Communication of JBC soldering stations with fume extractor - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 10, 2024, 07:16:52 am
content: Hello everyoneIs there a source of information about the communication protocol between JBC soldering stations and their fume extractor units?I have read that usually in dedicated soldering station sockets, the source of the signal to the extractor unit are potential-free contacts. However, on the FAE/AUX output of my JBC station (6-pin RJ12 connector) I have recorded such a data frame (attached screenshot), which is generated periodically.Since the soldering station does not communicate with the fume extractor unit using a simple potential-free contact, I am looking for information with the specification of pinout of this connector and protocol. Thanks in advance for your help.

author: schirmi
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: November 29, 2024, 11:53:50 pm
content: HiI would also be interested in this information.I opened my jbc CD-Station today and found out, that inside is an analog devices adm3251e RS232-isolator.The pinout is the same as for their RJ12 robot communication port:Pin 1 and 6 are NC, 2 and 5 are GND, Pin 3 is Tx and 4 is RxThe communciation is RS232 with 8 data bits, 1 stop bit, odd parity, LSB first and it seems to be 250K baud.The soldering station only sends a periodic signal at 20ms intervals and it is always the same, removing the tool from the stand does not change it.The message seems to be:HEX: 0x10, 0x02, 0x10, 0x10, 0x11, 0xFD, 0x00, 0x01, 0x11, 0xED, 0x10, 0x03ASCII: DLE, STX, DLE, DLE, DC1, ý, NUL, SOH, DC1, í, DLE, ETXThe STX and ETX are similar to their robot communication stuff, not sure what the rest is.So we would need someone who has access to a jbc fume extractor and a CD soldering station and sniff the communication between the two.As the fume extractor most likely needs to send a message to receive the tool status.

author: IceCube
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: July 22, 2025, 05:03:53 pm
content: Hey,I found out, that the Connection Parameters 250000baud 8N1 parity is Even.The DDE from JBC send this:           and the JTSE sends:           .I think the Adress of the devices ist CAN for the DDE and DC2 for JTSE.For more results we Need a guy with the Station and a FAE.

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 03, 2025, 12:46:08 pm
content: I found a JBC document describing the "Communication Protocol for Automated Processes":https://www.jbctools.com/pdf/communication-protocol-stations-0024318_ID-193610_EN.pdfMy station (CD-2BQF) isn't explicitly listed as compatible with the described protocol. However, it does have an FAE (RJ12) connector, which gives us hope ;-)It appears that the default protocol parameters are 19200 bps, 8-bit, no parity, 1 stop bit (19200-8N1).

author: IceCube
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: August 07, 2025, 06:51:04 am
content: hey,I found on Github this Repo:https://github.com/Springuin/jbc-fume-extraction-arduinoI testet with my DDE and JTSE, thats work not for me.When you have the CD-2BQF Station, Arduino Uno and the USB Host Shield 2.0 you can test it.I dont no JBC switched the Communication Parameters on the newer Stations?Best regardsTim

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2025, 06:32:14 pm
content: For some reason, I can't establish a proper connection with the soldering station.I can confirm that the station's default communication speed is 250k baud, 8N1 parity even. The oscilloscope shows the same as the attached screenshots.However, I'm getting errors when communicating with the computer. The controller on the motherboard doesn't allow for defining custom bitrates, so I have to use an external interface:https://www.waveshare.com/wiki/Multibus_ConverterExample frames received from the station look like this:Code:17:37:35.927  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL><SOH><DC1>í<DLE>??<ETX>17:37:36.028  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.129  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.230  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.331  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL><SOH><DC1>í<DLE>??<ETX>17:37:36.432  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL><SOH><DC1>í<DLE>??<ETX>17:37:36.532  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.633  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.734  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL><SOH><DC1>í<DLE>??<ETX>17:37:36.835  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL><SOH><DC1>í??<DLE><ETX>17:37:36.936  - <DLE><STX><DLE><DLE><DC1>ý<NUL>??<SOH><DC1>í?<DLE><ETX>Either these errors are preventing communication, or I'm incorrectly creating the query frames. The thing is, I'm unsure about a few things:1. How are communicating devices assigned numbers (1..4) and addresses (00..99).2. Should a query frame (e.g., for the RTTx tip temperature) contain five characters (bytes) of data? The documentation states that the Data field is "0 ó 5 bytes" (in the Data Link Layer chapter - page 4).https://www.jbctools.com/pdf/robot_communication_protocol.pdf

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2025, 08:14:18 pm
content: first of all you should check your firmware version - I played with that on DDE and they needed some min versionthen it was just to connect RJ12 cable and select in station settings the FAE afterI remember there was some glitch back then that if one had a pedal connected to fume extractor it was not activating when one took the iron from standsadly I never got their fume extractor for myselfdid you purchased that in Poland (and from whom) or elsewhere?

