[Long] TS80P Thread

[Ralim]

Creating an issue to track the upcoming TS80P.

So anything said here is speculation at the moment 😁

My current understanding I have pieced together is that it is possible to just add support for the USB-C to the current TS80 build. I believe it is a USB-C interface attached to I2C, so expecting adding support shouldn't be too hard as will only require handling its configuration.

My plan is to acquire a TS80Pas soon as possible and get to work on the firmware side.

I have tried and we are not getting schematics soon (will eventually exist apparently).

I'll update this top message as things happen.
Try to keep on topic in the comments 😆

---

Edit 13/06/2020:

My unit has arrived, and I'm looking into support carefully now.
Looks like quite a few small changes (few resistors have changed), so will need to re-calculate some of the equations as well.

Not 100% sure if will make a different FW build, or if make TS80 firmware auto-detect.
USB-PD is just as complex as I remember it, still a bit of work here to go I'm afraid :(
USB-C

---

Edit 28/07/2020

Beta firmware is out, hopefully this works a fair bit better for everyone.
ROM space is a bit tight so still will probably do some cleanup before deploy but want feedback on PD.

[discip]

Ohhhh ... how I have been waiting for this! 👍 😁
Mine arrived yesterday!
I am looking forward to this becoming my # 1 soldering iron!

1. Although this thing is better than its predecessor regarding heat-up time and max temperature (Might be even more, I am no expert to evaluate this), I do not like the new 'sliding-handle-piece-thing'.
2. And I noticed the silicone USB-C to C cable being a bit stiffer, than its counterpart from good old TS80.
3. I do not know much about the internal of an USB-C plug, but it looks like there are missing some pins.

Nevertheless I think you (and everyone contributing to this) are going to make this thing even bigger than its predecessors including the TS100.

a big THANK YOU in advance
kind regards

[Ralim]

@discip Ah awesome :)

1. Yeah I'm not sure what i will think of the metal handle slide. I wonder if it will fit in the older TS80 plain case if you prefer its style? (I'm only guessing)

2. I'm sort of expecting that, it would have extra conductors in it i guess :| Still should be better than the ones i have here 😁

3. I would expect it to be missing the USB3.0/ high speed data pairs as they would be useless. There are USB-C plugs I often use that only have the USB2.0 pins fitted as they are much easier to solder. Possible its that style of connector.

I'm hoping mine will turn up soon. Once it does expect me to start poking at its support 😀

[discip]

@Ralim
Good evening,
thank you for your instant reaction.

1. Good news: The original TS80 sleve fits perfectly onto the new TS80P because the housing is exactly the same! (Because of the fact, that I do not like the slightest wiggle in the tip I am holding directly onto the 'muffler' (dissipator) and that way the tip is even shorter, which I prefer as well. So the most logical call was to replace the new handle with the approved one.)

2. Don't get me wrong I am happy to be provided with such an elaborate piece of equipment, but the first thing that came to my mind, was about eDesign having used lower quality wiring. Later on I considered the extra mass for extra power would add to the stiffness.
   One more thing about the accuracy of fit of the cable plugs: It is very tight!

3. I just thought distributing the 'power' onto as much wires as possible, would get the job done even better. 🤔

I am looking forward to this, almost impatiently. 😅

regards

[whitehoose]

Well I've retired! All the virus stuff has given me the opportunity to jump ship on very good terms.
With that in mind I wont be upgrading, because now I have virtually no need for portability - my existing kit will do. I still have about 20Kg of lead solder so I won't be needing more than 340c either.
Interesting to see the new kit - looks even more like a weller. If I've got the right end of the stick isn't USB3 already compatible with PD?
I thought if you use a QC3 device with a c to c cable it naively uses all 6 lines because the controller doesn't need to make provision for backwards compatibility with earlier usb standards.
As I understand it (if I do!) the USB3/QC3 and PD aren't in competition they are (and always have been) compatible, you just get given lower voltage\current if you plug qc3 into PD.
"Traditional" USB C to USB A qc cable converts 6 wire to 4 wire while C to C uses 6 wire comms and can talk to PD even if it cant take 12v.

