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Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

pine64.com

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Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#11

Post by syntaxing »

walrus01 wrote: post #6
pablo1 wrote: post #2

How does it compare to the TS100?

I think the TS100 has a big advantage that you can easily rig up a barrel DC connector to XT60/XT90 connector, and use it to solder directly from a charged portable lipo battery. https://www.google.com/search?q=ts100+lipo+cable&client=fire...

The Pinecil has a barrel jack as well (at least on the website, not sure if this holds true on the product)

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#12

Post by syntaxing »

linsomniac wrote: post #5
pablo1 wrote: post #2

How does it compare to the TS100?

I want to say the Pinecil, which I've been anxiously awaiting, is significantly less expensive... But shipping of $11 (though looks like I accidentally selected courier shipping so it's more like $50) brings it up closer to parity with the TS-100 kits you can get on Amazon for the TS100s. I'm still really excited about the Pinecil though! I don't solder a lot, so I'm looking forward to having a quick kit I can whip o…

Same, super excited to have something on my desk rather than setting up my Weller! I would argue this is closer to a TS-80 than a TS-100, which cost usually around $75.

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#16

Post by londons_explore »

It's theoretically possible with USB-C to avoid the power MOSFET for the heater, and instead instruct the power supply to vary the voltage between 5v and 20v which should adjust the heat output by a factor of 16... Could be a neat way to make an ultra low cost iron...

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#17

Post by Nextgrid »

londons_explore wrote: post #16

It's theoretically possible with USB-C to avoid the power MOSFET for the heater, and instead instruct the power supply to vary the voltage between 5v and 20v which should adjust the heat output by a factor of 16... Could be a neat way to make an ultra low cost iron...

What could be the max switching frequency of a USB-C power supply? I'm assuming the MOSFET allows fine-grained PWM of the heater which the power supply itself may not be able to replicate.

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#18

Post by [deleted] »

linsomniac wrote: post #5
pablo1 wrote: post #2

How does it compare to the TS100?

I want to say the Pinecil, which I've been anxiously awaiting, is significantly less expensive... But shipping of $11 (though looks like I accidentally selected courier shipping so it's more like $50) brings it up closer to parity with the TS-100 kits you can get on Amazon for the TS100s. I'm still really excited about the Pinecil though! I don't solder a lot, so I'm looking forward to having a quick kit I can whip o…

[deleted]

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#19

Post by voxadam »

wheybags wrote: post #9

For the ignorant software only folks like me: why would a soldering iron need a CPU?

The biggest application is probably closed-loop PID temperature control. Such a control loop doesn't take much of a CPU but it definitely exceeds the capabilities of something like a 555 timer.

Re: Pinecil: Portable USB-C RISC-V soldering iron

#20

Post by cunidev »

Squonk42 wrote: post #4

"Device Warranty: 30 Days" => Totally illegal in my country

I think it may be legal, since saying it qualifies as a disclaimer. Basically the default is 24m (EU) or 12m (US), but it should be legal to explicitly state another term for warranty.

Some shops have down to 1 week of warranty, some (e.g. wholesale items) may state to accept no returns, etc.

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