Voltlog #85 - STM32 OLED T12 Soldering Station

Today we are taking a look at this soldering station which I got from Taobao, the chinese Ebay. This unit is fully contained, power supply is built-in, it works with T12 Hakko tips and it has this nice 1.3 inch OLED display.
STM32 OLED T12 Soldering Station
Ebay: voltlog.com/y/s...
STM32 OLED T12 Soldering Station or Controller
Aliexpress: voltlog.com/y/q...
T12 Soldering Iron Tip
Aliexpress: voltlog.com/y/2...
Ebay: voltlog.com/y/f...
Power Supply 24V 4A
Aliexpress: voltlog.com/y/5...
Ebay: voltlog.com/y/h...
Taobo original seller for stm32 soldering station
voltlog.com/y/w...

[@Hackvlog]

Good looking soldering station with some nice features. The vibration sensor seems to be a FAIL, like you pointed out. It either needs to be way more sensitive or replaced with other kind of sensor. What I like about that sensor is that it doesn't require anything on the stand, so one can use any soldering iron stand, without losing stand-by feature. Great video!

[@voltlog]

the sensor has two limitations from what I could gather so far: 1. it only triggers on movement in the vertical axis 2. it should be more sensitive and trigger more easily, just with a simple grab of the handle. I think these switches are available with different grades of sensitivity I will try to get one that has higher sensitivity.

[@voltlog]

@ChaosR can you please give me the part number from your vibration switch?

[@jeffescortlx]

I know this post it old, but I think the newest firmware has a "Shake" or "Auto" setting, I assume to make the switch trigger the sleep/wake on one trigger without shaking when set to auto.

[@jeffescortlx]

The same version/model listed on ebay now show a different PSU. The new one is much more populated.

[@voltlog]

this is an older video of mine so they must be sourcing a new power supply.

[@acoustic61]

I’m curious why a TS100 portable iron has better thermal performance than this? With a 24V supply, it heats in 6 seconds. They are both based on STM32. Both use similar cartridge tip. Obviously different circuit design, but you’d expect the portable iron to have worse performance.

[@voltlog]

I would say the most important factor is the difference in cartridge, then there is the software and control method that could provide small improvements.

[@acoustic61]

Have you tried using a TS100 cartridge in the T12 soldering station?

[@voltlog]

no, I don't have a TS100.

[@acoustic61]

It would be an interesting comparison to see if the TS100 tips are better. They do cost 3x T12 tips. I'd like to see a comparison of generic Chinese cartridges for thermal performance and longevity etc.

[@serpentiny99]

Could someone can tell me how to choose English language at the STM32 controller because I assembled my iron station but when I turn on it shows ERROR doesn't heat and language is China only.

[@juliusvalentinas]

my weller 40W has 4x larger transformer and no SMPS crap. I've dropped it several times, and it still works, cross fingers. This is nice also, the tips are cool. It's hard to get tips for weller due to the fact they must be specific diameter and length. I would replace the PSU with toroid + audio quality linear one, good isolation and long term operation, even the china ones.

[@juliusvalentinas]

Maybe I should get the iron itself and hack it to fit weller, it also uses 24V. You did not test if the tip puts out voltages, I read that can damage sensitive IC's and chips.

[@voltlog]

We all know, Weller, JBC, Metcal. Hakko are good quality irons, unfortunately not priced for the average hobby user.

[@juliusvalentinas]

I have 40W 230Vac WHS40 Weller, current price 98 Eur still cheaper than your considering one does not have friends in China.

[@voltlog]

Hakko T12 tips are 70W so more capable in terms of power. Also easier to find cheap tips than it is with Weller..

[@michaldvorak4260]

Size of transformer doesn't depend just on power being transformed, but on frequency as well. Switch mode power supply typically operates at much higher frequency than linear one, therefore transformer is going to be much smaller as well.

[@Datzfunk]

Hi, I wasn't able to make out the model of op-amp when you said it? ACP6002?

[@gandsnut]

Is the hacking (of the MC) done by using the unconnected solder points at the top-center of the controller board? Also, is an interface from this PCB to USB (for the hacking) needed? Thx.

