CFW for KSGER/Quicko STM32 Soldering Stations

[ststefanov13]

And I say this to David. The polarity of the thermocouple c115 is the same as the c210,  my measurements show this.

[DavidAlfa]

Ah, great to know!
My only source of information about C115 was through few forum users here who did go-figure-what and completely confused me.

Negative TC output was a fairly strange and overcomplicated approach, but you never know with these brands...

[marck120]

Hello, which Quicko soldering station is compatible with the custom firmware ? Is the T12-952 or the T12-958 compatible ? Which exactly is the most recommended model ? Can you give me the link of the model to take please.

[DavidAlfa]

See github readme (x1000)

[marck120]

See github readme (x1000)

Thank you very much, I read it now thank you very much

Now I'm going to search for the station on aliexpress

Currently supported controllers:

Quicko T12-072: First gen Quicko, STM32F072 variant. Compatibility issues were fixed since v1.04.
Quicko T12-103 First gen Quicko, same board but mounting a STM32F103.
KSGER v1.5: Profile for STM32F103 (There are no other known CPUs used in this board).
KSGER v2, JCD T12, T12-955, Handskit: Profile compatible with all STM32F101/2/3xx models.
KSGER v3, T12-958: Profile compatible with all STM32F101/2/3xx models.
T12-958 v2: Profile compatible with STM32F103. Needs a mod for battery to work.
Don't follow the version reported in the original firmware to identify your board.
To this day, the easiest way to quickly identify your controller version is by checking the OLED screen connection:

4 pin (I2C) = Generic v2 (KSGER/Quecoo/Handskit/etc.)
6 pin (SPI) = Generic v3
7 pin (SPI) = Only used by KSGER v1.5 or first gen Quicko, easy to differentiate.
For KSGER v2/v3: As long as use the correct firmware, any STM32 variant (101/102/103/C8/R8/CB/RB) will work.
There are several compatible/cloned boards in the market that will work fine with KSGER profiles.

T12-951, T12-952, T12-956, T12-959 use STC MCU, not supported by this firmware.

Can I get this T12-958 ?

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005002724734568.html?spm=a2g0o.productlist.main.5.fa9c7d482u9HPZ&algo_pvid=e6069157-6077-4f19-8649-9ac06b7d49e3&algo_exp_id=e6069157-6077-4f19-8649-9ac06b7d49e3-2&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21EUR%2153.65%2145.63%21%21%2158.08%2149.40%21%40211b80e117263022808687725e212b%2112000021872809364%21sea%21IT%210%21ABX&curPageLogUid=sbLB4q6Ug23O&utparam-url=scene%3Asearch%7Cquery_from%3A#nav-review

[DavidAlfa]

Yes, as long as it uses a stm32f10x and oled display, it should work or be easy to adapt.
Though these days lots are being shipped with fake stm32, you might need to replace it for CFW to work.

[marck120]

Yes, as long as it uses a stm32f10x and oled display, it should work or be easy to adapt.
Though these days lots are being shipped with fake stm32, you might need to replace it for CFW to work.

Thanks a lot, yes from what the user reviews say it has a STM32F103 processor:

"It has a decent STM32F103 processor Extremely easy to calibrate hints and select hints and a myriad of menus that allow sleep time/temp and stdby time/temp."

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005002724734568.html



Let's hope it's an original stm32 otherwise unsoldering and soldering a new chip is a problem.

[DavidAlfa]

Btw, that one seems to be a T12-958 v2.

[marck120]

Btw, that one seems to be a T12-958 v2.

So it is compatible, I also found the STM32 T12-958 with the blue grip which is better I think.

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005003064223657.html

[marck120]

Btw, that one seems to be a T12-958 v2.

Sorry for a quick question, are the QUICKO or the KSGER not compatible with the original hakko FX-9501 handle ? In fact I saw that each model has different handles, the 958 has its own specific handle:

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005003059542690.html

[DavidAlfa]

They rarely differ, in the worst case you'll need to swap few wires at the connector.

[marck120]

They rarely differ, in the worst case you'll need to swap few wires at the connector.

Sorry, regarding compatibility I didn't understand which handle you are referring to, so the various handles on Aliexpress and also the FX-9501 are all compatible.