[discip]

@Ralim
Good evening,
due to the fact, that I got an US wall plug, although I need an EU wall plug, I have to buy one myself.
But as you most likely know, there is an huge amount of wall plugs to choose from.

My focus is to get a reasonably small, well build (quality wise) and not to pricey one.
But there is more, I want to consider, before spending the money.

Regarding the specs of the unmodified TS80P, its max power draw amounts to 30W.
Since I am not familiar with the internals of the iron and its specific capabilities and considering the fact, that your firmware "overclocked" the power draw of the original TS80, I am wondering, if you think about doing the same to the TS80P? (Do you already know, if it is possible to push the limit without compromising the device? I am really all about, not shortening the life to this beautiful piece of art. 😍)

I hope you got my point. 😉

Since there are plugs providing up to 65W of power, but these are somewhat monstrous regarding its size, but also ones with 30W, I am wondering if the latter ones are sufficient, regarding the 🎆✨upgrades 👏🎆 you are planing to provide. 😁

thank you in advance
kind regards

[Ralim]

@discip
Indeed this is a good question.
By back of the envelope calculation, I think it will peak at around 32-34W. So I would lean towards a 35W or 45W small charger if you can pick up one easily locally. However, the firmware will keep the current ability to limit power, so even a 30W will probably be totally acceptable.

I have a 30W adapter here that I have totally pushed to 35W (gets a bit warm, but its done it for like 2 years now). So there is probably some room in there too.

I would pick either 45W/35W/30W depending on size and ease of picking it up :)
If the USB-C solution they have used works as I expect, then the iron can query for what limit to use, so it should "adjust" to match the adapter.

[discip]

@Ralim
Good afternoon,
here are some pictures, which, I hope could be helpful.
These are the specs of the wall plug:

This depicts the pins of the top and bottom of the same side of the power cable:

This shows the pins, top and bottom, of the irons inlet:

This is obviously the top side of the PCB:

And here is the corresponding bottom:

This was really not easy to achieve. Especially taking the pictures of the USB-C sockets / plugs was some tedious work.
Nevertheless, I hope you could use these. 😁

regards

[Ralim]

Glorious!
These are highly appreciated.
I'll probably dig into these more in the coming days, but already those confirm most of my thoughts which is excellent.

Looks like a dedicated USB-C PD IC, so compatibility should be good 😄 .

Those USB-C plugs are like I thought, no high speed signal pairs (USB3/thunderbolt).
Pins present:

• GND
• VBUS
• USB2.0 pair
• CC pins
• SB
• Vconn

Which is great as it looks like any USB-C cable will work, nothing "special" other than the nice silicone outer.

Interesting to see PD+QC on the same plug on the adapter as, as far as I know, you not "meant" to do that 😂 .

[discip]

@Ralim
That's great! 👍

[Hmurik]

Look forward to. My TS80P got into trouble, something went wrong while trying to change the bootup picture. It seems I accidentally messed up the firmware. When connected to a power source, the soldering iron does not work - only the default bootup picture lights up and nothing else happens. When connected to a computer, I see a virtual disk, the boot module for updating the firmware works, but there is no hex file for TP80P to flash it. A huge request - as soon as you have a soldering iron, lay out first of all the native firmware. Thank!

[Ralim]

Mine hasn't arrived yet but when it does ill definitely be racing to get a tester firmware up.
You could possibly contact miniware for a firmware for what came on the iron originally. But if not ill try and dump it as well in the meantime for you.

[DjordjeMandic]

What is this port protection? OVP protection or what? I cannot figure it out. The iron is around $80 on banggood especially now if you preorder it. Is it good idea to order it right away during the discount or wait a bit for few pcb revisions in case there are hardware flaws?

[Ralim]

I would be guessing that its just the OVP protection in the USB-C interface being used for marketing?

In the past there hasn't really been PCB revisions (other than the "upgraded" clone irons that are missing protection circuitry).

