JV100 soldering iron - the forbidden user guide

This is a common cheap digital soldering iron that can be powered by higher power USB power supplies, or a standard jack-style power supply at up to 24V. It uses common T12 bits.

There's no real manual for these irons, and the software may vary between units. But here's an attempt at a usage guide based on experimentation with this unit.

The temperature can be adjusted up and down by the two outer buttons, and the middle button selects the following menu:-

ATC = The calibration offset for whatever bit you have in. To set this between the range of plus or minus 40 degrees celsius, you'll need a soldering iron tip temperature tester. If you don't have one, just set the temperature by how soldering feels.

HSL = Display intensity 2-128. I suggest a mid setting as it will result in a longer display life.

DMH = Standby and sleep times. You can set this mode on or off. When on, two times can be set in seconds. When the touch sensor is not active both these timers start running. The first one sets the standby time when the tip steps down to a lower temperature. The second sets the time when the iron goes into a sleep mode.

When DMH is on, activating the touch sensor wakes the iron and resets the timers. When in standby mode the standby temperature can be adjusted by the two outer buttons.

OUT = Maximum power setting? It can be set between 50 to 100.

LAG = Language setting between English and Chinese.

If the iron is in Chinese, press the middle button and click the right button four times to get to the language mode. Press the middle button, then the right button and then the middle button again.

IMA= Display flip for left handed users.

THB = Touch sensor sensitivity from 100 to 800, where 800 is the least sensitive. The ideal setting would be where it reliably detects you touching it, but doesn't false trigger.
Touch sensing is only active if DMH is set to on.

RST = Reset to default settings INCLUDING CHINESE LANGUAGE!

RTN = return from menu. But it already returns itself anyway - if anything a bit too fast!

The reset option restores the following values.
ATC=0
HSL=120
DMH=OFF (touch mode deactivated)
OUT=100
LAG= Chinese
IMA= Right handed
THB=280

The soldering iron can be powered by QC style USB power supplies with negotiable voltage, or a standard power supply rated up to 24V at 3A or more. The barrel connector is 5.5mm by 2.1mm.

Do not use cheap import power supplies, as they often have fake ratings and very poor electrical separation. I bought a power supply from CPC in the UK. In the USA you could get one from Digikey or Mouser.

Unfortunately these irons all seem to share a rogue current leakage issue when plugged into ungrounded power supplies. This is an inherent issue with the capacitive coupling between primary and secondary transformer windings, and also the class Y1 filter capacitor.
If the rogue leakage on the tip is likely to pose a risk to sensitive semiconductor components then it's viable to connect the power supply negative output to mains ground/earth.

I bought this soldering iron from AliExpress (not a sponsor).
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/100500...
Shop around - it should cost about $15 with a choice of soldering bit.
My big fat C4 bit was from this listing:-
https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/100500...
The T12 bits cost around $3 each. I prefer the BC/C chisel type in 2, 3 & 4mm.
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