ITTSB.EU Blog Forum
ITTSB Blog Specific => ITTSB - Small projects by Kiriakos & User reviews => Topic started by: Kiriakos GR on March 26, 2024, 01:19:29 PM
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I am now also owner of RST FG-100 thermometer / soldering iron tip temperature tester. :)
Ali-Express Total: 12.20 € (price includes shipping + 24% VAT)
The seller actually receives 7.43 (in EUR)
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I do now feel happy and angry for two separate reasons.
I do feel happy, because I am going to receive latest 9/2023 batch of RST FG-100.
Now I do feel also angry about all these morons at YouTube, which pretend the experts about product originality ...
The major supplier of RST FG-100 , he clearly mention at the listing that this is a Made in China tester.
Additionally he mention that HAKKO logo this removed from their production since 27.4.2016
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Any new product this is covered with 10 years of protection regarding product design copyright.
HAKKO FG-100 of the year 2006 had product design copyright expiration the year 2016.
But HAKKO brand logo this has permanent Copyrights protection.
The long story in sort, since 2016 HAKKO moved forwards developing fresher revisions of the basic FG-100.
FG-100 product design this left back = this were discontinued.
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Since the year 2016, FG-100 exterior design this can be reproduced by anyone.
Its now obvious that industry of China this developed their own IC thermometer chip (all in one) = modernized version.
And as it should be expected this 100% Made in China thermometer this is sold for domestic market and exports.
Today the text RST this translates to a product this coming from the major Chinese factory.
According my brain-cells, I did decide to demonstrate trust at the major product supplier at Ali-Express.
Ali-Express this is engine of the communist China, and there is not much of freedom of whom will be a major distributor of any product.
Therefore and according to social model of China, the front man with company name lefavor Official Store he is truly connected with the production source of these FG-100 in China.
Additionally this person / company / shop, he is not willing to set on risk their hard earned good reputation.
This also translates that this seller, he has significant gravity as customer of the production factory = Only grade A products in stock.
Finally and regarding shipping, any order from this shop it would be prioritized much differently = Fast shipping.
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All now sold RST FG-100 they include:
The thermometer plus one Teflon white disc (washer)
Plus 5 pcs of sensor 191-212 (compatible version).
In the positive side of things, PCB soldering quality this has significantly improve since 2018 and later.
Temperature precision of ±3ºC (300 to 600ºC) just for the tester.
Sensor Temperature range 480ºC Max
Bellow are stock photographs along proofs of my own purchase.
Also I need to confess that I do not have second thoughts of giving my money for a modern made substitute tester of the older HAKKO FG-100.
Because at the end of the day the older real thing, this is made of technology available back in 2006, and this is not any better than the new ...
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Congratulations mate !!
With this latest addition your lab this is now more complete regarding test gear. ;)
I did find as interesting your suggestion about the sensor for this tester.
https://www.ittsb.eu/forum/index.php?topic=1871.0
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Back in time the function of Max-Hold at FG-100 it did caused some confusion mostly at the youth. :)
Some people though of it as equivalent function to Auto Hold, this does automatic measurement hold when maximum measuring temperature this stabilize within a few seconds.
At HAKKO FG-100 and also at RST-FG-100, Max-Hold this is a manually activated function, the most appropriate name for it this is Display Hold of currently measured value.
As is also explained due the image bellow, at basic FG-100 fast pressing of Max-Hold this is measured value refresh.
Long pressing of Max-Hold = Function ON / OFF
Never forget that HAKKO FG-100 this is electronics design of 2006, it is an accurate thermometer with Hold function and no other magic tricks. :)
(Later on at year 2019, HAKKO added both of these functions at FG-100B )
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Congratulations mate !!
With this latest addition your lab this is now more complete regarding test gear. ;)
This is a fact .. :)
And I am very pleased to say, that regarding temperature I can do both, measurements along calibration inspection of the measuring tool.
Thanks mate.
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What about the older Hakko 191 thermometer, any thoughts / comments ?
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Here is a new find of my own, of how its FG-100 serial code this translates.
RST brand and the mother of these FG-100, they do not have constantly active production line.
And therefore, they manufacture a fresh batch when stock availability this gets low, and actually only once annually.
(They might produce even 6000 thousands of units per Year or more.)
The code: Translates to production date plus four digits.
