 and 6? Did you keep the short or did you remove it so that the station assumes it is a C245 for more power?
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Pinout for c120 is identical with c210. short between 5 and 6 pin. The station sees the tweezers as c210.
The c120 cartridges are left and right side, but essentially it is a c210 cartridge.
You need to choose the cartridges as close as possible to the operating temperature (use soldering thermometer) , and to reduce the target power a little, the resistance still becomes half as much, and the current is 2 times greater.
The station measures the current (voltage drop across the shunt) , knowing the target power and voltage, and limits the power using PWM modulation (TC22 and HC24). Аnd based on this it calculates the resistance of the heater.
It is not recommended to use the c210 and c120 on the same station (e.g. an electronic switch for multiple handles) so that you do not have to constantly adjust the desired power when changing handles.
The problem is that in the thermocouple c115, c210 and c120 the seebeck coefficient (uV/C) is much steeper than c245,c470 and t12 and separately the cartridges are much less thermally inert due to their smaller mass, the station has to correct the current power much faster.
It should take more measurements of the current temperature per second, perform filtration, and adjust the current power supplied to the heater.
For this purpose, not one but 2 or 3 separate ADCs with DMA in the microcontroller (MCU) are used.