Aixun T3AS vs T3A - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: CDN_Hussar
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 01, 2023, 02:11:36 pm
content: Besides the cheaper looking stand that is offered with the T3AS, what are the main differences between the new T3AS and the T3A?

author: heygeorge
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 03, 2023, 08:09:06 am
content: The main different first is friendly to the budget

author: JHAnd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 17, 2023, 07:32:24 pm
content: No place to put brass cleaner i the T3AS stand.Seems T3AS does not allow for T12 handle only T245 handle.I read somewhere that the T3AS has a ring transformer

author: gabrieLL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 17, 2023, 07:47:53 pm
content: T3AS has SMPS just like the old one. T410 and T420(D) have transformers.https://www.aixuntech.com/product/t3as-allinone-200w-soldering-station-economical-welding-station-with-t245-handle/T3AS All-in-One 200W Soldering Station Economical Welding Station with T245 HandleMarket Price: US$ 102/PC• Applicable to T245 handle, meet requirements for soldering with high power• Compatible with JBC tips, 100% matching with temp rising rate and temp control accuracy• Soldering station and cradle all in one design, save space, easy for operation•200W digital switching power supply,providing efficient power for heating up, rapid heating in 2s• Standby function, save energy and protect tips

author: JHAnd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 18, 2023, 07:02:54 am
content: Quote from: gabrieLL on June 17, 2023, 07:47:53 pmSeems the Aixun site has contradictory information:"200W high powerring transformer, providing efficient power for heating up, rapid heating in 2s"Look here:https://www.aixuntech.com/newsinfo/aixun-new-product-launch-t3as-allinone-200w-soldering-station/Perhaps they changed their mind somwhere in the process of releasing it

author: gabrieLL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 11:45:45 am
content: I am pretty sure that is a typo. Would a 200W toroidal transformer fit into the dimensions of T3A/B ? Dimension145*110*54mm

author: mastershake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 05:36:56 pm
content: i have them both here give me a few days ill open the s model and see whats inside

author: gabrieLL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 19, 2023, 07:32:41 pm
content: Thank you.I can't decide between the T3B vs T3BS. As far as I know the difference is only the handle holder/stand. The T3BS is cheaper due to the stand. There might be a newer PCB revision but other than that I do not expect a toroidal transformer in it.Is the T3B stand worth the extra over the simpler T3BS ?I am curious about the T3BS holder. How they solved the dormancy.(GND through the body or is there a cable ?)

author: mastershake
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 12:46:17 am
content: yes there is a new pcb. the big difference is it has both the t3a and t3b on one board. then they wire or fill it to match. again i have not looked close enough yet to see the exact differences but thats what im told its similar to the new one that some of the t3a are getting when people order those the black pcb version. judging by the weight there is not a toroid in there unless its tiny lol and imo yes the t3b personally (again imo) is a way nicer setup then the s model i personally hate the mounted stand and i really like the default one from the 3a and 3b.

author: JHAnd
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 04:44:04 am
content: Thanks for the info!I imagine it would be possible to take off the T3AS stand somehow if you really wanted and mod it with a cable, but then it would be less hassle to buy the T3A instead

author: gabrieLL
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 20, 2023, 02:02:22 pm
content: Could you make a photo of the T3AS stand ? Is it permanently attached with a glue or screw ? Is the dormancy working without issues ?Is the sponge really enough or do you prefer the brasswool ?

author: CDN_Hussar
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: June 29, 2023, 02:00:34 pm
content: Just got mine yesterday. Note the mounting screws.

author: CDN_Hussar
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 25, 2023, 06:58:54 pm
content: Just noticed the new operation video on YT...

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 15, 2023, 01:22:49 pm
content: Quote from: JHAnd on June 18, 2023, 07:02:54 amWhy do you jump to a conclusion about what ring means in this context. We generally use the terms toroidal transformer and resonant transformer, but we only say ring transformer for one powering a doorbell. So, which poor translation do you think matches this scenario best? I would guess a resonant SMPS.