Production date starts from Year / Month / Day = 8 digits
This is of how to find the batch at most FG-100 thermometer, for as long there is a sticker at the back.
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What about the older Hakko 191 thermometer, any thoughts / comments ?
At Ali Express this meter has the highest rates at:
a) Dead on arrival
b) Not working properly
And I did decide to avoid it and never look back.
RST FG-100 this is All-in-one Chip with few only passive components at the PCB.
This detail translates to, if the chip gets in production with caution? All production will be according to specification.
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RST FG-100 this is All-in-one Chip with few only passive components at the PCB.
This detail translates to, if the chip gets in production with caution? All production will be according to specification.
I bet that after arrival of your RST FG-100 unit, we will read the most analytic review ever made for it. ;)
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I bet that after arrival of your RST FG-100 unit, we will read the most analytic review ever made for it. ;)
I have actually today, two unit of RST FG-100 shipped to me. 8)
My first RST FG-100, this comes with fast mail (Cainiao - Ali Express)
My second RST FG-100, this comes with normal speed (Sunyou - Sypost)
The first unit will be most recent manufacturing production ( year 2023 or 2024)
For the second unit, I have no idea as it comes from eBay drop shipper.
Therefore this is not going to be a regular mini review, but also quality control verification. ;)
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Today Monday 15 April 2024 we have first RST FG100 Arrival
This is first impression that most to all Ali-Express buyers have and this is confirmed.
You get:
a) An crushed cardboard box (this made for local storage and the seller use it for international shipping).
And or the warehouse crushed it, because they have an enormously huge pile of these in storage.
b) One RST FG-100 in good condition production 2024 - 0609 - 8822
Serial Number Translation: Year - batch number - number of specific thermometer.
Some one produce all ready 9999 units so to sale within 2024
c) One Sensor pack with out anything printed at the back of carton label = Made with love from an anonymous friend.
d) One white washer this made of soft silicon and not of Teflon.
(This might be heat resistant as is the hoses within home Steam Iron for Clothes)
And here are my first photographs gallery / Ali Express style of presentation. :)
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Calibration testing due injected signal from a Voltage calibrator
I need to rewrite RST FG-100 PRODUCT SPECIFICATIONS because its a different animal. 8)
Entire measuring range this starts from minus 200 Celsius up to 1370 Celsius.
Verified temperate range: This is -70 up to +1370 Celsius (with minimal error).
It is impressive the fact that specific RST FG-100 this delivering identical measurement by one Celsius or less of difference, in comparison to BM869.
I did also verify that at 100C and over, Auto power OFF function this gets automatically disabled.
Auto power OFF function with three minutes limit it is active at 99C and below.
At 100C = Auto power OFF disabled, I did succeed RST FG-100 this to warmup and stabilize for 45 minutes.
(We know that DMM must warmup for 30 minutes for actual calibration testing.)
As soon both measuring devices warmup and stabilize, most measurements came close to be identical.
My RST FG-100 this has internal PCB revision of 2019, and this translates that all units from 2019 ~ 2024 all are identical.
Note: Never take apart plastic case of RST FG-100, the spring loaded mechanism ITS VERY DIFFICULT to be installed back in place.
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This thing measuring temperature from freezer up to titanium melting point 1668 °C ... Or close enough ;D
My Japanese helper also confirms that my new RST FG-100 this is spot-on.
So what I did so far?
I did tested this thermometer electronics, side by side with reputable HH DMM, and this task verified that electronics circuit this is extremely well adjusted from the factory.
I did also tested RST FG-100 with external OMEGA K-type thermocouple ( temporarily placement) and this operates normally as any K-type thermometer.
I did measure thickness of RST FG-100 sensor pin, and this is 2.30mm.
I did operate RST FG-100 continues for three hours, no flames appeared. :D
At temperature calibration lab, this test called as temperature verification with out sensor error.
There is not any measuring device with out this including even a small calibration error.
And I just confirmed that RST FG-100 measuring error this is not greater than the other two DMM/ Thermometer.
If we do think this Chinese RST FG-100 as plain soldering tip thermometer, then this is of extreme precision, and the OLD times Hakko FG100 a relic with much worst specifications.
Sensor Error:
I did a small research and the origin of thermocouple wire this is unimportant as quality factor.
The wire is standardized internationally and known tolerance this is +/- 1.5 Celsius.
