Independent, hands-on reviews of soldering irons, hot air rework stations, and electronics tools, plus original electronics projects and automotive diagnostics.https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/en-gbhttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/solis-local-modbus-keep-solis-cloud/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/solis-local-modbus-keep-solis-cloud/Read a Solis hybrid inverter locally over Modbus TCP and keep Solis Cloud working, using a Waveshare 4-channel RS485 gateway: pinouts, wiring, settings and test scripts.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTArticleshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/soldering-iron-rankings/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/soldering-iron-rankings/My soldering iron recommendations for hobby, professional and portable use. Compare soldering performance, build quality, temperature accuracy and USD prices.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTArticleshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/hot-air-station-rankings/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/hot-air-station-rankings/My hot air station recommendations for hobby, professional and specialist work. Compare rework, build quality, temperature control, airflow and USD prices.Mon, 05 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTArticleshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/wireless-dmx-over-esp-now-with-esp32-s3-touchscreens/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/wireless-dmx-over-esp-now-with-esp32-s3-touchscreens/Adding wireless DMX to an ESP32-S3 touch dimmer using ESP-NOW, with a 16-channel receiver, pairing, smoothing and scope-verified DMX output.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/esp32-wireless-dmx-touch-dimmer/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/esp32-wireless-dmx-touch-dimmer/Building an ESP32 touchscreen lighting controller with Waveshare displays, LVGL and ESP-NOW: scenes, wireless DMX, receiver diagnostics and Home Assistant.Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTArticleshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/rgbal-multi-primary-led-control-wled/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/articles/rgbal-multi-primary-led-control-wled/A technical study of RGBW, RGBCCT, RGBA, RGBL and RGBAL LED systems, the colour model implemented by WLED, and a firmware fork that converts colour requests into calibrated four- and five-primary drive values for an architectural luminaire.Wed, 12 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTArticleshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/december-pcb-deals-free-colour-upgrades-3d-printing/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/december-pcb-deals-free-colour-upgrades-3d-printing/A quick look at December PCB fabrication offers: free pink, purple or matte black solder mask upgrades, half price 3D printing, and coupon codes.Tue, 02 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTProduct Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/metcal-mx-h9-mx-h10-micro-fine-iron-tweezers-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/metcal-mx-h9-mx-h10-micro-fine-iron-tweezers-review/Hands-on with Metcal's MX-H9 micro-fine soldering iron and MX-H10 tweezers: cartridge range, microscope ergonomics, 01005 rework and JBC comparisons.Mon, 01 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/solder-won-t-melt-how-to-fix-an-oxidized-iron-tip/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/solder-won-t-melt-how-to-fix-an-oxidized-iron-tip/Damp sponge, brass wool, JBC Inox wool, rosin, tip tinner and sal ammoniac tested on badly oxidized soldering tips. See what actually works.Fri, 31 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-hc24-review-450w-jbc-soldering-station/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-hc24-review-450w-jbc-soldering-station/Testing the Geeboon HC24 SMPS soldering station with T470, T245 and T115 JBC handpieces: teardown, calibration, tip leakage, firmware fix and fan noise.Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/xtool-xt80w-review-wireless-obd2-diagnostic-tablet/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/xtool-xt80w-review-wireless-obd2-diagnostic-tablet/Hands-on with the XTool XT80W wireless OBD2 scan tool: topology scanning, live data graphing, DTC clearing and actuation tests on a real vehicle.Tue, 29 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/aixun-h414d-dual-hot-air-station-review-teardown/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/aixun-h414d-dual-hot-air-station-review-teardown/Aixun H414D dual channel hot air station tested: 2x1400W handpieces, RGB rings, vibration alerts, reflow curves, full teardown and mains safety check.Fri, 25 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTHot Air Station Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/cambridge-audio-bluetone-100-repair-no-bluetooth-fix/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/cambridge-audio-bluetone-100-repair-no-bluetooth-fix/Diagnosing a Bluetone 100 that plays analogue audio but won't pair. Scope traces, EEPROM dumps and a CSR8645 to CSR8675 module swap that finally works.Sun, 20 