CFW for KSGER/Quicko STM32 Soldering Stations

[rokko]

Hello guys, maybe it's a bit wrong thread, but I am looking for CFW compatible T12 soldering station + hot air gun and need your advice what to purchase. I know that 858D is most recommended hot air gun, but would like to have a compact one, so after searching through aliexpress for few days got these options:

Handskit:
Hot air - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002965789645.html - (pros: cheapest one, separate gun stand; cons: not sure about overall quality, has calibration issues, requires replacement of some resistors and adding case grounding)
T12 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003155390894.html - (pros: cheapest one, has stand and ok handle I guess; cons: also not sure about overall quality, and about MCU used in latest versions (vendor could cheap out and use STC boards, those are used in their same stations but with external PSU), OLED with not standard pinout and low brightness)
* I don't mind some HW rework if overall their HW design in terms of schematic and elements placement is ok.

Quecoo:
Hot air - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004884759470.html - (could not find any reviews)
T12-955 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001608493682.html - (pros: price is good, especially with 5 tips (not sure about their quality), CFW compatible; cons: slow I2C display)
T12-958 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005002724765690.html - (pros: SPI display and some HW updates as told by vendor (?), CFW compatible; cons: price)
T12-958 V3.1S - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003302164155.html - (what is the difference vs T12-958?)
* both have sturdy aluminium handle, but I'm not sure about how fast it will get uncomfortably warm during long soldering sessions.
** also are these T12 both have best HW implementation in terms of grounding or only 958?

KSGER:
Hot air - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32844169715.html - (pros: non hazardous connection of heat gun, saw review on youtube, looks like it's all good, but it wasn't indeep review, so don't know does it need any HW changes or not; cons: price)
V2.1S - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32871815985.html - (pros: same as Quecco's; cons: price)
V3.1S - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000453770565.html (pros: same as Quecco's; cons: even higher price, especially with decent handle)

Some paired devices:
858DS - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003801198284.html - (don't know what's inside, there are any reviews)
KSGER 1 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33040946949.html
KSGER 2 - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32843211322.html
* as I understand none of these are supporting CFW?

Also was looking at OSS T12-X, T12-959, KSGER V2.3 - they are good overall, but have dimm display or bad color scheme (red-white or red-blue, like wtf) and I need CFW for ability to store calibration of different tips and none of these have this option.

P.S. What do you think about this handle https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004143441464.html? I like it's design and flexible strain relief part, but looks like overall it's like 9501 and other plastic handles, those may become soft close to the tip during long time soldering at high temp or does it have better plastic, maybe someone using it?
P.S.S. I've seen Handskit T12 with silver front panel, not sure what is the difference between them, but possibly there is STC controller in the one with black panel, can anyone confirm?

[DavidAlfa]

After a very long day fighting the clone sent by CRS84 (Thanks! ) I think I found the way to make clones work!

Got some hints in the Air32F103 docs:
https://wiki.luatos.com/chips/air32f103/switchFromSxx.html#adc

I tested literally hundreds of combinations!
I hope all these clones use the same ADC base, otherwise fixing the firmware for all of them will be impossible!

I managed to get it in a simple menu entry, "Clone fix", in SYSTEM menu.
By default it works in "Genuine" mode, so it will still jump around with clones.
Enable the fix in the menu, it will reboot automatically afterwards and hopefully start working nicely.

I need testers! Anyone with a fake STM32 in their KSGER / etc?

New release available!

[zhir]

I just received my first KSGER, and it has an MM32 inside.   
BTW, it is the plastic case version (not aluminium) and it has all "ChongX" capacitors inside.

SMD work is very risky with my limited skills. So, is desoldering and replacing it with an STM32 my only option, or could the custom firmware support MM32 in the future?

[DavidAlfa]

Not in my current plans, neither I have any MM32 myself, but it's pretty different, not just a clone, also it can't be programmed with a Stlink.
You have this alternative firmware for MM32:
https://github.com/koendv/t12-958

[zhir]

BTW, I just discovered this project :
https://github.com/wagiminator/ATtiny13-TinySolder

It's a minimalistic hardware+firmware for T12 irons: only 200 lines of code, including temp control, sleep and wake !   

[pxgenova]

Good day,
a friend of mine gifted me a new Quicko soldering station.

I'd like your project and i want try to install the cfw, but unluckily i did not understand what version of cfw to install. It seems that is installed a CKS32.