[@nomadic_rider42]

you would need ST-Link Programmer. You can get clones for 2-3 $ on Ebay.

[@voltlog]

correct, a programmer is required.

[@therealb888]

Why is it only 4 pin?

[@RoloisRight]

Thanks for the video. There's not many videos for these units in english so yours is very helpful. I've been thinking about getting the DIY kit, but I'm happy to hear you'll be doing a video for it in the future so I might just wait for that since I'm not in a rush to order one. If there isn't much difference, the assembled unit looks like a good value. The vibration sensor is a cheap replacement. My only complaint about the assembled units is they all have the power switch on the back. I would need to move it to the side or front if possible.

[@voltlog]

it's one of those IEC sockets complete with on/off switch and fuse compartment, there is no other place where you can mount that..(maybe on the side, but it wouldn't look nice) I keep it on my workbench, it's pretty accessible in my case so it doesn't bother me.

[@RoloisRight]

I was thinking replacing the socket to one without the power switch, keeping the socket in the back, and then wiring a separate power switch to the side or front. I'm a small guy and hate reaching to the back to power stuff on ;)

[@voltlog]

yeah, you could just cancel the switch on the back, and run wires to another switch..

[@vutien8736]

RoloisRight p

[@TheTTVert]

Do you have any idea where we can find documentation on the various settings. I see "cold end adjustment" and can set to cpu or NTC but i'm not sure of the repercussions of changing this.

[@robertd5916]

Can you link to exactly the station you are using ?

[@AttilaAsztalos]

Regarding the heat-up times - I can only guess, but I assume the station is running some sort of (rather poorly tuned) PID regulator, and the derivative term might cause a much larger thermal boost on a cold start when the difference to the target is much larger than when starting from 100C. Then again, I'm happy with my non-regulated direct-mains iron, so I'm clearly not to be trusted...

[@voltlog]

Well the model I am showing works a little better than a non-regulated iron :-)

[@flemardo]

I wonder why that specific model costs 100+ on ebay, similar stations range from 35-50.

[@voltlog]

I don't know the current situation but a few years ago when I purchased this, it was the best model you could find in Shenzhen, it was based on stm32 microcontroller, had good quality enclosure and power supply and most importantly had good firmware.

[@javierpallalorden]

Very nice soldering station, thank you for the video.

[@voltlog]

thanks! I am already using it and I'm very happy with how it performs.

[@kampkrieger]

sounds great, i got one. But it only shows "ERROR" on the display :(

[@DeeegerD]

IDK? The 936 seemed to be a better performer on heat up. Looking at Taobo's price the others are ridiculous. Now I need a Chinese pen pal ;)

[@voltlog]

yes, the profit margin for the re-sellers is way up..

[@rubenuspv]

Excellent review as usual and very nice soldering station, I've played with those sw-200d, on my tests when I connected: 5v - 10k_resistor - arduinopin - greypin_sw200d_goldenpin - ground was very sensitive to movement, connecting the on reverse (grey pin to ground) was way less sensitive, maybe that's the problem or maybe it's software related.

[@voltlog]

Unfortunately If it's software related, some kind of filtering/debounce than there is nothing I can do.. I could at least measure the switch on the handle and see if it triggers on more subtle movement.

[@rubenuspv]

Well, you can write software for your soldering station, I made one also with an stm32 (arduino nano style board), there is support on arduino IDE for this MC, check stm32duino dot com.

[@voltlog]

yes, that sounds nice, I don't even need arduino support as I am familiar with programming the STM32 in C. However I don't have the time to do that.. you know, busy making videos :-)

[@adaminsanoff]

I bought this one as kit but could not figure out how to connect sleep switch. Anyone knows?

[@avejst]

good job. thanks for you for all of us

[@voltlog]

thank you for watching!

[@folxsgalaxy993]

I wish to be able to buy that kit soon on aliexpress in price of that 25$ with free shipping! Nice review of cheap soldering stuff

[@voltlog]

I think it will slowly start to show up in other places and the price will drop.

