General Questions
What is IronOS?
IronOS is open source flexible firmware for soldering hardware. Originally conceived as an alternative firmware for the TS100, it has evolved into a complex soldering hardware control firmware that supports multiple devices including Pinecil, TS100, TS80, TS80P, TS101, MHP30, and Sequre devices.Which devices are supported?
IronOS supports the following devices:- Pinecil V1 and V2
- Miniware TS100, TS80, TS80P, TS101
- Miniware MHP30 (reflow plate)
- Sequre S60, S60P, T55
What is the current stable version?
The current stable release is v2.23. You can download it from the GitHub releases page.How do I update my device?
Please refer to the flashing guide specific to your device. Each device has different update procedures:- Pinecil V1 Flashing Guide
- Pinecil V2 Flashing Guide
- TS100 Flashing Guide
- TS80/TS80P Flashing Guide
- MHP30 Flashing Guide
Can I change settings without a computer?
Yes! All settings in IronOS are adjustable on the device itself through the onscreen menu. A computer is not required to change any setting.What languages are supported?
Currently 31 languages are supported. When downloading firmware, note the language code in the file name. Multi-lingual firmware combinations are available for some devices like Pinecil.Hardware Questions
My device shows an X where the iron should be. What does this mean?
This indicates that the firmware cannot detect the tip. Try:- Remove the tip screw and tip
- Gently reinstall both, ensuring the tip is seated all the way back
- If the issue persists, see the hardware issues documentation
What is the “Tip Shorted” warning?
This warning appears on devices that support tip resistance detection (TS101 and PinecilV2). It indicates the tip resistance is abnormally low, which could indicate:- A failed driver MOSFET
- A failed tip
My tip temperature reads too high when cold. What should I check?
Check these values in the Debug menu:- RTip: Raw tip reading in μV. Should be around 700-1000 for larger tips, ~1500 for smaller TS80 tips
- CHan: Handle temperature in °C × 10. For example, 29°C should read as 290
My display is blank or shows dots. What should I do?
First, try to heat the tip by pressing the front button to see if heating works. If yes:- The OLED display cable to the main PCB may have poor soldering
- Try reflowing the pins for the OLED
- Check pull-up resistors on the SDA and SCL pins
OLED 0.69 inch / 14 pins / 96 x 16 pixels / 9616TSWC / I2C IIC
What tips are compatible?
- TS100/Pinecil/TS101: T100 and Hakko T12 style tips (~8 ohms). Pinecil also supports shorter custom tips (~6.2 ohms)
- TS80/TS80P: Custom TS80 tips (~4.5 ohms)
- S60: JBC tips
- MHP30/T55: Reflow plate (no tips)
Can I use 4 ohm tips?
v2.23+ adds experimental 4 ohm tip support for Pinecil 1/2 and TS10x. Note this is at your own risk - not all hardware is designed for this.Power Supply Questions
What power supply should I use?
- USB-PD: Highly recommended where possible. Allows the iron to know supply limitations and negotiate appropriate voltage
- QC (Quick Charge): Supported on compatible devices
- DC Barrel: Use highest voltage your device supports (typically 20-24V)
Why does my iron select a lower voltage than my power supply maximum?
The iron cannot control its peak power draw. When using USB-PD, it may select a lower voltage to prevent your power supply from failing due to overcurrent.What is USB-PD EPR and should I enable it?
EPR (Extended Power Range) allows operation at 28V for higher wattage. It is disabled by default due to safety concerns. To enable, set “PD Mode” in Power Settings to “Safe” or “Default”.My power bank keeps shutting off. What should I do?
Enable “Power Pulse” in Advanced Settings. This briefly turns on the heater to draw power and keep power banks awake. Adjust:- Power pulse intensity: How much power to draw
- Power pulse delay: Time between pulses (longer = less tip heating)
- Power pulse duration: How long the pulse lasts
Operation Questions
How do I enter soldering mode?
From the home screen, press the button nearest the tip (+/A). The iron will immediately start heating.
What is boost mode?
Boost mode temporarily overrides the set temperature to a higher value. Hold the front button (+/A) during soldering to activate. Useful for large joints requiring more heat.
Set the boost temperature in Soldering Settings.
How do I lock the buttons?
In soldering mode, press and hold both buttons simultaneously. This prevents accidental button presses. You can optionally allow boost mode while locked via settings.What is sleep mode?
After a period without movement (default timing adjustable), the iron automatically lowers to sleep temperature (default 150°C). This reduces oxidation and extends tip life. Pick up or move the iron to wake it.What is the Hall Effect sensor feature?