The board seems really like the one in deividAlfa repository:
https://github.com/deividAlfa/stm32_soldering_iron_controller/blob/master/BOARDS/Quicko/Schematic/SWD%20connection.jpg

Considering number of pin of oled it seems "first gen Quicko, easy to differentiate.!"
I also looked in dreamcat4 repository, but i did not found any hint.

I connected it to the pc:


1) What version will fit?
Quicko_STM32F072_SSD1306.zip
Quicko_STM32F072_ST7565.zip
Quicko_STM32F103_SSD1306.zip
Quicko_STM32F103_ST7565.zip

Thanks and Regards

[tatel]

https://github.com/deividAlfa/stm32_soldering_iron_controller/tree/master/BOARDS/Quicko/STM32F103

[pxgenova]

https://github.com/deividAlfa/stm32_soldering_iron_controller/tree/master/BOARDS/Quicko/STM32F103

Done with Quicko_STM32F103_SSD1306 , not fully tested but seems passed.

[DavidAlfa]

If it works, it's the correct one, simple as that 

[zhir]

David, in the doc you mentionned possible issues with KSGER's voltage regulator and suggested to "replace the LDO with a better one".
Any specific tech parameter to look for when selecting a better one for that job?

[DavidAlfa]

Your options are also described there.
Note that only few older boards are affected, newer ones rarely use that design.

[SynthKeyWizard]

At my KSGER station I had an empty place for an additional linear regulator and an additional connector from it at the PS board. I soldered 7805 regulator there and added a wire to the mainboard (replace the stock with a three pin). All the adc readings are OK now. If you wish - I can make a photo of this mod.

[czullo]

Hi guys today decided to upgrade software to DavidAlfa, tried to fit connector from STlink board but it did not fit into Quecoo board, any tip how to solder/connect it?

[ygi]

This connector's obviously the wrong size. Either use one that fits the hole spacing for your board or you can solder wires between the holes and connector legs and protect it with heat shrink wrap.

[Chris02]

Hey David,

just one question about PWR_ADC. Why do you measure the supply voltage? Just for showing it on the screen or do you need it for controlling e.g. pwm?

I plan to use your FW for controlling JBC high power iron. (48V instead of 24V). It should be possible with a few small HW changes.

Thanks & regards
Chris

[mastershake]

Hi guys today decided to upgrade software to DavidAlfa, tried to fit connector from STlink board but it did not fit into Quecoo board, any tip how to solder/connect it?

ive in some cases pulled out the pins and just soldered them making sure they are straight up into each hole and add a small piece of heat shrink towards the board side then you can plug the separate wires onto each pin.

[mastershake]

i double checked and all of mine are using real stm chips. if anyone has a knock off they want to send im happy to solder one in place of an stm and give it a shot. just lmk

[DavidAlfa]

Hey David,

just one question about PWR_ADC. Why do you measure the supply voltage? Just for showing it on the screen or do you need it for controlling e.g. pwm?

I plan to use your FW for controlling JBC high power iron. (48V instead of 24V). It should be possible with a few small HW changes.

Thanks & regards
Chris

For power limiting too.
For example, you can power a tip designed for 12V with 24V. The pwm will be limited to 25% so the effective power never exceeds its rated power

[Chris02]

Good to know, so using a 24V iron with 48V supply voltage should be also possible.

I'll order some parts, also an tweezer and share my project details. 

[zhir]

Hello, David.

While I was researching the market for T12 stations, I noticed that the HANDSKIT ones offer an alligator clip to be placed on the metal stand that puts the iron into sleep mode as soon as the tip makes contact with the holder.  I guess that's done internally using one of the STM32 GPIO pins?
Does your firmware support that feature? It would be great for Handskit owners.

[ygi]

JBC style handles like this C210 do not come with an internal vibration sensor. Instead, the stand itself is grounded and touching it will pull down the wake signal pin (same one that's used by the shake sensor but used differently). David's firmware supports that (check "wake mode" in operation manual). I have no idea whether that specific station is supported or even comes with STM32 (or compatible) MCU though.

[DavidAlfa]

In the case it actually uses a stm32, I'm pretty sure it'll be a "standarized" board, probably following the ksger V2 design.

[zhir]

On a side note, as I was browsing around, I noticed that the same company also sells a similar-looking unit but with a heatgun. And guess what? It´s an STM32 too! 
David, hot air stations need a better firmware as well !  You could start a new project!
These units are cheap. Think about it.

[DavidAlfa]

I won't anytime soon neither in my planning at all, I have a life!

[ygi]

I'm sure I can find enough junk with trash tier firmwares on aliexpress to keep you busy for your next 10000 lives