[@folxsgalaxy993]

VoltLog I hope so:)

[@tmdcbass]

That's a significant overshoot on the set temperature.. Can you calibrate it?

[@voltlog]

The overshoot might be caused by multiple factors which are not user adjustable.

[@RicardoCooper]

Does anybody know where to download the latest firmware and how to update it?

[@DanielHeppner]

How much does this whole package weigh? I'm trying to estimate the shipping cost with a freight forwarder.

[@voltlog]

complete station + handle + stand is around 750 grams.

[@ibrahimkayani2824]

the PCB in the Handel worries me I don't trust it for long periods of time of use

[@voltlog]

You could always go for a genuine hakko handle.

[@ibrahimkayani2824]

VoltLog ty could u plz make a video on how I can make a good power supply from a PC psu I have laying around

[@muhanedel-khafaji8544]

Great review 👍 Thanx alot

[@4mb127]

I wonder where can I buy genuine Hakko tips on the cheap? I guess there's only the option of paying a lot or paying and praying.

[@voltlog]

If genuine is a must then I would only trust authorized distributor.

[@Hagis2k]

Nice review i really like your quality videos, that would almost be worth buying and maybe hacking it and place 18650 batteries to reach around 24V and make it portable? Seems like enough space to fit 12 18650 and then a balanced charger as the unit seems really nice and portable, like if you need to solder some wires in your car etc? :)

[@voltlog]

I'm not into battery powered portable soldering, I think I needed that maybe once in my lifetime. But nevertheless it should be possible to use 18650 batteries plus a boost converter up to 24V to power this thing. As long as there is energy stored in the batteries, the converter will provide 24V 4A and the iron will heat up just as fast.

[@Hagis2k]

I see no reson why it should not work it totally depends on what type of cells you are using if we take ones that can handle high current discharge like in cordless tools then 7 batteries in serie would give you almost 30V with then if we add another set of series connected batteries in paralell with the first one we could have 30V and 6.8Ah in current that together with a dc/dc converter we can easily supply 24V and over 4A if needed.

[@chickengod100]

There is no thermistor in the handle, how exactly to control the temperature of the tip at the location of the thermistor on the controller Board?

[@voltlog]

thermocouple is located inside the T12 tip.

[@chickengod100]

To determine the temperature with a thermocouple, you need to know the cold junction temperature. For determining the temperature of the cold junction thermistor is used. In this version of the controller, the thermistor is located on the controller Board. Perhaps it measures the temperature of the environment that can be described as the cold junction temperature. But can measure the temperature of the components on the Board, then only on the testimony of the hot thermocouple calculations the temperature of the tip will not be accurate. Try to put the unit in a cooler or warmer place than the tip and measure the temperature deviation. Then it will become clear if the thermistor give temperature of the cold junction.

[@voltlog]

the handle could change temperature just as easily so I don't think it's a better place to keep the cold junction compensation sensor.

[@chickengod100]

But on your controller it is. Термистор расположен на контроллере. Четыре провода рукояти не предполагают подключение термистора. In addition, the controller version 1.5, there is no tips base .

[@vicever08]

The thermistor is one the PCB board if not in handle. In that case, there will be slight temperature error, same as JBC station( not exactly same, JBC has better tip which generate less heat on the contact).

[@jlegen]

interesting device, but what about that overshooting? setting 280° and getting >300 (?) would be a bit scary for me...

[@voltlog]

yes it's not perfect, it would be nice to have access to the firmware and adjust the PID control loop parameters(assuming it's using PID). I've noticed it does that when it tries to reach the set temperature first time, going up from a lower temp. Afterwards in normal regulation I noticed better regulation. But anyway it doesn't scare me :-)

[@jlegen]

VoltLog according to firmware - this guy www.stm32duino.com/viewtopic.php?t=1433 seem to have ported this project hackaday.io/project/3417-hakko-907-based-soldering-station to the stm32. And the result seems to be quite similar to your device... :-)

[@voltlog]

I was reading that forum post the other day, thank you for sharing. It certainly is possible to try and modify that to work on this controller or any other from aliexpress. I am too busy making videos though.. :-)

[@PeterRidge]

Many of these inexpensive soldering stations (and hot air stations, too) overshoot the set temperature, often by a significant amount. They're rather notorious for it. For future soldering station videos, it would be beneficial to include some measurements of how far the unit overshoots and how long it takes to settle to the correct temperature. A fast heat up doesn't mean much if you have to wait a while before being able to use the iron at the requested temperature. Good review. It's fun to see these new devices.