Pinecil has an unpopulated footprint for a Hall Effect sensor (Si7210-B-00-IV). When installed with a magnet on your stand, Pinecil automatically enters sleep when placed in the stand. Sensitivity is adjustable (0=off, 1-9). See the Hall Sensor documentation for details.What is Profile Mode?
Profile Mode (MHP30 only) allows you to define and run heating profiles like a proper reflow device. Access by long-holding the+/A button. Configure phases, temperatures, and durations in settings.
Bluetooth Questions (Pinecil V2)
Does Pinecil V2 support Bluetooth?
Yes, Pinecil V2 has Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) support for reading telemetry and adjusting settings remotely using tools like PineSAM or PineTool.Is Bluetooth enabled by default?
No. Starting with v2.23, Bluetooth is disabled by default due to security concerns.How do I enable Bluetooth?
- Go to Settings menu
- Press
-/Bfour times to scroll to “Advanced settings” - Press
+/Ato open submenu - Press
+/Ato toggle/enable Bluetooth - Press and hold
-/Bfor 5+ seconds to exit Settings
What can I do with Bluetooth?
You can:- Read live telemetry (temperature, voltage, power, etc.)
- Adjust settings remotely
- View firmware version and device information
Calibration Questions
Do I need to calibrate my iron?
Most users do not need calibration. Consider calibration only if:- Your temperature readings seem significantly off
- You get cutoff voltage warnings with a good power supply
- Your tips are wearing out prematurely
How do I calibrate input voltage?
- Measure input voltage with a multimeter
- Connect power to your iron
- Enter Settings → Advanced Settings → Calibrate Input Voltage
- Use front/back buttons to adjust displayed voltage to match measurement
- Press both buttons to save and exit
How do I calibrate Cold Junction Compensation (CJC)?
Only calibrate if the temperature difference between target and measured is greater than 5°C.- Connect power to your device
- Go to Advanced Settings → “Calibrate CJC at next boot” and enable it
- Exit settings menu
- Unplug device and wait until tip and handle are at room temperature
- Power on the device (keep it on the desk)
- Device shows “calibrating…” then “Calibration done!”
- Tip is installed
- Temperature difference between tip and handle is less than 10°C
Should I calibrate when changing tip lengths?
No, changing tip lengths does not necessarily require calibration. Check first that your tips are not defective:- Pinecil/TS100 short tips: 6.2Ω
- Pinecil/TS100 long tips: 8Ω
- TS80/P: ~4.5Ω
Settings Questions
How do I navigate the settings menu?
- Back button (
-/B): Scrolls through main options and submenus - Front button (
+/A): Enters submenus or changes values - Wait on any setting for 3 seconds to see a description scroll across the screen
- Long hold
-/Bto exit and return to home screen
How do I reset to default settings?
Go to Advanced Settings → “Restore default settings” and confirm with the+/A button. This resets all settings to defaults but does NOT erase custom boot logos.
Can I change the temperature units?
Yes, in User Interface settings, you can switch between Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F).Can I swap the button functions?
Yes! In User Interface settings:- Swap +/- keys: Reverses which button increases/decreases temperature
- Swap A/B keys: Reverses button assignments in Settings menu (added in v2.23)
What is the difference between detailed idle and detailed soldering screens?
Detailed views use text instead of graphics to show more information:- Detailed idle screen: Shows status with extra details on the home screen
- Detailed soldering screen: Text-based view during soldering with more information
Troubleshooting
My iron won’t heat up. What should I check?
- Ensure tip is properly installed and seated
- Try reflashing the firmware
- Check that heating works by entering soldering mode
- If no heating, you may have a hardware issue (MOSFET or connection)
The accelerometer is not detected. What does this mean?
- Your device may have a new accelerometer model not yet supported
- There may be a soldering issue with the accelerometer (try reflowing)
My iron heats when NOT in heating mode. What should I do?
⚠️ DISCONNECT YOUR TIP IMMEDIATELY ⚠️ You likely have a blown MOSFET or shorted pin. Check the MOSFET and its driver transistor. The firmware will not enable the tip until soldering mode is active.Where can I get more help?
- IronOS GitHub Discussions
- IronOS GitHub Issues
- Pinecil Community Chat (for Pinecil devices purchased from official stores)
Contributing
How can I contribute?
- Submit translations: Translation files are stored as JSON in the
Translationsfolder - Report bugs: Use GitHub Issues
- Submit feature requests: Use GitHub Discussions
- Contribute code: Pull requests are welcome