[Hmurik]

contact miniware
I sent a letter to miniware while they are silent. As soon as there is some result I will inform.

[discip]

@Ralim
Sorry but I have to ask again, do you think this one would work for the TS80P?

ps: What do you think about GaN technology in general, do have any experience in this field yet?
I read in some comments, that some seem to produce noise, compared to conventional technology.

thanks in advance
regards

[gutschke]

I have a GaN charger (2USB-C/100W, 2QC/18W). Works wonderfully for all my USB powered equipment. Haven't received my TS80P, yet, but should be here in the next couple of days. I'd expect it to work fine with that charger. From my limited experience, I can absolutely recommend GaN technology.

[whitehoose]

@discip.
Really it's back to square 1, As things stand, taking what happened when the 80 launched Its possible that a wallwart that works with an 80 won't work with an 80p or vice versa, the only way to know for certain is to try... or if Banggood or Ali are bundling - buy the wallwart they're using.

Hopefully the manufacturers have learned and improved their kit to expand the list of compatibility - but certainty ... only when you have one plugged in making the iron melt lead can you say yes for certain.

Small with big currents and voltages is never going to be a good idea - it also depends on your standing voltage. The US use 110v, you can virtually lick the prongs to test them - but UK, EU and Aus uses 240v - that will give you a very hard slap if you extend your tongue, it will even ump the wall to get to you - with 240v you need physical separation and ideally big air gaps between tracks to ensure safety.
I have a 5.2Kw 5v supply I bought from work - it still only delivers 18w to my ts80 - total overkill and would be a waste of money if I'd bought it just for the iron, Ohms law is tough - don't be tempted to over spec power (but you need a bit of wriggle room) - everyone lusts after the 1.21 Gw model - but if you're not time travelling it's just a waste The pixies only move at their own pace, unless you change the parameters of the path they won't speed up.

[Ralim]

@discip By my eye that looks like it will work 100% fine. Its USB-PD spec compliant, it has the 12V option, and it has adjustable voltage (which is nice). I see no reason against it.

I've only used some GaN chips, and for all of the power applications I have used them in they have worked perfectly no noticable issues at all. So i wouldn't be worried about it. If there are issues with the charger its probably due to other stuff 😂 .

At least PD is a fairly good spec, so they all should work :)

[discip]

@gutschke
Thank you!
@whitehoose
Thank you for your advice regarding safety and high voltages.
@Ralim
Thanks, that sounds very promising, I think I am going to try the above mentioned one.

[Hmurik]

Today, firmware for a soldering iron has become available for download:
http://www.minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=4085&extra=page%3D1
I was able to solve the problem with my soldering iron - it works great!

[brencerddwr]

I fully understand having a life away from stuff like this. I am just wondering about progress on this.

[Ralim]

@brencerddwr
Your welcome to ask :)
Indeed I do have a life 😅 But I have also spent a few hours on this so far; where I'm at is:

Working:

• Accelerometer
• Tip PWm
• Handle raw ADC measurements
• QC3.0
• OLED

Not yet working:

• USB PD
• Handle temp sensor

Have been focusing on the USB-PD and its just a nightmare to debug with the setup in the iron; I have ordered a breakout board for the FUSB302 chip inside the iron; but also will continue to test it as I have time.

Handle temp sensor is odd; not sure if they have moved the pin or changed something in the schematic. Will most likely need to trace the connection to figure that one out; but should be fast.

Main reason its a pain is that the FUSB302 is just a PHY so it doesnt actually contain any of the logic for talking to the power adapter; that all has to be done firmware side.

[denimjeans]

@Ralim
Thanks for looking into this.
I got my TS80P as well. Looking forward to use the boost function :)
Regards from Germany

[brencerddwr]

@Ralim, when you get to the point of the USB PD and handle temp sensor working, I would be willing to beta test for you. If I understand correctly, since it uses DSU to update firmware, it should be almost impossible to brick my TS80P.

