Geeboon TC20A (now TC22) 240W - TC20B 380W - JBC clone

[minkok]

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

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

[minkok]

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.

[keenox]

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.

[thm_w]

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.

[minkok]

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

[Hi-fi]

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! 

[ralphrmartin]

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

[minkok]

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

[ralphrmartin]

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.

[Hi-fi]

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!

[ralphrmartin]

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.

[Hi-fi]

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. 

[Aboo]

There is no more useful info on the Taobao page. Except buyers who complain about the poor quality of the handle or tips.

What are the 'better' tips on Aliexpress for this soldering station?

[thm_w]

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.

[minkok]

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.

[Aboo]

Ok, thanks for the replies. I've ordered a TC22 yesterday. So I have to wait a while before I can test the tips.

[thm_w]

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.

[minkok]

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.

[TheRegister]

I would appreciate if someone can share a tip on disassembling the TC22 station - the front panel in particular.

[minkok]

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.

[TheRegister]

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.

[Clyde]

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.

[VisualGadget]

I took photo of HC24 internals. Good station overall.

[minkok]

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.

[megagad]

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)