Pinecil: Test, Repair, Issues

This is a WORK in PROGRESS... under construction.

Cautions

Warning: while opening your pinecil will not necessarily void your warranty, all self-repairs are done at your own risk. Read everything in this section and related or linked articles to get a good idea of the procedure, and go to the pinecil community chat if you desire advice/support from experienced volunteers. Self-repairs or mods will void your warranty so proceed if this is not a concern. This information is for educational purposes only.

Pinecil V1 and V2 have slightly different schematics and the MCU in both is different. Doing repairs requires referencing the correct schematics. The datasheets are also important to get information about the chips, and to order replacement parts. Communication with other owners of Pinecil is also encouraged as they have experience (already broken things so you don't have to).

Note: This is a new work in progress (WIP) started Feb. 18, 2023 which may be updated over time as various volunteers have time to write up information.

Tools you need

1. All Schematics, Datasheets for known common parts, and links to where to buy some replacement parts are all in the main Pinecil Wiki here.
   • Refer to the correct section for V1 or V2 parts.
   • Which model do I have? The older V1 model has an all black handle with a blue silicone grip and was discontinued in July 2022. The new V2 model has a black handle with a green thumb grib and is the only model PINE64 and authorized resellers sell starting in August 2022.
2. Reference photos of the PCB boards here. This will help communicate with volunteers in the [Pinecil#Live_Community_Chat live pinecil chat channel].
3. Digital Multimeter, and optional but nice for electronic work are better leads with needle size probes.
4. Possibly another soldering iron, some flux, solder, and Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA) for cleaning the PCB.
5. Philips screwdriver for small screws.
6. Magnyfying lamp or [https://a.co/7Ua8chx Jeweler's glasses and good room light.
7. Optional but helpful: mobil phone to take macro photos to share on the live chat during troubleshooting. Sample Macro lens for phone, there are cheaper ones that simply clip onto the phone.
8. An oscilloscope is sometimes helpful but not needed for most repairs.

Disassembly steps

Easy trick to open the Pinecil, see Video here.

1. It is recommended to take photos to help with reassembly.
2. Loosen the top tip screw (PH1) (top is the side with the screen).
3. Gently pull the tip out and set aside (let the tip cool down first or use protection to prevent burns).
4. Slide the rubber thumb grip off the front.
5. Remove the bottom-front screw (between the bottom feet (PH1)).
6. Remove the ground screw (longer m2x4mm screw next to the screen near the (-) button (PH1)).
7. Slightly pull the two halves of the case apart at the tip front end first, enough to get a fingernail or guitar pick between 2 parts.
8. Move the pick down the length of the split to loosen the bottom half's clips from the top half of the case.
9. Once loose, remove the bottom half by sliding it a little forward (it is retained by the top half at the DC barrel side).
10. Remove the screws retaining the copper tip contacts (PH000, M1.4 x 5).
11. Remove the copper tip contacts (note the orientation of the contacts & tiny tab hole).
12. Lift the PCB gently up from Tip end.
13. Remove the round copper ring contact from under the PCB, near the tip end of the handle (this is installed first before the PCB because it provides ground contact from the front of the pinecil to the rear ground screw).
14. Remove the two small round buttons so they do not get lost.

Assembly steps

1. Place the two round buttons into the two holes in the top half of the case.
2. Install the round copper ground contact at the tip end before installing the PCB.
3. Place the PCB board into handle at an angle, DC barrel end goes in first.
   1. Lower the rest of the board into the case and align the PCB with the 2 contact screw holes.
4. Install the two copper tip contacts (note the small tab on the contact and the small hole in the PCB for it).
   1. Orient the contact to align the alignment pin with the alignment hole next to the big hole on one of the big gold pads.
   2. Install and gently tighten the PH000 screw until the clip is no longer loose.
5. Place the bottom half of the case into the top half by sliding the lip on the port side (side without the feet) of the bottom half under the arch of the port side of the top half.
6. Gently close the case by bringing the two halves together, paying attention to each clip's alignment and ensuring the case edges align.
7. Install the short PH1 screw at the bottom of the tip side of the case.
8. Install the longer PH1 screw at the ground connection point at the top side of the case (between the display and the ports).
9. Slide the rubber sleeve on (larger ridge first).
10. Gently insert tip.
11. Gently tighten the top PH1 screw to retain the tip.

Diagnosis & Testing

If you can't find information here yet that you would like advice on, simply join the live pinecil chat channel which is volunteer run.

Some Troubleshooting information is also on Github Ralim's IronOS (which is the same firmware that is on the iron). There are several hidden Debug tools in the firmware that also help with diagnosis.

1. Tip is glowing red hot. Grats! you have a Glowcil. Unplug immediately, you have most likely a blown mosfet, see Mosfet section.
2. Screen is black and won't turn on
3. Temperature is flickering wildly: see Poor contact repair.

Poor Contact test and repair

1. Poor contact could happen if the tips are not clean or brand new with factory residue or not making good contact with the internal clips inside the pinecil. The two contacts inside might need to also be removed, wiped and reinstalled with the two screws (ensure the small metal tab on the clip sits into the small hole in the PCB).
2. Most likely the tip is not making good contact. Usually this issue goes away after a few days of use as the tip rubs against the contacts more. New tips could have factory residue on them from handling.
3. To fix this issue quicker, wipe all new tips or old tips with a dry towel or 90-99% IPA (isopropyl alchohol) especially the two silver contacts at the white plastic end (do not use water to wipe it which could get into the seam line on the white end).
4. With the pinecil unplugged, remove and reinsert the tip a couple times and spin it a little inside against the contacts. Then plug it in and heat it up to 350C a few times for a couple minutes.
5. Always unplug pinecil before swapping tips. Hot swapping is not a good idea, and for the V2 this could cause strange behavior as the V2 auto-detects tip resistance only on power-up or reboot.
6. Sometimes just disassembling and reassembling all parts back correctly and installing the 2 internal contacts with screws correctly also helps.

Pinecil V1, 24V Mod

Warning: do this at your own risk, read everything in this section and related/linked articles, and go to the pinecil community chat if you desire advice. An incorrect cut of the trace could render the Pinecil non-working.

1. This modification is not for the V2 as the newer V2 already 24V DC capability.
2. Upgrade to the newest [Pinecil#Firmware_&_Updates Firmware] before starting this modification. The PD debug menu was added to the firmware in 2.17 and other important fixes came later. Access to the hidden PD debug menu is necessary to assist with this mod.
3. See Ralim's IronOS for how to use the hidden PD Debug menu and check if your version of Pinecil V1 could benefit from the modification.
4. Some models of V1 came with the PCB already capable of 24V. Do the PD Debug test first to see if the mod is not required.
5. See the February 2022 Community update. The Photo is incorrect in the article. It is not a before and after photo. They are two separate photos of two different V1 pinecils which have slightly different PCB and therefore have the trace cut in a slightly different location. One PCB came with 2 Via holes and is harder to modify and cut in the correct location to avoid damaging the via holes.

Go back to Pinecil article

Go back to Pinecil article.