I recently got a TS80 soldering iron as a nice-to-have to complement my full rework station because for some jobs using a pen type soldering iron is just going to be more convenient than dragging out and firing up my full soldering station.

The problem I have is that when plugged into the supplied Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 power adapter with the supplied USB-C cable, it shows a "Low Voltage" status on the screen and a voltage of just over 5V when it should be getting supplied with 9V which is the Quick Charge 3.0 specification (see images below). As a result of this it doesn't heat up.

   

Another issue I have is that if I plug it into a USB port on my Windows 10 computer, the device isn't recognised and it throws a "Device Descriptor Request Failed" error. I've tried plugging it into a Windows 10 laptop as well and exactly the same error occurs so that suggest the problem isn't with the computers. I've run through various Windows troubleshooting procedures to try and fix the issue but to no avail.







Does anyone else have a TS80 and are you experiencing any of these same issues with it or is it behaving perfectly fine?

Unfortunately I don't currently have any spare Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 adapters or any spare USB-C cables to try it with.

The following article covers a similar issue but there is no real resolution and I can't do a firmware update because the TS80 isn't recognised by my computer.

http://minidso.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=3269

When you plug into computer, are you holding the button closest to the tip?

Here is link to custom firmware from Ralim, maybe it will resolve INOV communications problem with your QC charger.

https://github.com/Ralim/ts100/wiki/TS-80

I don't have a TS80. So I can't test for you.

Edit :

Ralim firmware will allow powering of 5V without low voltage warning.

Thanks for your suggestions.

Yes, I've tried connecting it to computers in both normal and DFU mode, but no joy either way.

A firmware upgrade is the first thing I would try...if only I was able to successfully connect it to a computer to do that.

I guess I should have just got a proven TS100 instead.

I'm still living in the dark ages with all my other USB devices having type A, B, micro or mini USB connectors on them so I don't have any spare USB C cables kicking around. I think I will beg, borrow, or buy another USB C cable today and give that a try before I think about contacting the seller to get a replacement or refund.

OK, after all this it has turned out to be a dodgy / cheaply made USB-C cable that got supplied with the iron.

I've just been out and got another (decent quality branded) USB-C cable and I'm now getting just over 9V at the soldering iron from the power adapter. It is now also successfully recognised as a USB device on my computer and I can access the file storage areas in either normal or DFU mode.

For now I've upgraded it from the supplied v1.06 firmware to the newest stock v1.07 firmware. I may dabble with the Ralim firmware once I know everything is working 100% on the stock firmware.

At least that was an easy "fix" and I won't have to go through the hassle of getting a replacement/refund from the supplier, so happy days 

Working TS80 at 9.18V...

   

Successful USB connection to computer in "Normal" mode...



Successful USB connection to computer in DFU mode...

Haha, you got bite by the "I swear my USB cable is good" noob mistake. Good you got it working. It was really sounding like you have DOA on your hand.

hi I’ve got the same files as you the trash files when I drop the custom firmware in I’m getting an error where do you drop the firmware in any of files or on it’s own in the top section or the bottom if that makes sense I hope you can help me

(17-Oct-2019, 08:15 PM)Ironman Wrote: hi I’ve got the same files as you the trash files when I drop the custom firmware in I’m getting an error where do you drop the firmware in any of files or on it’s own in the top section or the bottom if that makes sense I hope you can help me

Can you post picture of the error?

(17-Oct-2019, 08:15 PM)Ironman Wrote: hi I’ve got the same files as you the trash files when I drop the custom firmware in I’m getting an error where do you drop the firmware in any of files or on it’s own in the top section or the bottom if that makes sense I hope you can help me

To update the firmware, perform the following steps:-

1. Go HERE and download the ZIP file containing the latest official firmware ZIP. The latest version as of today is still currently v1.0.7.
   
   
2. While holding down "Button A" (see diagram above), connect the TS80 to your PC with a USB Type-C cable. The TS80 will then enter DFU mode and the text "DFU3.45" will appear on the screen.
   
   
3. A USB drive will now be available in Windows Explorer called "C0D19C16".
   
   
4. Extract the HEX file (TS80.V1.07.hex) from the firmware ZIP file and copy it to the ROOT folder of the C0D19C16 USB drive.
   
   
5. The TS80 will automatically detect the HEX file and install it. Do not disconnect the soldering iron from the USB connection to the PC until the HEX file has changed it's name to an RDY file (TS80.V1.07.rdy). Once this has been done the new firmware has been applied and the RDY file can be deleted.
   
   
6. Disconnect the USB lead from the PC and plug it into a Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 power adapter. Observe the screen of the TS80 during power on and you should see the new firmware version ("VER:1.07") briefly appear which confirms that the formware has been updated.