[gutschke]

I'm excited that PD is implemented in software. In the long run, that should give a lot more flexibility. But in the meantime, it's just a lot of extra work.

On the other hand, I suspect that an initial release without PD would still be useful. Even if only QC is enabled, the device could be used. Features would be a little limited, but that's OK for beta testing.

[yawor]

@gutschke it depends. It gives more flexibility in negotiating the PD parameters, but at the same time the firmware is going to need extra space in the STM32's flash.
If I remember correctly, the TS80 used the same STM32F103T8U6 MCU as the TS80P, so the amount of the flash memory is the same, but TS80P is going to need PD logic implemented.

STM32F103T8U6 has 64KB flash. Current TS80 firmware size is 36KB + 16KB for the DFU bootloader. This leaves "just" 12KB. Some of it is also used for storing user configuration (probably not very much).

I hope @Ralim finds a way to fit everything there :).
BTW I've just received my TS80P, so when there's anything to test, count me in.

[paulfertser]

On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 10:35:59AM -0700, Marcin Jaworski wrote: How is it broken by design? Do you mean that MiniWare wanted to make a broken DFU intentionally?

Impersonating UMS for firmware update purposes is defective by design.

[skoehler]

On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 10:05:40AM -0700, skoehler wrote: The DFU should not attempt to read a file while it is being stored to the USB drive - but that's exactly what it seems to do.
For the reference, STM32 MCU that's used on our soldering irons has 20 kiB RAM and 64 kiB flash, and the firmware in ihex format is about 100 kiB. I guess you see how it invalidates your point. What DFU should really do is being a real standard DFU as defined by the official USB device class specification of the USB Implementers Forum. Then you would be able to use dfu-util or any other compliant tool to do the flashing fast and reliably. dap-boot is running on my TS100 and does the job just fine, every time.

You got me. I didn't think that through. So how are they doing it? Are they assuming that Windows would write the blocks of the file in order? No matter how they are doing it, I wholeheartedly agree with your second statement:

Impersonating UMS for firmware update purposes is defective by design.

[yawor]

@paulfertser well, I don't do anything like that. On my system I'm simply dragging file in Nautilus from my drive to DFU's mount point. Nothing less, nothing more. It has always worked for me. I'm not changing any system settings, I'm not emulating how Windows does this etc.
I've just provided an alternative using dd, because maybe it'll help someone if it doesn't work normally. I don't even know if it is going to work, as on my system it works anyway so I have no idea if this changes anything.

[skoehler]

dd if=TS80P_EN.hex of=/mnt/your_ts80_mount_point/TS80P.hex bs=512K conv=notrunc,fsync

How come you're not using unbuffered I/O? If my above guess of how the DFU works is correct, the writes to the output file must not end up in the cache where they could potentially be reordered. AFAIK, bypassing the cache is called direct I/O. Also, your block size is 512 Kilobyte! So the whole file is transferred in a single write call.

This command would use direct I/O and omit the sync call:

dd if=TS80P_EN.hex of=/mnt/your_ts80_mount_point/TS80P.hex bs=512K conv=notrunc oflag=direct

[skoehler]

@paulfertser well, I don't do anything like that. On my system I'm simply dragging file in Nautilus from my drive to DFU's mount point. Nothing less, nothing more.

This has never worked for me! Probably due to the fact that Linux has the cache enabled for USB drives by default.

[yawor]

@skoehler if you need me to check some settings on my OS then don't hesitate to ask. I'll try to provide whatever I can, because my system is definitely an example that it can and does work.
As I've said, I haven't changed anything regarding default storage settings on my system since the installation. Maybe it's just Arch Linux defaults that do the trick.

Regarding my dd command, I've forgot oflag=sync. I've had a different device which also emulated mass storage device for configuration purposes and it indeed didn't work with normal file copy. I've had to use dd like above with oflag=sync and bs=512. That's why I've posted this solution here as maybe it'll help in this case too.