author: brainrape
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 01, 2024, 11:36:08 am
content: i got the t3as today with the old stand and the standby function is workingyou have to remove the banana plug and attach a cable shoewhen you look at the station from behind the right socket switches the iron to standbyi will test if grounding problem still exists hopefully notcheers

author: ceut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 12, 2025, 07:44:20 pm
content: Quote from: brainrape on October 01, 2024, 11:36:08 amHello,Sorry to dig up this topic, but I can't find any usefull information on the T3ASIt seems that there is only information for the T3A.My question is : have you tested if the tip is grounded properly on this model ?Thank you

author: alex843
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2025, 08:50:31 am
content: Quote from: brainrape on October 01, 2024, 11:36:08 amQuote from: ceut on March 12, 2025, 07:44:20 pmHas anyone compiled a list of Aixun soldering stations that have this tip voltage problem and which do not?It isn't a complete show stopper for me if I can avoid grounding my circuit boards during soldering, but I'm likely to need to remove some surface mount electrolytics in the near future. Many people recommend doing this with two soldering irons, and quite often at least one of them is going to grounded.

author: ceut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: March 31, 2025, 10:20:42 am
content: Quote from: alex843 on March 31, 2025, 08:50:31 amHello,I can give you my 2 opinions for the 2 Sequre iron I have:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/blog/eevblog-1650-sequre-ht-140-smd-desoldering-tweezers-review/msg5729485/#msg5729485To sum up:- the S99 is bad- the HT-140 is really good (except firmware) and I think you should buy one as it seems to be what you are looking forI also have the AiXun T380: it is good but buggy on firmware. I have grounded it with the same method as I have done with the HT-140.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/new-aixun-t380/msg5831683/#msg5831683Here are the 2 things I have found:1) USB-C iron are not grounded by default because of theirs PSU, which often does not have the earth pin on them.=>So we have to check if the tip is grounded with the USB-c shield at the rear of the iron.2) It seems that all "desktop" irons with SMPS are not properly grounded.

author: alex843
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: May 30, 2025, 11:50:04 am
content: Now that I have my T3A(S) I'm able to make some observations:1. The page on AliExpress said T3AS.2. The top of the cardboard box says T3A in large print.3. The bar code sticker on the box says T3AS 220V.4. The underside of the box says T3A Input 110/230VAC5. When I open the box the label on the soldering station itself says T3A. Perhaps there is no real difference between T3A and T3AS except for the stand and the dormancy/standby sense interface.6. The station has two screws on the back for mounting the soldering stand and the right hand screw provides the dormancy/standby sense voltage (see attached photo).Since the price was good, I was able to find a good deal on the T3AS and a good deal on the upgrade stand from another seller. The total cost was slightly less than a T3A, so I ordered both.There is no banana socket on the rear of the station for the upgrade stand/holder standby sense interface, as seen in the photo attached, so if you get the T3A upgrade stand for the T3AS, the standby function will not work without modification as mentioned earlier in this thread.The banana socket in the photo is a grounding connection.Quote from: ceut on March 12, 2025, 07:44:20 pmYou can measure the tip grounding with a multimeter and it shows a low resistance to earth. However, that is not the full answer.I was able to test with the default AiXun tip and a grounded board, soldering on a reasonably large ground plane on a single sided board, and I observed some strange cases of overshoot. This was on a 350 degrees Celsius setting, but at times I saw peaks of 430 C on the display, an 80 C overshoot.This was with firmware 1.36I also did another test, with an oscilloscope connected to the board, and the tip of the iron touching on the same trace as the oscilloscope probe. This part of the circuit board was not connected to any other components, so the tip was effectively floating relative to the ground. I saw voltage spikes of around 1.2V to 1.5V, and a few spikes larger than that.

author: ceut
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 04, 2025, 01:52:20 pm
content: Quote from: alex843 on May 30, 2025, 11:50:04 amSo this seems to be exactly the same problem as T3A.I think the PSU and the way of powering the tip is the same between themTip is not properly grounded with voltage spikes on it, as well as maybe big Amps too, like the T3A(You can check the T3A topic here:https://www.eevblog.com/forum/reviews/aixun-t3a-misbehaving-on-grounded-pcbs/)Thank you for having checked that

author: alex843
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: June 21, 2025, 11:52:39 am
content: Quote from: JHAnd on June 17, 2023, 07:32:24 pmHas someone checked this, and if T12 is not supported, is this blocked in hardware or is it blocked in the T3AS firmware?Genuine Hakko T12 tips are quite a bit cheaper than JBC C245 tips, so T12 support is still useful.Quote from: ceut on June 04, 2025, 01:52:20 pmNo problem. I'm probably going to update in that thread.