I found evidence online that the "directionality" of USB-C cables behaviour is intended with USB tester. What I found is this: "It's due to one CC line changing roles to VCONN. If you 'flip' it in the middle with the tester, PD negotiation won't work. The device end shouldn't matter, assuming the devices implement USB-C properly." I think it makes sense, the USB-C pinout is not identical on each side, but it's designed to be plugged both ways. The protocol configures the lines according to HOW the cable is plugged. If you swap the cable AFTER the USB tester, well the cable stops working. Very interesting! I'm also reading that cables have an "e-marker" in them to tell the power supply/computer how much power they're able to sustain so the wrong cable - or worst, a passive one - will affect the max power. A passive cable in particular is limited to 3A (63W at 21V). What COULD be happen is that a cable rated - say - 100W is used between the PSU and the USB tester and a cable rated 60W is used between the tester and the device. The power supply would output 100W and the 60W cable might get damaged. I didn't smoke those cables in my tests but I should have probably be more careful. The tester has a function to "read" the e-marker and display the maximum power they're rated for. When NOT using a USB-tester, the system should be bullet-proof as it will self-limit itself based on the e-marker. Super-interesting!

Thanks for re-uploading this. As you explained the first go-round, folks can make mistakes - it's permitted. What's important is what you do when you find a mistake. Well done!

Interesting comparison! Perfect timing for me because I am looking to replace my setup!

Thank You very much for Your interesting review

In my mind, anything that doesn't support the JBC tips is a no-go. The original JBC tips are not **that** expensive all things considered and they last a really long time. I'd be happy to learn about something better but so far I haven't found it. Also for power supplies, a lot of them support a peak power that is higher than the rating for continuous loads. Great video, thanks!

These videos are fantastic! I chose my current hakko knockoff purely based on the "creepage" and "clearance" of the pictures of the power supply. (With a big thanks to Big Clive's channel for tearing down cheap DC supplies.)

I was just watching the original upload. This should be interesting youre excellent at testing irons.

For what its worth, my weller can also light up LEDs while I'm soldering them.😅

the best channel I know

Great information!

3:10 It's very badly worded but I'm fairly confident each USB-C can deliver 65 W. If you use both at the same time, that's 45 W on the first and 20 W on the second

31:23 - Fnirsi/kaiweets have screwing part for heating element, screw O ring terminal with earth wire there. T12 tips can be used also on Fnirsi, but I had to make aluminum part of 42mm to screw it on device. Now I have all range of tips.

Regarding the speaker noise... if for example the current was 0.0004 A (which would still read 0.000A on the meter), at 100V you have 0.04W, which jives with how quiet you indicated it was; plus the ~90V floating iron was quieter. :-) Sequre's mod recommendation and gift is commendable, but I feel like they should provide the capacitor as well, especially if they're already offering to send a free tip! But thanks for these reviews! I've been needing to get a (pseudo-)portable iron... :-)

I have a Miniware TS-101 type iron and I found that it also had about 90v AC on the tip, however I did read the manual and it does have an earthing point and with that in use, I see maybe a few mV AC, so quite a difference, so definitely a consideration when purchasing this type of iron. Very interesting video for sure.

Since these failed - I would really be interested in what you think about the Aixun T380 ‘portable’ unit?? I know you found serious faults with the T4A - what about the T380??

Those tips for the KETS02 look an awful lot like the tips usedby the TS100/TS101. I wonder if they are interchangeable.

Damn, these days even a soldering Iron needs to get updated.....!!!! Good video.

Leaving a comment, great support!🎉

I have the Fnrisi (or whatever the name is) version. I have tried running it on power banks that dont output 20v and it will not work for some reason. Mine didnt come with an adapter either. However, I really do like it! Work great off my 40k Anker bank. That rebooting issue (from my experience) is caused by the iron pulling more current from the power supply than it can handle and the voltage drop causes the microcontroller to reboot. Had that issue with every adapter I own, save one.

what happens to either iron if you forget to install the tip

NL socket is the best !

Pay attention if there is a direct galvanic connection from the outside of the case to the tip (a screw to connect ESD). Sh*t happens. That is an unnecessary risk to get an electrical chock. In my long repair practice I managed more than once to solder a real hot point...(tubes). My fault, but as I am still a live as I am a trained professional...(now). If there are such metal screws isolate them! My Weller is completely isolated(but has an ESD connector in the power supply. These device are dangerous toys.

With your speaker you have build a simple radio. Remember the coil? The solder iron is your antenna. You hear the 50/60Hz humm. And you hear the radio noise the iron makes.

Is the only difference to the original upload the text shown on the screen saying it can be grounded?

I have found some good c245 tips from china if anyone wants to know which ones I can recommend them, the resistance is fine so you will get good power from them, I do prefer the Alientek t80p soldering iron, very similar to S99 but has better grip and better build quality

Yo the direction of the cable only matters for your usb tester. Some of them cheap out and only have the one set of critical contacts inside of the usb c connector instead of all of them to save money.

For a while, i thought Sean Connery came back!

At least UK uses metric system! Oh boy!

A solder iron that can't be ESD grounded is crap. The problem with ESD is, that it doesn't kill immediately but might degree the ICs protection a bit. There must be a way to connect the solder tip to earth with a high voltage 1 Megohm resistor. Using a power bank doesn't help.

Having to solder a soldering iron seems ironic!

Those "type G" UK cord ends are over engineered in my opinion. They are massive and look like busbars you are plugging into the socket for the actual amount of current being drawn. Not saying the north American Type A and B are perfect either ( trust me I'd rather be using 240V over here too)

No, I disagree with you about Sequre's way of addressing this. Not only do they not give you the component you need, but they don't even give you the "free" tip unless you order something else from them! Crap!. I can only assume the the money sent to them works as it should right from the beginning. No. This is on them and is their responsibility to fix. All you should have to do is send them a photo of a valid order with the number clearly shown (to prevent fraud) and they should send you a new unit. Optionally they could also send a return mailer to get their faulty ones back.

35:10 if you don't have 40 minutes....

blah blah blah... respect digital resources and your dignity