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2025, 03:17:31 pm
content: I think the DDE model is more advanced than my CD-2BQ unit, which doesn't have an option for configuring the FAE output in the menu.I bought my soldering station from the official JBC distributor.As Schirmi mentioned, it would be best if someone who owns an FAE extractor could help us by reporting recorded communication between these devices.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 01:24:29 am
content: Quote from: gleitmo on August 24, 2025, 03:17:31 pmcould you please PM the photo of rear of your station including model and s/n and firmware version you have? I will try to ask my conctactsI remember that there was some adapter from USB A to rj12 and then one needed USB A to B ordinary printer cable for most of older stations without RJ12 connector on board but they need station details to identifyit worked on my almost 10 years old station during representative presentation years ago so there is a chance it may work on one you have

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 25, 2025, 02:49:37 pm
content: I own JBC CD-2BQF with latest version of firmware 8886948 (I've checked it recently).My unit looks exactly like this one:https://sklep.renex.pl/img/12439133/cyfrowa-stacja-lutownicza-do-ogolnych-zastosowan.jpgApart of communication errors (that might be caused by RS232/USB converter that I use) more significant issue is, that my unit sends frame that differs from standard described in JBC's Robot Communication Protocol - Programmer's Guide. I suspect that this might be the reason that unit doesn't respond to frames that I send from PC.

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 02:11:07 am
content: OK so your CD station is muuuch never than mineI do not think that CD stations are able to receive any robot style commands but I will ask - min level was DDE.I think that Fume extractor just reacts upon signals from station when tool is taken from stand or starts heating up

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 02:13:53 am
content: anyway I think there is an easier workaround for those whom want to just start the fume extractor on older stations - tap to "Iron in holder" posistion detect and connect it into Fume extractor pedal connector...

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 02:18:55 pm
content: Yes, I'm aware that earlier models of JBC solder stations (especially basic ones) had a kind of relay output which state depends on handle is on the stand or in use. So I was surprised, that the one that I bought has more "sophisticated" socket. At first I hoped that a pair of pins in this socket still has the same functionality. Howerver I have no reasons to believe that it is the case (I haven't notice similar behaviour).There is the socket called FAE. Firstly it continously transmit dataframe that was talked about in previous messages - this allow me to believe that socket is active. Secondly its descriptrion is FAE - and this makes me almost sure that it can be used to control fume extractor. As an amateur I even don't think about all fancy functions that JBC extractors may have. I would like to find just one message that coresponds to present handle state.And I know that there would be much easer to lead additonal pair of wires out of the housing, but that wouldn't be a very elegant solution. This is the reason why I (and hoping that not just me) count on someone like you, who would will to help in this project

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 26, 2025, 10:04:49 pm
content: as far as I know CD can only send out some signals but not receive them - still I had no luck to reach the person I wanted about this matter todayI dunno about new extractor functions (what could they be? variable pump speed? perhaps DDE could message you to replace the filter heh) but old ones were pretty straightforward - you took iron from stand and they started a vacuum pump.you put iron to rest and they stopped. After time they added a pedal so you could only start the FAE when you want it to run.I think only return info that maybe possible is from FAE to DDE that it will start the pump + iron heating after acting the pedal connected to FAE but I never tested that combination.Usually robot was meant for DDE and DME to to automate soldering etc in industrial workspaces.I will ask if they have some old demo unit to borrow for a few days but uncertain (myself I would rather get a heavy duty station than fae rn)

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 28, 2025, 02:22:42 pm
content: so I was informed that CD stations generally were not meant to receive control signals via "robot" in case you would like to tap into this.rn I will not be able to get some demo FAE to tamper with and my private station is USB only not more modern like you have and I am not certain if after adaper comms are defined exactly same way but there is a way you can try something:CD stations generally all are made to be controlled via USB:https://www.jbctools.com/qst-software.htmlfirst install the QST software packagethen demo packagein that app there are commands ready for CD and FAE and I think also for more modern stationsmain idea behind this is that for older CD stations there was USB B to A cable then USB A to RJ12 adapter and signal after that was sent via RJ12 to fume extractor so you could sniff that more easy perhaps and also have a way for more possibilities.

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 01, 2025, 03:06:18 pm
content: Thanks for the info. I thought the USB port was only for software updates. I'll check out the option you mentioned soon.

author: IceCube
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: September 10, 2025, 02:17:56 pm
content: Hey,I’ve been working with ChatGPT on building a protocol converter that supports both Protocol 1 and Protocol 2. Could you test if it works with your JBC station using Protocol 1? I’ve tested it myself with my DDE JTSE, and it works there.On pin D7 of the Arduino MEGA with a USB Host Shield or MEGA ADK, a relay switches when the soldering iron is lifted from the stand.Here’s the link:https://github.com/IceCube20/JBC-Link-Arduino-ADKI’d really appreciate your feedback on whether everything works.Cheers,IceCube20

author: kmoonwalker
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 10, 2025, 04:21:20 pm
content: I got back info that FAE communication protocol is not the same as robot and they are not willing to disclose its details...