[yawor]

Maybe it's a language barrier (English is not my primary language), but if I understand correctly the phrase "broken by design" means that it was author's intention for breaking this deliberately so it won't work anywhere than on Windows. Do you really think that was MiniWare's intention? Or is it just a lack of proper QA and testing on different systems? Unfortunately software design and software support in Chinese products is what it is, but I would go as far as to assign them bad intentions in that regard.

Sorry for the rant.

[mdroberts1243]

Hi. I received a TS80P with Firmware 1.23 and DFU: 3.50. I've tried multiple times to drop the TS80P.hex file onto the TS80P in DFU mode but it never takes and always returns a .ERR file. Is using the built-in DFU the right thing to do? Also, I can't seem to find this OEM firmware online at all, has anybody else been successful with this firmware or know the location of it?

UPDATE: I found the new OEM firmware TS80P v1.27 but even with that I can't seem to get the DFU download to work... can't update to Ralim firmware nor the v1.27 OEM version.

UPDATE 2: I gave up on Windows 10 and switched to my Linux machine. By writing the firmware twice I was able to get a .RDY
I tried both the (new to me) v1.27 and the Ralim firmware. I wanted to see if I could get the TS80P to work better with my USB-C Power Bank. I didn't see any improvement with OEM firmware but with the latest Ralim firmware I was able to get better results using the USB-C port with it running for a least a few minutes vs a few second on USB-A and with the OEM firmware.

[paulfertser]

On Sat, Oct 17, 2020 at 02:34:52PM -0700, mdroberts1243 wrote: with the latest Ralim firmware I was able to get better results using the USB-C port with it running for a least a few minutes vs a

But then it still turns off? Are you using the power limit setting?

[yawor]

@skoehler can you check your mount options when you connect your TS80P in DFU mode? I've just noticed that udisks2 adds a flush option in my system. This causes immediate write of data to the drive. This is a vfat fs mount option.
I think this should be set by udisks2 for vfat drives by default. So maybe it depends on whether your OS uses udisks2 to auto-mount your USB drives or not.
From what I read, the decision to mount vfat with flush option comes from a bug reported and a patch submitted in 2012 in the old udisks project.

[SantiCO19]

This is seriously awesome. Finally my TS80P is delivering performance near/at its true potential. The fundamental functionality is there, so far playing nicely with my power sources, and bringing out the potential of my power banks too, which I've not yet witnessed until now. For example, an $18 HAME H13D, (6800mah at 5V 1A, QC/PD up to 12V 1.5A) power bank is finally providing its max 12V, and gets me up to temp (650F+) in about 15 seconds, around half the previously required time. The added functions in the firmware are really USEFUL! No fluff, and gets out of the way, quickly, transitioning from an intuitive computer configuration menu, to the hot, pointy, metal thingy I need, when I need it. One thing I didn't like previously, was waiting for the stock firmware to initialize completely, before it would register my input and finally begin heating. Even the stock TS80 provided better response in this regard. The TS80P, with this impressive firmware, acknowledges the button press, and begins heating the moment the screen lights up. I currently use no start up image, but might add the, "NO SMOKING," found on my TS80.

I am seeing a cold tip temp of 128F, so perhaps I need to perform a calibration. However, I'll need to familiarize myself with the details of the calibration function first, to be sure. Ill submit my calibration number, as requested, should I wind up doing it.

I'm too excited to read the menu documentation yet, so maybe this is addressed another way, but one thing I always wanted was "shake to confirm," when setting the temperature. This could possibly be applicable to other configurable parameters too, but just now, when I set things up for the first time, the menu was so responsive, and intuitive, I only found want for this feature when setting the temperature. In my experience, pressing either button adjusts the temp parameter, and holding either button adjusts the parameter in bigger steps, so confirming the setting requires the unsatisfying act of waiting for it to time out. Anyone who has ever used a PAX vaporizer, is likely familiar with the intuitive, and satisfying nature of, "shake to confirm/set."