[wasyoungonce]

Well I purchased an KSGEFX9501 handle and its wiring is different to the Quicko FX9501 in that it is a 5 pin but:
Has no thermistor,
Shake sw is wired to P-
Is only 4 wires yet 5 pin plug.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005658134802.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.0.0.3a5c4f82rEvz36&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21AU%20%2445.39%21AU%20%2433.59%21%21%2130.43%2122.52%21%402103080f17269766508702094eaecc%2112000033917316491%21sh%21AU%211851760988%21X

Now it states for for V2.1S, V3.1S and V2.3 ....so they are telling me it might not work.   And of course it won't.....i measured it out haven't plugged in in.   Apart from that its dreadful in that the finger contacts are extremely poor and not contacting properly on any  solder cartridge ring

Absolute waste of money.....even if i do wire it with 5 core.....yes i can correct the wiring but the contacts are so poor its not worth pursuing

[marck120]

Well I purchased an KSGEFX9501 handle and its wiring is different to the Quicko FX9501 in that it is a 5 pin but:
Has no thermistor,
Shake sw is wired to P-
Is only 4 wires yet 5 pin plug.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005658134802.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.0.0.3a5c4f82rEvz36&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21AU%20%2445.39%21AU%20%2433.59%21%21%2130.43%2122.52%21%402103080f17269766508702094eaecc%2112000033917316491%21sh%21AU%211851760988%21X

Now it states for for V2.1S, V3.1S and V2.3 ....so they are telling me it might not work.   And of course it won't.....i measured it out haven't plugged in in.   Apart from that its dreadful in that the finger contacts are extremely poor and not contacting properly on any  solder cartridge ring

Absolute waste of money.....even if i do wire it with 5 core.....yes i can correct the wiring but the contacts are so poor its not worth pursuing

Look, I've been doing research for a short while, I'm reading up, I know that KSGER and Quicko are clones of the T12 system used by Hakko, for this reason I thought that the original hakko FX-9501 handle was compatible with all KSGER and Quicko stations, but I see that this is not the case, in fact there are various models of KSGER and Quicko and each handle is compatible only on some models, I thought that the T12 handles were all universal, from what I've seen instead some JBC clone soldering stations are compatible with the original JBC handles, personally I was thinking of buying a Quicko and I'm trying to understand which Quicko model has the best handles and which are the easiest to find on sale, for example I was also evaluating the Preciva 948DB+ but I discarded it because its YIHUA 506A handle is not very widespread, I only found one handle on Amazon.com. in short I wouldn't want to buy a soldering station where it is difficult to find the handles. Sorry if I've been long-winded, if I'm doing something wrong please correct me.

[wasyoungonce]

Just be aware they are not all cross compatibles.    I my base units are Quicko 958s and converted two to Open source controllers.  The open source snd 958 are compatible but not with some early Ksger handles. 

I just ordered a Quicko alloy fx9601 M8, 5pin.  It’s listed as ok for 958 station.

It’s completely different assembly’s yo the Ksger so hoping it has decent cartridge contacts.  My plastic Quicko Fx9501’s have that internal PCB with spring fingers.  They are excellent irons.    But I wanted a slightly shorter assembly and just to try one of the alloy handles. 

I’m guessing the quick version is better.  It’s holder assy look much better than the Ksger handle.

FWIW I’ll post when I get it.  I got the kit version as I have plenty of 5 core silicon wire from old projects.

[marck120]

@wasyoungonce

Excuse me but are the Quicko 958 all the same or are there different models ? Which Quicko 958 is best to get ?

Personally I found these two models, but comparing the photos one model seems updated with the grounding:

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005002724734568.html

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005003064223657.html

Regarding the replacement handles for the Quicko 958 I found these:

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005003059542690.html

You instead bought this kit to assemble right ?

https://it.aliexpress.com/item/1005006447963238.html

[wasyoungonce]

All the quicko 958 stations are the same internal.   They differ with the cartridges sold with them or handles sold with them.   I was using the basic plastic 907 plastic type handle.  When I purchased them I also purchased a number of differing cartridges.   So I wasn't fussed on buying more expensive version with cartridges they include....that i didn't want.   I do like the plastic 907 handle it works well makes good contact with the cartridge.  I love the Quicko T12-BCM3 and BCM2 cartridges..  I like all Quicko cartridges....so far.

here is 958 i purchased "Set 2".
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002724734568.html?pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21AU%20%2465.69%21AU%20%2465.69%21%21%2144.04%2144.04%21%402101e80f17269985523613363eeba6%2112000021872809356%21sh%21AU%211851760988%21X&spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.new_all_items_2007586013081.1005002724734568

These handles are quite good but I wanted to try an alloy handle.  So I got this 5 pin metal handle "T12-M8" "set 2 5C"
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32917116431.html?spm=a2g0o.order_list.order_list_main.5.5aa518020Spz6j

Its the middle one "set 2 5c".  Its holder for the cartridge looks better than the Ksger one I have but I won't know till i get it.

