Warning to JBC DDE-1C Soldering Station Owners Check Your Firmware! Teardown Vid - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2023, 05:53:23 pm
content: Anyone with a JBC DDE-1C Make Sure Your Firmware IS Up To Date. Make Sure You Can Update it.If your unit will not update and is stuck on Version 8886448 your unit may be affected.JBC refused to provide how many units had substituted micro controllers with stripped down firmware and disabled features.Since JBC would not own up to the issue publicly I made a video detailing the issue.

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2023, 09:24:14 pm
content: Interesting. So TDLR something like:- JBC used lower flash size micros on certain DDE units- These units are missing features: date/time, custom name, custom profiles, etc.So they are saying there is no solution or no further updates for that unit? I just skimmed the vid.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2023, 09:50:04 pm
content: thm_w,JBC's Only solution is replacement.Most of them should be under warranty so if you have one check it now!I am still prob going to drop a fair chunk of greenbacks and finish off the Hakko to JBC transition.I really wish I has the time to tear them down and compare them and get the numbers of the chips I may have to make the time!

author: thm_w
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 12, 2023, 11:12:58 pm
content: SDG has a teardown here of DDE-2C, where he found it was a dsPIC33FJ256 (256kB flash):May or may not be the same. If it is, 64 and 128kB versions are also available.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 13, 2023, 01:18:13 am
content: thm_w, the update is about 5Mb so there has to be flash some place else prob up on the display unit.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2023, 07:47:54 am
content: I did a Live Teardown of the JBC DDE-1C Soldering Station Showing JBC Quality Including Solder SplatterAt about 1:51 in to it.Full Live Teardown.

author: wraper
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: October 15, 2023, 08:43:58 am
content: Quote from: KG7AMV on October 12, 2023, 09:50:04 pmThey can change the board with MCU. Not necessary to replace the whole station. It's more about logistics and speed of the process.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 15, 2023, 09:39:19 am
content: Major Bodge!SGG Screen Shot Surface Mount CapFrom My Teardown Bodged in Electrolytic Caps. Screams Superior Quality. NIPPON Japan is OK but the CHANG China?

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 19, 2023, 04:32:43 pm
content: Yea, all the logic for this is in the front end of the unit. SDG did not tear down the front display of his unit.Teardown ImageDowngraded MCU MK20DN512VMD10 Common BGA144 PackageUnit that actually support the DDE-1C Firmware Has a MK26FN2M0CAC18 a Very Tiny 5.6mm X 5.5mm Exposed Wafer BGA “WLCSP169” Package.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: October 29, 2023, 03:08:35 am
content: I have Ordered the Rest of the System Directly From JBC Tools USA Office, Being assured it would ship Thursday/Friday it is Saturday the 28th have not received tracking info so who know's. I hope it arrives soon.

author: McCarthy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 21, 2023, 04:22:37 am
content: Quote from: KG7AMV on October 29, 2023, 03:08:35 amAny updated on this? I was about to order a DDE-1C with a bunch of accessories but stumbled over your videos and posts.Going to send UBC USA an email and ask if they have fixed this or if they still ship old / refurbished units.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 25, 2023, 09:58:39 pm
content: McCarthy,It goes deeper then this. The replacement had display issues looks like a bunch of them do and they are aware of it.I have a blog going on it.https://www.stevenrhine.com/?p=131943

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2023, 09:12:30 pm
content: Here is a quick update,I was delivered 2 Replacement DDE units from the local sales rep personally and the displays were consistent.The Bad JBC must have changed hardware or something and the desoldering tools would not come out of sleep / hibernate unless the soldering tool was picked up on both units.JBC's customer service is really poor don't even think of trying to call them in Spain for assistance. JBC will say contact JBC USA and JBC USA will send you to a rep the rep will take the info and send it to Spain for a reply when they feel like it and the US rep's customer service communication skills are horrible.It took about 2 weeks to get someone in tech support via relay thru the sales rep and they sent a custom firmware up date a few days later it seems to have to resolve the issue.Current Firmware DDE-1C is8886867The Firmware they sent me is8886875I only updated one unit and I can reproduce the issue on the second unit and make a video. (Already made one but forgot to plug in microphone oops and interrupted the video during the firmware update) I may just make it public.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 27, 2023, 05:09:56 am
content: Video of Issue and the Firmware Update.Not sure what they changed. Would be Nice to know. Scared to open them and see if any bodges or solder splatter.

author: GnomeZA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 29, 2023, 11:57:40 am
content: What really adds insult to injury when I looked at this is that when you look at the quality of the Aixun T420D.I think it is really, really sad when a company making a low cost clone of your product is outdoing you in the quality department.JBC is selling these for 4 times the price and this kind of bodge is what you get vs the Aixun (specifically the T420D) which has no bodge on it at all.Ouch JBC customers.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 09, 2024, 07:57:40 am
content: So far so good.. i will try and live stream the update on the second unit when I get a chance.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 11, 2024, 02:23:53 am
content: Here is another with a DDE that will not take a firmware update, prob has a downgraded MCU unit.Here is a JBC DMU 4 Tool Unit with Sleep Hibernate and Other QC Issues.

