TS-100 Soldering Iron Review

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TS-100 Soldering Iron Review

The TS-100 is one of the most favourite soldering irons out there for hobbyists.  It’s small, portable, lightweight and heats up quickly.  There is a massive following and it even has custom firmware you can add to it.  Including Tetris. Yes, Tetris. Cool huh?

What can I say that hasn’t been said before?  Well, not much.  But I can give you my take on this amazing little thing I now have become attached to when doing my own soldering projects and DIY kits.

So in this review, I’ll be telling you

  • How to Install Custom Firmware To The TS-100
  • Custom Logo
  • How To Get Tetris

 

5-month Experience

TS-100

I have used this little soldering icon for some time now and I still love it and use it way more than any other soldering iron I own.   It’s soldered and desoldered everything without an issue.
I use mine at around 16v or a bit higher at 300C.  I can run it at 24v but I normally don’t and really don’t need to.  It sustains the heat at 300C easily around 16v DC.

My only real complaint is on the PSU, the cord is a bit stiff.  I am still looking around for a better barrel jack cord.    When I find one, I’ll update this post.  But yeah, this thing is solid and worth the money.

 

Get Firmware & Logo Editor

TS-100

This custom firmware can give you a few more options than the original firmware cannot. Like changing 400C to 450C and a few extras and tweaks.

 

Get Firmware & Logo Editor

  1. Go Here: https://github.com/Ralim/ts100/
  2. Find the latest firmware. “In your own language download the correct .hex.  Since I’m going English, “Download the .hex version. English is (TS100_EN.hex)
    https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS/releases
  3. Go to v2.02 and download: TS100.Logo.Editor.exe
    https://github.com/Ralim/ts100/releases/download/v2.02/TS100.Logo.Editor.exe

Add Firmware to TS-100

  1. Press and hold the A button while plugging in the USB cable to the PC.
  2. Drag the .hex file onto the USB drive.
    – The unit will disconnect and reconnect.
    – The filename will have changed to end in “.RDY” or “.ERR” or “.NOT”.
    – If it ends with “.RDY”, you’re done! Otherwise, something went wrong.
    – Disconnect the USB and power up the iron. You’re good to go.

TS-100

 

How to inject the logo onto the TS-100

TS-100

  1. Create a .png or .BMP as W96px x L16px (96x16px)
    Remember the image needs to be White or Black only.
  2. Open TS100.Logo.Editor.exe
  3. Load your new logo.
  4. Save DFU File (.hex) Make sure to name it Logo. (Logo.hex) (close application)
  5. Plug TS-100 into your PC. Copy the Logo “.hex” file to the TS100 DFU folder.
  6. Disconnect the TS100 Soldering Iron.

My Custom Logo

TS-100

  • Download The Zip TS-100-DB-Logo
    Zip Contains DB Logo Photoshop.psd / DB Logo Snagit.snag / DB Logo.png / logo.hex

Add Logo to TS-100

  1. Press and hold the A button while plugging in the USB cable to the PC.
  2. Drag the Logo “.hex” file onto the USB drive.
    – The unit will disconnect and reconnect.
    – The filename will have changed to end in “.RDY” or “.ERR” or “.NOT”.
    – If it ends with “.RDY”, you’re done! Otherwise, something went wrong.
    – Disconnect the USB and power up the iron. You’re good to go.

TS-100

 

Other Downloads

 

TS-100 Play TETRIS

  1. Get the .hex file here: https://github.com/joric/ts100tris/releases
  2. Press and hold the A button while plugging in the USB cable to the PC.
  3. Drag the .hex file onto the USB drive.
    – The unit will disconnect and reconnect.
    – The filename will have changed to end in .RDY or .ERR or .NOT
    – If it ends with .RDY you’re done! Otherwise, something went wrong
    – Disconnect the USB and power up the iron. You’re good to go.

 

Power Supply

The TS-100 can be used on all types of Power supplies including LiPo batteries.  Since I will be using my TS-100 at my desk 99% of the time, I decided to go with a Power Supply from Banggood.

I bought the JDT-001 9-24V 3A Barral Jack Power Supply.  Works extremely well with the TS-100 Soldering Iron.

TS-100

TS-100

My only complaint with this Power Supply is the cord.  It’s a bit stiff.  However, you can cut it off and find another that is more moveable.  Or build a female-to-male adapter and not cut the cord and just extend it with a new one attached to it.  Either way, after using the Power Supply I had 0 issues with it, besides the cord.

You can get it here:

Posted in Product Review.

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