This is the Ksger 9501 M8 handle I got.   Its holder for the T12 cartridge is dreadful (its not shown in the images).  It has poor contact, the metal is poor, "not springy" and almost impossible to fix to get good contact, especially the GND ring contact.   I will fiddle with it but I think its a losing battle accept my losses move on.  As said I hope the Quicko one is better.   Its made differently and goes together differently .....so here's hoping.

Here is the Ksger alloy handle i ordered....and do not recommend.   It has poor cartridge contact.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005658134802.html?spm=a2g0o.store_pc_allItems_or_groupList.0.0.4f6d4f825ZDAA2&pdp_npi=4%40dis%21AUD%21AU%20%2445.39%21AU%20%2433.59%21%21%2130.43%2122.52%21%402101e80f17269990479342549eeba6%2112000033917316491%21sh%21AU%211851760988%21X

FWIW

[marck120]

Perfect, you were very clear, thank you very much. 

Later I could also take a different handle, they recommended the blue P9 to me, the grip is closer to the tip, the 907 handle seems wider but it has a metal ring to block the tip, perhaps it is more resistant, in the end the important factor is compatibility, at the beginning I thought they were all the same instead the quicko has the 5-pin connector, among other things there is not even a compatibility of handles between the KSGER and the Quicko.

Of course with all these versions of KSGER 942/951/952/956/958 you have to be careful about the compatibility of the handles.

I looked at the various handles of the Quicko 958 to realize the differences.

[DavidAlfa]

Don't get any metal handle, specially the "M8 black", they get terribly warm, way more than just "uncomfortable".
The blue one looks cheap but works well.

[marck120]

Don't get any metal handle, specially the "M8 black", they get terribly warm, way more than just "uncomfortable".
The blue one looks cheap but works well.

Well, thanks a lot for the advice. 

[wasyoungonce]

Don't get any metal handle, specially the "M8 black", they get terribly warm, way more than just "uncomfortable".
The blue one looks cheap but works well.

Many thanks...too late for me!  hahahaha

[Chris02]

Edit: It's similar to the KSGER v2.1 but seems to have some differences?

The display, encoder, PWM seem to be the same as the KSGER v2.1, but there are pins with unclear connections.

I didn't find anything about the CEIAH IC.
Seems  to be an independent voltage regulator for the analog? Or at least it sems to power only the op-amp and the stm32 VDDA.
I don't see the NTC anywhere, it's probaby in the handle like the KSGER. Or it might use the internal stm32 sensor.

I see the earth (PE, R25) is joined to the internal ground with a solder bridge. At least in mine, this causes a big reading offset > 70ºC.
I left the original 100K resistor there.

As a reference, check the v2.1 64 pin schematic.
https://github.com/dreamcat4/t12-t245-controllers-docs/blob/master/controllers/stm32-t12-oled/v2.1s-and-Ve2.1S/KSGER%20STM32%20Ver2_1S%20schematic%20rev%202_floobydust.pdf

Don't compare the pin numbers, but the pin names.
Ex.  PA2 is pin 12 in 48-pin package or pin 16 in 64-pin. If the same signal go to to PA2 in both, the firmware would work right away.

Hello,

is there any schematic how to make t12-955 C245 compatible? I'm sure anyone did it already, but I din't find something.

And I adapted a Quicko T12 soldering station to work with C470 cardriges (JBC Heavy Duty series). If it is interessting I can share it. Just some small HW modifications are necessary.

Regards
Chris

[DavidAlfa]

Follow T+ trace (R4, etc) must be connected to + somewhere. You need to isolate it from there and connect R4 to C245 TC pin.

[Chris02]

Thanks, it works fine. Should I make you a picture with JTAG connection and T245 mod, which you can upload on your GitHub repo?

What do you think converting T12 soldering station to a hybrid soldering and desoldering station?
Replacing the back wall with a custom pcb. On this pcb are two mosfets, two OP amps, a hirose connector and a DC connector. On the front is still the 5 pole jack for T12/C245.
So you will be able to use C245 and AT420 without disconnection any device.

Probably a new power supply will be necessary. And you need to connect 4 wires (2x PWM, 2x OP amp for temperature) directly to microcontroller pins from backplane.

There should be enough free pins on the microcontroller and hopefully enough space on flash?

I ordered AT420 right now. If you are not interested, no problem. Then I'll just double the mosfets for controlling two heating elements. (but will not be able to measure temperature of two heaters independtly)

[DavidAlfa]

Yeah that's all very nice, but I'm currently pretty away from the project, working 8h a day in electronics and also at home isn't sane