As far I am aware of, best thermocouple wire this can be manufactured with special request at +/- 1.1 Celsius by OMEGA USA.
This pack of information offer to us the understanding, that there is not out there any thermocouple wire with magical properties.
Neither thermocouple wire length this has any importance at lengths as is below two meter long.
So what is the secret for a good working sensor?
Its all about sensor assembly precision, if a pack of five or ten sensor all have identical assembly and they are not handmade, then you may expect identical measurements too.
We care for trusted measurement repeatability between sensor to another sensor exchange / replacement spare part.
OLD times Hakko FG100 datasheet, it mention to avoid measuring above 500C because the sensor cannot handle it.
In fact all 0.20mm diameter thermocouple wire they have as max the 350C limit (internationally).
Only 0.30mm in diameter wire this can tolerate higher temperature up to 700C Max.
Unbranded HAKCO sensor this measure 0.22mm diameter, and I do consider as max limit the 400C.
Long story in sort, if you care for single sensor longevity, then use as your own set limit the 400C.
Any adjustable soldering station, this with verified good linearity at 200C, 300C and 400C then this is considered as well calibrated.
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Say Goodbye at the crushed cardboard box.
I had good luck along skills and the tool, and succeeded removing these fancy labels from the crushed cardboard box.
Now I have three reusable labels that I can use over the next storage solution for my RST FG-100.
Currently I do keep busy my brain with the question of what would be the most practical storage solution for this tool.
From the other hand, I am expecting in two weeks and a second one.
So I am still puzzled, storage solution per tool? Or per both ? :)
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I have much of educational fun here with all that testing. :)
I did dare to use my LM35 high precision temperature sensor 10mV/Celsius 0,3 precision, along my super weapon 8846A this was set to five digits resolution 1PLC.
The RST FG-100 was powered on and kept active for more than 40 minutes, so this to be considered as stable for calibration inspection.
LM35 along 8844A all warmed up too.
Previously I had install my first 191-222 sensor, this is branded as HAKCO but it is formed with attention to detail = all good.
LM35 sensor this was placed on top of the 191-222 sensor.
The test performed at 10:00 at night, it was a warm day and room temperature this is now stable.
FLK 8846A this measure the output of LM35, and RST FG-100 this takes input by their own sensor.
I were very impressed by the results of my previews test = injected signal and comparison
I got myself in the process to explore and measure of what is called as TC Sensor error.
LM35 is the highest precision sensor (all in one) in my lab, and I consider it as best for ambient temperature measurement and also as Cold-Junction Compensation trusted source.
RST FG-100 as I did prove at my other tests, this has three ranges and digits resolution changes too.
First range: 00.0 up to at 99.9 (three digits resolution)
Second range: 100 up to 999 (three digits resolution)
Third range: 1000 up to 1370 (four digits resolution)
At the lowest range we can review highest detail of 00.1 Celsius.
In contrast at the 8846A I did lower the resolution at five digits 00.001 Celsius, because this is more than enough.
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At the temperature of 24.8C and at the moment that RST FG-100 this was ready to drop last digit at 24.7C , the DMM was still measuring at the high side.
And this translates that measured TC Sensor error at the RST FG-100, this is at the low side ( minus percentage).
At Celsius measurement there is no sub-units, thee digits for up to 99.9 this is all that we have and use.
And so at what called as important digits, I consider specific RST FG-100 also as extremely accurate at this Cold-Junction Compensation comparison.
The actual spotted error at RST FG-100, this is smartly hidden at the digits that the LCD display does not show or have.
In the positive side of things, specific RST FG-100 with serial number 202406098822 and sensor, both PASS Calibration inspection with flying colors. 8)
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This presentation is a confirmation about actual
electrical characteristics of RST-FG100.
I did mention already about the time requirement for thermal stabilization of any DUT when this is inspected about calibration verification.
One bench top or HH DMM, this might have 500 components in it, and a PCB with medium to large dimensions.
RST-FG100 this has instead a small PCB, one active chip, one voltage stabilizer, and no more than fifteen passive components in it.
It is a logical expectation, at 24C room temperature, this to require a much shorter time for thermal stabilization, and this is twelve minutes.
No one ever before, explored Electrical characteristics of this thermometer.
My electrical measurements revealed a small miracle in favor of battery consumption and overall performance.
At this test I did remove 9V dry battery and use as input external precision DC power supply.