[@voltlog]

@Peter thanks for the tip. I will try to include an external temperature log/graph in future reviews.

[@nomadic_rider42]

Nice review. The only thing I hate is that fonts on OLED :)

[@voltlog]

YES! I forgot to mention, ugly font they used...

[@advertiva]

Target for hacking

[@karlmorrison2713]

Do you have a schematic for this?

[@voltlog]

nope, I don't have a schematic.

[@krzysztofkrawiec3211]

Hakko 936 took 22 seconds till the light turned off.

[@voltlog]

the light is not a good indicator, the tip reaches the temperature later than the heating element which the thermocouple is measuring. But still, a pretty good result from the original Hakko.

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

OI OI OI can u bypass the power supply and run it from a 24v battery bank instead??

[@voltlog]

As long as you give it 24V 4A you can run it from a nuclear reactor as well :-)

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

not QUITE.... the bank goes up to 30v on equalize and 28v on boost charge during the day.... wot ya think about them apples?? does the unit have a voltage tollerance without using a dcto dc converter and is the input after the powersupply dc or ac??

[@voltlog]

the input on the controller is DC, regarding the voltage question you would have to find a datasheet for the T12 tip and check the maximum allowed voltage. My guess is that working at 30V is not ok for the heating element.

[@OffGridAussiePrepper]

ok thks

[@madrian_hello]

How can I buy a chinese friend? 😜

[@shwoard386]

are you going to do a build with the unit from Ebay? I have that one and am having issues finding info for proper connection

[@voltlog]

subscribe the channel, tick the notification icon, that video is coming next.

[@jeffcole5708]

I notice you have links to Aliexpress and I was wondering, does anyone ever receive what they buy from them???

[@voltlog]

It's like any other place, sometimes stuff doesn't arrive but you have buyer protection and you get a refund..

[@jeffcole5708]

VoltLog cheers for that

[@joyler2446]

L is silent in solder

[@benbaselet2026]

I wish people moaning about different accents could remain silent too.

[@StewsChannel]

Only if you're American, the rest of the world pronounces it solder.

[@samdeur]

Have you looked in to using a hall effect switch? instead of the currently used vibration sensor. after watching this vid it seems that there is a part on the board that works with the switch?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/jWardnZ_ZrFmmsk

[@voltlog]

Some investigating should be done to see if the board expects a continuous low/high signal on that switch input or if it expects just a state change to trigger the timer. It was my intention initially to replace the switch but unfortunately I abandoned the idea due to lack of time.

[@samdeur]

that's well beyond my current ability and knowledge not to mention the hardware needed perhaps oscilloscope and such. perhaps someone on eevblog has the hardware / skills to do what you suggest.. of course one could simply mod the iron and see if it works what's the worst thing that could happen? not going to sleep for the period one is testing in ??

[@voltlog]

yes, the worst that could happen is iron going to sleep forever, or iron staying on forever.

[@akcesoriumpc6421]

i have one of this t12 clone... and this one have 110V AC on tip, seriously ? I wouldnt even consider it as soldering station, this is pure crap and i will avoid it at all cost, fast heating time and other "features" doesnt matter if you can simply fried an electronic chip in seconds...

[@gfxminer4809]

replace the tip maybe something wrong with the tip

[@benbaselet2026]

@@gfxminer4809 When the heater in the tip works with 24V and the handle should never receive mains voltage the problem is most definitely not the tip.

[@wombora]

Why do you need a friend to forward this to you? Aliexpress is delivering to almost all over the world. And most of the time with free shipping.

[@voltlog]

This came from Taobao

[@devcatx]

i can not so so underrrstand