Lastly, the firmware update went differently for me, than other descriptions I've read. On Windows 10 64 bit, I connected TS80P, to a USB hub (technically, the second hub in a 3 hub daisy chain, at the end of a 50 ft. active USB 3.0 cable run,) while holding button, in order to enter DFU mode. A folder browser window opened, displaying the TS80P's storage, which contained a couple invisible files/folders. I dragged, and dropped the hex file below the invisible files/folders, and the TS80P disconnected from Windows. It continued to display DFU while I patiently waited for further indication, and Windows eventually regarded it as an unrecognized USB device. I decided to power cycle the TS80P, and upon boot up, the new firmware was loaded! Probably could have power cycled just a couple seconds after disconnect. No errors, nor odd behaviors yet.

Thank you, sincerely, for recovering my investment. Thanks to all who have contributed. IME, with stock firmware, the device was not worth more than 1/4 of what I paid for it. (Shameless self plug incoming:) Donating (PP) was a no brainer, and I couldn't have been happier to do it. Pardon the wall of text. Cheers-

Tip! HOCO silicone cables on AliExpress are high quality, and legit. 1m/2m, A to C, available in a few colors, and 1.5m PD C to C. AVOID: anything described as, "liquid silicone," "liquid silica gel," cable..

[philberndt]

I can't get the custom logo to work, the iron will not boot, any ideas?

[stiliajohny]

I can't get the custom logo to work, the iron will not boot, any ideas?

I suppose you did try the python script and you got a hex??
also, consider copying the file and then when the drive mounts again copy the file again

are you getting an ERR or a RDY file after you copy the hex

and last :) is this the process you follow ? https://github.com/Ralim/ts100/blob/master/Documentation/Upgrading.md

[philberndt]

I can't get the custom logo to work, the iron will not boot, any ideas?

I suppose you did try the python script and you got a hex??
also, consider copying the file and then when the drive mounts again copy the file again

are you getting an ERR or a RDY file after you copy the hex

and last :) is this the process you follow ? https://github.com/Ralim/ts100/blob/master/Documentation/Upgrading.md

Ok, I was using the windows GUI, python worked great, Thanks!

[Beyond246]

I've missed this chat, I've had so much going on(negatively, unfortunately) that I haven't even made one attempt in the last couple of months to upgrade my firmware.

I kept getting notifications to my email about this chat, and every week or two, I'd go back to wanting to come back and read every message and spend hours responding to everything relevant.

I still haven't even used my device yet, and I've got numerous tasks that have been staring me in the face., really wish I had ordered a brass ball from Ali already.

I didn't have too much free time to do this message, but I have full intention of going back through the last few months, tagging and responding to everyone who responded to me or made a suggestion to my issue; as well as bringing up any interests I have in what's already being discussed.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays and a solid New Year.

[Beyond246]

@SantiCO19 I just spent a while and couldn't seem to find them, do you have a link possibly?

Also, what thought process behind disregarding"liquid silicone" and "liquid silica gel" is there?

[SantiCO19]

@SantiCO19 I just spent a while and couldn't seem to find them, do you have a link possibly?

Also, what thought process behind disregarding"liquid silicone" and "liquid silica gel" is there?

Absolutely. I can't imagine there being cables superior to these, for our application. They are top mechanical, and materials, quality, and very reasonably priced [cheap!] Here are the ones I can vouch for, since I purchased from these exact listings:

A to C -
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858516897.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32858133254.html

C to C PD-
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000764411868.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005001319407551.html

Here are some others that I would wager are legit, but I have not purchased:

A to C -
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32863822101.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001089039267.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001233955218.html

Regarding my warning about "liquid silicone," each cable I purchased with this description turned out to be some nasty stiff cheap plastic cable. Further, they did not pass the spec'd current, so weren't even good for a standard use cable. And if you dig down in the listing deep enough, after calling the material 'liquid silica gel,' 'liquid glue,' and other things, you will see they finally labeled in one instance as, "PVC." If I'm not mistaken, that stuff makes highly toxic fumes when heated, so definitely not good for any electrical application. Here is an example to STAY AWAY FROM:

DO NOT BUY (confirmed) -
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001241922449.html

Hope this helps! Think I had spent my budgeted time on my original post, hence no links in the first place.