At 9.000 V DC I did measure as first DC current consumption at POWER-OFF, at 100uA range (100.000 display resolution) I did measure 1.900uA (1.9 uA).
And or at 1mA range, I did measure 0.0019 mA.
At POWER-ON condition I did measure at 1mA range 45.024uA (45 uA) and or 0.045mA.
Battery consumption gets lower when internal battery voltage gets lower too.
Prior BATTERY LOW Icon this activates, I did measure 41.160uA and or 0.041mA.
Next test was of me exploring voltage levels.
From a 9V battery at full charge, RST-FG100 will activates BAT-LOW ICON at 3.15V, and it will operate until 3.00V, then LO text appear at the digital display and no further measurement it can be performed.
And therefore RST-FG100 working voltage this is at the range of 9V down to 3V.
Most regular alkaline 9V battery this is approximately a source for 400mAh.
By a rough calculation RST-FG100 this can operate by measuring temperature for 8.800 Hours, due a single battery.
But this calculation it would be valid if cut-off voltage was at 6.5V, but this thermometer has cut-off voltage at 3.0V, which this makes hard to calculate of how extended is it actual battery life.
In conclusion, do not bother drilling it so to use it with external PSU.
With a fresh alkaline battery this will be usable to you, for the entire period of specific battery expiration date.
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I have now the impression that original RST FG-100 electronic design, this was made by thinking lithium cell as battery source.
This also might explain of why there is some-sort of 3V voltage regulator in it.
Because of this unusual choice of operating voltage, any considered as empty 9V battery (6.5V termination voltage) this is still usable at this thermometer. ;)
Kiriakos did again excellent work at this thermometer mini review!
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After of me performing a pile of calibration verification's, I did prove that this RST FG-100 its not a toy.
Now lets talk business, yesterday I did use it so to perform calibration inspection of my two soldering stations.
My primary soldering station has digital calibration adjustment, my much older one this has trim-pots adjustment.
I did touch the sensor for over 20 times as I did inspect in a range of temperatures, from 100C and towards up to 450C.
Its very interesting that the most important details of how to properly measure with it, they were never presented by the use of ink.
No one ever wrote in a humanized language, few basic advice's:
a) Carefully place soldering tip over sensor pad and avoid touching sensor wire.
b) Do not use as scale the pad, do not use any sort of pressure.
c) When sensor pad this eventually fill with solder, then use a solder pump so to remove excess solder, so to clean the pad.
How to properly measure with it ..
They are two methods of using RST FG-100 thermometer.
First method it should named as quick visual confirmation, touch the pad for ten seconds, and inspect how high temperature rises.
Second method this is the most valuable one, activate Temperature-Hold, do not look the display, just have your finger resting over Temperature-Hold trigger button.
NOW place the tip at the pad, measure with your voice from 1 to 10, now press trigger button.
NOW move your eyes at the display.
Transfer the measurement in to paper, now add or subtract the necessary compensation at your soldering station calibration menu.
For the next step of confirmation, just follow first method.
If you think that 2~3 C of wrong compensation per displayed indication at your soldering station this is important? Then use Second method again, so to record a new temperature measurement.
With this pack of logical steps, I did the job, and my sensitive sensor pad, this never stressed in any way.
I have now the impression that I can perform more than 500 of measurements with out killing the sensor.
After performing and my last measurement, by the use of my hand solder pump, I did a good cleaning of the pad.
When temperature fall at ambient, the sensor did not demonstrated any change, was as new and unused.
It did measure again the ambient with out error.
Today I have now experiences of my own, at using properly RST FG-100 and sensor.
And I have now 100% awareness, that if you use with respect this tool, this it will never let you down. ;)
Note: Its a fact that scam bags Chinese they cheat on us by delivering only five sensors, per new thermometer.
But if I knew of what I know today due personal experiences, I might never had order additional 10 pack of sensors.
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Perfect analysis .. but I need to ask one question.
At LCD from entire pack of indicators, RST FG-100 uses minus symbol at negative temperature, does this minus symbol also appears when there is no sensor connected ?
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Perfect analysis .. but I need to ask one question.
At LCD from entire pack of indicators, RST FG-100 uses minus symbol at negative temperature, does this minus symbol also appears when there is no sensor connected ?
This is a good question. :)
At RST FG-100, Minus indicator does not appear when sensor this is missing or damaged.