Pinecil: Test, Repair, Issues

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

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. This is a work in progress 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. Magnyfying lamp or [https://a.co/7Ua8chx Jeweler's glasses and good room light.
6. 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.
7. An oscilloscope is sometimes helpful but not needed for most repairs.

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 Contacts

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.

Go back to Pinecil article

Go back to Pinecil article.