JBC Compact CD2-2BE Problem - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: kaevee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 08:15:19 am
content: Hi,I am having a problem with JBC soldering stations model CD-2BE. The LCD is almost not readable, but back light is working fine though. I am positive the LCD is showing content though very hard to read.I would like to know if there is anything I can check on the station before shipping to a service center.Thanks,Venkat

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 08:41:16 am
content: UH OH .. I had EXACTLY the same problem with the same unit a couple months ago !! I sent it back for warranty, and 2 months later, still NO reply.They had to send it back to the manufacturers, and they weren't going to do a swap. NOT happy Jan !! Design fault? You reminded me to hassle them again.Good luck

author: kaevee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 08:49:50 am
content: Waiting for two months for resolution is problem is not acceptable. It seem we have very little choice.The irony is, I have hardly used it. Probably few hours since I bought it about 18 months back.I am yet to contact the local support. I hope they give some resolution quickly.Venkat.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 09:32:41 am
content: Yeah mate .. SAME story .. really pi$$ed off. Luckily I have several other models, some with small tips, so it was easy for me to forget. You reminded me :-)I bet there are others, maybe a bad batch?

author: PTR_1275
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 10:47:55 am
content: Digsys, dd you buy it from one of the local distributors here in Aus? If so, was it the company starting with M or O or another one?

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 10:51:14 am
content: I guess that LCD contrast voltage was either improperly adjusted at factory or drifted off.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 10:54:50 am
content: Does JBC have LCD contrast setting in menu? For example ERSA has it in hidden menu which is accessible if pushing encoder during power on.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 11:35:24 am
content: Quote from: PTR_1275Yup .. the M one :-) They used to be a great company years ago

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 11:38:59 am
content: Quote from: wraperI doubt it drifted, it was sudden ... I did have a look inside, and fiddled around ... so poorly assembled :-( I was saddened. They used to be precision made once.I didn't attempt repair / debug, as I could have easily caused more faults.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 11:46:40 am
content: Quote from: digsys on September 10, 2018, 11:38:59 amI was meaning station that OP has. As I understood it was from beginning. With this type of LCD basically there are only 2 possibilities: voltages going to it are not right, most likely contrast voltage (set by pot on PCB or MCU) or LCD itself is faulty.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 11:58:42 am
content: Quote from: wraperNope. In my case as well. It worked perfectly fine for a few days, then I put it aside for a few weeks? then next time LCD was dead (or 0.1% readable)

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 12:02:32 pm
content: Quote from: digsys on September 10, 2018, 11:58:42 amAs I said contrast voltage should have gone off, due to an issue with circuit or MCU setting corruption.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 10, 2018, 12:11:39 pm
content: Maybe, but it was still well under warranty. I had a quick look, and decided not to go further. I've bought dozens of JBC stations over many years ... never everhad this issue. I clearly recall that build quality has really suffered since. I even looked into making that open-source controller once :-) .. maybe I will

author: kaevee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 01:44:46 am
content: Quote from: digsys on September 10, 2018, 12:11:39 pmHad a word with local JBC support in India. The person whom I spoke to was very helpful and pro-active. My station needs to be sent to spain for fix, which will be handled by India support. But, I was offered a demo unit till I receive my station back.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 02:09:45 am
content: Quote from: kaeveeGreat news ... seems India support now exceeds aussie support ... all I got was a bitching - "we don't make hardly any profit on these, so we're strapping it tothe back of a migrating sea turtle ... and we won't ever keep you informed coz we can't afford the phone call ... still NO DAMN WORD !! Ima move to India ...

author: kaevee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 03:40:46 am
content: Quote from: digsys on September 19, 2018, 02:09:45 amI can understand your frustration. I suppose, they have more activity over here considering the growth in manufacturing industry over here. In fact, I took a big risk with JBC when I bought a full system (soldering, desoldering and hot air). They had no support infrastructure locally. I comforted myself by thinking as they are respected across the world and I can bank on that.Quote from: digsys on September 19, 2018, 02:09:45 amYou are most welcomeVenkat

author: Capa-Alpha
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 19, 2018, 04:11:19 pm
content: Quote from: digsys on September 19, 2018, 02:09:45 amThis is not a distributor problem, it is a JBC support policy problem. JBC requires all distributors to ship all stations with defects or warranty issuesback to Spain, no matter where you are located, USA, Australia or Brazil. JBC also does not provide replacement units to the distributor. Some distributors will provide a loaner unit out their own pocket, but this is very cost prohibitive to most dealers. Earlier in the year, I bought a JBC CD-BE Soldering Station which died in the 2nd month I had it, and it took over 3 months to get it back. As a result, I ended up buying a PACE ADS200, which works better than the CD-BE, and costs half the price. Tips are also much cheaper than the JBC, like 1/3 the price. Because of their poor customer service and declining quality, I will never buy another JBC product.

author: digsys
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 07, 2018, 11:47:00 pm
content: Quote from: Capa-AlphaJust got mine back today ... same - over 3 months. Even though it only ever had a few hrs use, they sent a brand new latest version???Was the last design / model that unrepairable / unreliable? Well, it's the ONLY minor incident out of 2+ dozen various units over 10+ yrs, so I'll let it pass.IF anything like that happens again, at least I know to prepare for it :-) I have NO issues with the irons.

author: kaevee
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: October 11, 2018, 02:40:36 pm
content: Quote from: digsys on October 07, 2018, 11:47:00 pmIt is good to know it is stray incident. I was worried for a moment considering the shipping, customs and taxes I have paid for this.I am yet to send mine for replacement. I had to ship it to the local support office and yet to find time.