[tyeth]

really wish I had ordered a brass ball from Ali already.

@Beyond246 Pay a little extra and get in the UK/elsewhere from RS Components(next day collect or delivery), CPC, amazon/ebay. The brass ball is wonderful, although a wrung-out sponge serves well enough. Good luck taking the plunge and using it for something...

Also I enjoyed this thread like a long running gossip column / hackaday comment section about my favourite new toy the TS80P, so thanks and happy holidays to all.

[MacDragon]

Do hope the PD compatibility can indeed be improved somepoint, I actually picked up a small PD battery pack recently that seems to not be negotiated with at all ( but laptop does negotiate to the specified 18W ), but forrtunately it does have QC3 that works and actually gives out 12v at about 2A, but I'd prefer to be able to use the silicone C-C cable directly without adapters.

[Ralim]

It can definitely be improved, however so far I have not been able to find any units that my iron will not negotiate with 😢
Probably going to generate some firmware with just different timings to test incase its just my unit that is a "golden sample" :/

[MacDragon]

Happy to help try and test anything against the powerbank I have ( also have apple 87/96W power supplies that can test against somepoint if something new to test there, I recall they needed some work still too )

[sdaitzman]

Confirming that I’ve still been unable to reliably power my TS80P from my 96W MBP 16” supply 😢

[MacDragon]

Actually, just retested the powerbank again and it does actually work, it just took longer to negotiate than I maybe expected!

Though it does seem not entirely reliably, hmm.

[Ralim]

How expensive is the power bank? 🤔

If it's cheap I might pick one up to test

[MacDragon]

It was pretty cheap from Lidl here ( think regular price was 15e, but I only paid half as were clearing them off ), so not going to be an easy availability one. Once it's going it works fine and actually supplies more power apparently than official rating says, at least iron says taking ~26W at 12V, bank is supposed to be 18W rated. I was just using it for an hour or two soldering some light strips just now, but seems to be touch and go whether it negotiates first time before bank cycles off, but if just leave it, it power cycles and then successfully seems to negotiate second time round.

[Ralim]

Ah, so that may be the fun of not all power supplies "yell" their specs for long enough for us to get through the miniware boot code as well.
Hmm.
Will have a look into that a bit more, can probably shuffle some stuff a bit more to try and improve it.

if PD fails with CRC errors, the power supply will reboot and re-try which is possibly whats going on.

[MacDragon]

Sounds possible, if there's some simple stuff that could be tested easily I can help, already got cubeide installed for some other project stuff so I can change variables and recompile most likely to iterate something, and if there's some easy way to hook up debug stuff I have a j-link too.

[MacDragon]

Btw. with the dfu flashing, what status/error does .NOT indicate? not ready or not right firmware?

edit: not right firmware I guess, forgot it was the .hex and not the .bin supposed to copy.

[Ralim]

.NOT means that it was not interpreted as a valid HEX file is my guess so far. Generally only had that issue when I've sent a hex in invalid address range or accidentally senta bin or elf instead.

[tyeth]

Just finally updated to Pencil release from official firmware v1.23 because my Innatek charger (60w) kept resetting the TS80P. Got away with dragging the hex from the zip :) New firmware looks good, love the Extra info screens. Had one reset so far and a few times starting at 5V rather than the 12V set. Seems reliably at 12V now every time so I'll have to keep an eye on it. My saving grace so far / best purchase was the Ravpower PD Pioneer 20ah 60W powerbank (RP-PB201) as it works flawlessly with any firmware/device.

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On Thu, 31 Dec 2020 at 13:23, Ben V. Brown ***@***.***> wrote: .NOT means that it was not interpreted as a valid HEX file is my guess so far. Generally only had that issue when I've sent a hex in invalid address range or accidentally senta bin or elf instead. — You are receiving this because you were mentioned. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#630 (comment)>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABTBZ42WZ4ZN65X6TMVO43DSXR3OLANCNFSM4NHYDSSQ> .