author: Horst Zimmermann
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 09:44:29 am
content: Quote from: KG7AMV on February 11, 2024, 02:23:53 amThat is my unit, thanks @KG7AMV for posting it hereI contacted JBC in Spain, no answer yet.........I keep you updated on the case

author: GnomeZA
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 16, 2024, 04:18:35 pm
content: Marco Reps also had a tear down of the JBC desoldering pump. Lovely Chang capacitors

author: Icchan
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 24, 2024, 10:56:09 am
content: This whole thing is a disgrace, You pay THOUSANDS for a piece of kit, few dollar micro-controller/-processor is NOT the piece you skimp on and there's no excuse REMOVING features that are purely based on code.If they can't get what was there originally, find replacement that's BETTER what was in it and keep churning out units.Everyone's suffering for the lack of chips and all the other components (remember when RESISTORS were just GONE from the world?), you shoot your own leg if you pull something like this towards your customers.This is purely an exec decision, some suit somewhere going "we need to move units, disregard everything else!" and thus the workers do what was ordered and they can keep their jobs...So I wouldn't blame this issue on anyone else than JBC's CEO's and other shiny shoes... and they knew what they were asking and I'm sure peopel under them told them that "no, you shouldn't"... because people down always know better.

author: Horst Zimmermann
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 24, 2024, 11:15:14 am
content: Yep really sad, you pay full price and get downgraded stuff......Really bad is that they don´t even care about.In my example i wrote an email and told them about my problem i even put a link to a video that shows exactly what is happening.Two days later i got an email, i should try another USB-Stick and should unzip the firmware file... (no shit, this is not my first JBC station that i have upgraded)I made a new video where i showed the whole update attempt and sent them a new email with the link, since a week now no response anymoreI will wait another week for an answer, if not i will make sure this is going to be an consumer protection case...

author: SteveyG
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: February 25, 2024, 12:43:59 am
content: 8886875 works fine on my system which has the originally specified parts, so it does seem like an incompatibility

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2024, 08:04:15 am
content: Icchan,Yea, its a shame and then the replacement units had incompatible hardware on the sleep/hibernate on the desolder tools also requiring a firmware update to make it operational.I have been contacted by dozens of people most had their units a year or so and were unaware. They dont want to complain and burn the bridge with JBC. I think JBC will not own up and make a public notice of how many and serial number range were affected and let the clock tick till warranties expire. I recommend that everyone that is affected by this or other file a Hojas de Reclamaciones with the Spanish government. It's a bit complicated to do, but I do plan on writing a tutorial on how to do it. If you are in the USA make a complaint to your state attorney general.If anyone in the USA has this same/similar issue and/or their warranty is expired and can show proof of denial from JBC of warranty fix or replacement drop me a line with your info. I will forward it to a person with esq. after his name who is ready to jump all over this sooner than later on a contingency basis. He can already prove that they knowingly defrauded customers, that they have been made aware and have not made a recall or service notice they have 6 months to provide some sort of voluntary corrective action, but also needs a few warranty denials to make it a slam dunk.I was able to contact Josep Huguet Guasch Deputy CEO at JBC Soldering Tools On, Linked-Inhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/josephuguethe responded and was made aware of the issue but was no help!In JBC Rudeness he never made a second reply or follow up.I did BCC him all Messages photos videos etc.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 26, 2024, 09:35:53 am
content: Quote from: GnomeZA on February 16, 2024, 04:18:35 pmI will have to open mine and take a look..Also look at the 4 tool unit looks like a bodged and hot snoted CHANG cap in the main unit also. At the price point of this equipment one would expect name brand high end caps Nichicon, Rubycon, Panasonic, Etc.

author: Horst Zimmermann
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: February 26, 2024, 10:06:11 am
content: I don´t know what happened but today i was able to update the Firmware of my JBC DDE-2C from version 8886566 to 8886875 which is the latest firmware on the JBC serverwhat i did:i downloaded a fresh copy of the firmware from JBC, unzipped it on the USB stick that i have been using before (so no new USB Stick i already tried 9 different sticks) and plugged it in to my station.The station then showedReading pendrive. Wait..then i got a phone call and was about 10-15 minutes away, when i came back i started the firmware upgrade and this time it worked.I really don´t know why it worked this time, the only two things i can imagine is either the station need more time to read the USB stick or they maybe changed the firmware on the serverEDIT:I checked the Firmware file and it is the same i downloaded 2 weeks ago, so no change from JBCI checked the menu of my station, no downgraded functionality all features are thereI feel so dumb right now

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: February 29, 2024, 02:33:41 am
content: That is fantastic, Wonder what changed?

author: McCarthy
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: March 10, 2024, 06:05:05 am
content: I called JBC USA about 2 months ago and told the guy that I'm about to buy a DDE kit worth 2.5k but don't want to run into ANY issues. He immediately knew about the YT video and case. He told me that that current versions don't have issues, so I bought mine through Tequipment.Been using it for 2 month with no issues. Best station / system yet, coming from Weller (and I tried the newest smart station too).Didn't upgrade or look into it, since I just need this thing to work for GPU repairs.

author: KG7AMV
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: March 18, 2024, 11:08:17 am
content: Quote from: McCarthy on March 10, 2024, 06:05:05 amBe sure to run it thru every feature and make sure.

author: Horst Zimmermann
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: May 08, 2024, 07:44:54 am
content: did buy another DDE-2C in the kit with the desoldering tooli did upgrade my old and the new one to firmware 886887 without any problemsyou can clearly see the difference of the screens, the top one is from july 2021 and the bottom from may 2024the top one (old) looks more washed out and the bottom (new) looks more crisp