author: gleitmo
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: September 22, 2025, 05:11:04 pm
content: Hello to everyone on this thread after a quite long break.Kmoonwalker is partially right. The FAE fume extractor manual states that premium soldering stations can be connected using a cable with RJ12 connectors (labeled FAE/ROBOT). Compact stations can be connected using a USB cable, as showed in the manual. The relevant excerpts from the FAE extractor manual are attached to this post.However, the reality is a bit more complex. The pinout of the CD AUX connector is as follows:1 - VCC (usb)2 - GND3 - TX4 - RX5 - D- (usb)6 - D+ (usb)This means that compact CD stations can also be connected via the RS232 interface, using the RX, TX, and GND signals. I haven't tested the USB interface signals (perhaps someone else will), but it seems like this configuration should work as well. I connected the station via the WAVESHARE interface, which I mentioned earlier in this thread (the RS232 on my PC's motherboard doesn't support non-standard bitrates or bitrates higher than 115200 kbps).At software layer, I handled the communication using a program called Docklight:https://docklight.de/It's a slightly more advanced terminal ;-)Docklight allows you to define data frames (in ASCII, HEX, DEC, and BIN formats), which can be sent in either "single" or "cycle" mode with a specified interval. It's also possible to define a data sequence that, when received, triggers the sending of one of the frames.I connected my CD soldering station to the computer running this program. During my tests, communication was organized so that Docklight only responded to messages sent by the CD station. Attached is a screenshot of the program window, recording the communication at the moment I connected the station and the single act of lifting and lowering the soldering iron. I believe that in this case the HEX format is unambiguous and therefore the most appropriate.I hope this information will be helpful to anyone interested.

author: IceCube
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 11, 2025, 11:22:57 pm
content: 🧠 Reverse Engineering JBC FAE – It’s finally done!Hey folks,after countless hours with the scope and logic analyzer I finallycracked the JBC FAE protocol!🎉I’ve written a firmware forESP32andArduino Mega, which fully emulates aJBC FAE Base Unit— including all handshake levels (NAK/SYN/ACK/SOH) and theP02 frame layerwith DLE byte-stuffing and XOR-BCC checksum (seed 0x01).You can now connectup to two JBC soldering stationsvia theirRJ12 FAE portsand control afume extractor / relay outputdirectly.Each bus uses its ownMAX3232 single-channel RS-232 converter, and everything runs fully standalone on an ESP32 — no USB host shield required.👉Project on GitHub:https://github.com/IceCube20/JBC-FAE-Emulator/tree/main🔧 FeaturesDual independent JBC buses (BUS0 & BUS1)Full Base-Link + P02 implementationAuto-adoption of address from handshakeRelay control with after-run timer & continuous suctionPersistent config (EEPROM / NVS)RGB status LED (SK6812)Command-line interface over USB (115200 8N1)Works with DDE, JTSE, and other modern JBC stations⚙️ HardwareESP32 NodeMCU @ 3.3VTwo single-channel MAX3232 boards1× relay module (JQC-3FF-S-Z)4× SK6812 GRBW LED or stripRJ12 ↔ DB9 adapter cables (JBC pinout: 1 NC, 2 GND, 3 RX, 4 TX, 5 GND, 6 NC)💻 CLI ExampleCode:bus0 DeviceID len=30 ascii="84495820251011193809F283" | addr=0x12bus1 DeviceID len=30 ascii="84495820251011194011F283" | addr=0x18 type 'help' for commands buses=2 | tstop(w/s)=10/0 | selectflow=100 | suctionlevel=3 | filter(life/sat)=0/0 | stat_error=0 (0x0) 02:F2:EMU_01:8886612:0051112 | by IceCube20 | build Oct 11 2025 19:27:59Commands:help? (show DEVID/Addr and other Data)show cfgshow busesset buses <1|2>save / loaderase  – clear NVS/EEPROM and reload defaults (use 'save' to persist)set tstop_work <sec> afterrun Relay in seconds. After applying the time, save to EEPROM with <save>. With the DDE you can configure it directly in the station.set tstop_stand <sec>set suctionlevel <0..3>set selectflow <0..1000>set stand_intakes <0|1>set filter_life <u16>set filter_sat <u16>STOPx/WARNx, +STOPx, -STOPx, NOERR, ?ERR📸 What it doesIt sits between one or two JBC stations and mimics the official FAE base,so the station believes a real JBC Fume Extractor is connected.When the station sendsIntakeActivationorTimeToStop,the ESP32 toggles the relay accordingly — even managing after-run delay,dual-bus arbitration, and persistent config between restarts.🚀 SummaryNow you can control a fume extractor directly from your soldering stations —no USB host shield, no JBC base required, just an ESP32 and a few MAX3232 boards.Cheers,IceCube