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-ha310-400w-does-it-really-kill-components/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-ha310-400w-does-it-really-kill-components/Testing the claim that a 400W soldering station destroys electronics. A full kit assembled with an oversized tip on the Geeboon HA310, with C210 support too.Sun, 13 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-ha310-review-450w-jbc-t470-soldering-station/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-ha310-review-450w-jbc-t470-soldering-station/The Geeboon HA310 drives JBC T115, T210, T245 and T470 handpieces from a toroidal transformer. Teardown, calibration and copper bar soldering tests.Sun, 29 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-c470-380w-station-finally-beats-metcal/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/geeboon-c470-380w-station-finally-beats-metcal/Hands-on with the Geeboon C470 380W JBC-compatible soldering station: teardown, dual 24V supplies, calibration check and busbar tests against a Metcal.Fri, 23 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/nad-d7050-oled-swap-reverse-engineering-the-spi-bus/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/nad-d7050-oled-swap-reverse-engineering-the-spi-bus/Decoding the NAD D7050's obsolete SSD1355 OLED protocol with a logic analyser, then driving an SSD1351 OLED and ST7735S IPS TFT as replacements.Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/vdiag-v200-pro-automotive-circuit-probe-tested/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/vdiag-v200-pro-automotive-circuit-probe-tested/Hands-on test of the VDIAG V200 Pro power probe and wire tracer: teardown, current limits, scope accuracy and finding a broken wire in seconds.Fri, 25 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/nad-d-7050-amplifier-repair-multiple-faults-fixed/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/nad-d-7050-amplifier-repair-multiple-faults-fixed/Repairing a faulty eBay NAD D 7050 digital amplifier: cracked SMPS transformer, dead caps, blown OLED boost converter and a burnt out white LED.Wed, 23 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/aixun-t413-200w-soldering-station-t225-handpiece-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/aixun-t413-200w-soldering-station-t225-handpiece-review/Aixun T413 200W soldering station and T225 smart handpiece tested: great hardware, teardown, but firmware bugs and a badly out of calibration handle.Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/i2c-pdk1200-review-300w-dual-jbc-soldering-station/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/i2c-pdk1200-review-300w-dual-jbc-soldering-station/Teardown and testing of the i2c PDK1200 300W dual-channel soldering station for JBC 115, 210 and 245 handpieces. Build quality, firmware, calibration and power.Tue, 18 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/zero-crossing-detection-nylon-vs-resin-3d-prints/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/zero-crossing-detection-nylon-vs-resin-3d-prints/Testing PCBWay nylon PA12 and clear resin wall mounts for a Waveshare 4in ESP32-S3 touch dimmer, plus lower-power zero crossing detection options.Wed, 12 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/aliexpress-3-channel-dmx-ac-dimmer-unsafe-isolation/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/aliexpress-3-channel-dmx-ac-dimmer-unsafe-isolation/Teardown and testing of a 3-channel DMX512 MOSFET AC trailing edge dimmer from AliExpress. Good circuit design, but the PCB isolation is a serious safety fail.Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTProduct Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/axxsolder-review-open-source-jbc-soldering-controller/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/axxsolder-review-open-source-jbc-soldering-controller/Hands-on with the AxxSolder STM32 JBC controller: USB-C vs 24V DC heat-up, schematic critique, GUI walkthrough and firmware update steps.Sun, 23 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/diy-rgb-meteor-shower-lights-with-esp32-and-wled/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/diy-rgb-meteor-shower-lights-with-esp32-and-wled/Custom meteor shower Christmas lights built from WS2812 LED PCBs, ESP32 controllers running WLED, acrylic tubes and 3D printed weatherproof caps.Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/shinco-sdl5-10d-dehumidifier-repair-5-ebay-return/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/shinco-sdl5-10d-dehumidifier-repair-5-ebay-return/A faulty Shinco SDL5-10D dehumidifier bought for £5 as a customer return, diagnosed and fixed: blown display driver IC and an open-circuit resistor.Mon, 09 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/fosi-audio-n3-headphone-amp-repair-dead-channel-fix/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/fosi-audio-n3-headphone-amp-repair-dead-channel-fix/A £4 faulty Fosi Audio N3 Bluetooth headphone amp gets a dead-channel diagnosis, ripped 3.5mm jack replacement, wire mod and LED fix, plus a listening test.Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/quick-861-pro-hot-air-station-review-teardown/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/quick-861-pro-hot-air-station-review-teardown/Quick's 1300W flagship 861 Pro tested: 70L/min blower, reflow profiles, teardown and the gimmicky voice control that struggles with English accents.Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTHot Air Station Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/cambridge-audio-dacmagic-plus-repair-whine-fix/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/cambridge-audio-dacmagic-plus-repair-whine-fix/Diagnosing the DacMagic Plus high pitched whine: the real culprit is C179 on the DC-DC input, not C148. Full ESR testing and repair walkthrough.Wed, 30 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/quick-ts11-soldering-station-review-teardown/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/quick-ts11-soldering-station-review-teardown/Hands-on review of the Quick TS11 80W soldering station: teardown, calibration check, power draw and thermal tests on heavy ground planes.Sun, 20 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/nad-d-3020-repair-dead-amp-blown-hypex-ucd102/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/repairs/nad-d-3020-repair-dead-amp-blown-hypex-ucd102/Fixing a no-power NAD D 3020 hybrid digital amp: open current sense resistors, shorted Class D MOSFETs and glue-corroded vias on the Hypex board.Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTRepairshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/kingbolen-k7-bi-directional-scan-tool-review-test/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/kingbolen-k7-bi-directional-scan-tool-review-test/Hands-on with the Kingbolen K7 bi-directional scan tool: full system health scan, live data graphing, actuation tests, coding and 3 years of updates.Wed, 09 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/wled-to-arcdot-led-control-via-dmx-bridge-test/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/wled-to-arcdot-led-control-via-dmx-bridge-test/Reverse engineering ArcDot garden LEDs: why the ESP32 UART can't do 9-bit data, and how a dsPIC33 DMX bridge makes WLED drive them.Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/reverse-engineered-led-garden-lights-74-installed/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/reverse-engineered-led-garden-lights-74-installed/Progress update on a DIY LED garden lighting install: 74 lights wired in, the controller protocol reverse engineered, and a custom PCB coming next.Thu, 03 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/reverse-engineering-pulsar-arcdot-led-pixels/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/electronics-projects/reverse-engineering-pulsar-arcdot-led-pixels/Teardown and protocol decode of Pulsar ArcDot2 LED pixels and the ArcDotDriver80 controller, including an RS485 repair and auto-addressing capture.Thu, 26 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTElectronics Projectshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/quick-tr1-review-1000w-all-in-one-hot-air-handpiece/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/hot-air-station-reviews/quick-tr1-review-1000w-all-in-one-hot-air-handpiece/Quick TR1 1000W hot air handpiece reviewed: teardown, STM32 control board, temperature accuracy check and honest notes on noise and cable length.Fri, 20 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTHot Air Station Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/lattepanda-mu-review-intel-n100-x86-board-computer/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/lattepanda-mu-review-intel-n100-x86-board-computer/Hands-on with the LattePanda Mu compute module and carrier board: Intel N100, 8GB LPDDR5, PCIe x4, power draw tested and Raspberry Pi 5 compared.Wed, 18 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTProduct Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/ksger-pd210-review-15-usb-c-c210-soldering-iron/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/ksger-pd210-review-15-usb-c-c210-soldering-iron/Full review of the KSGER PD210 USB-C PD3.0 soldering iron: teardown, capacitive wake sensor, temperature calibration and real soldering power tests.Fri, 26 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/ts-210-usb-c-soldering-iron-review-jbc-c210-tips/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/ts-210-usb-c-soldering-iron-review-jbc-c210-tips/Hands-on review of the £20 TS-210 USB-C soldering iron: teardown, PD/QC support, 4-point calibration accuracy and real soldering tests with JBC C210 tips.Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/handskit-t12-x2-desoldering-tweezers-review-teardown/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/handskit-t12-x2-desoldering-tweezers-review-teardown/Handskit T12-X2 tested: 72W T12 station with desoldering tweezers. Teardown, earthing check, temperature accuracy and real desoldering results.Fri, 19 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/best-car-diagnostic-tool-2024-launch-vs-thinkscan/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/best-car-diagnostic-tool-2024-launch-vs-thinkscan/Seven OBD2 scan tools compared: Ediag Mini, Thinkdiag 2, Kingbolen S500, Launch CRP429C, Thinkscan Max 2, CRP919EBT and X431 Pro Elite.Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/atetool-ae680d-80w-mains-powered-soldering-iron-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/atetool-ae680d-80w-mains-powered-soldering-iron-review/Testing the ATETOOL AE680D 80W soldering station: 230V cartridges with no thermocouple, OLED menu, calibration accuracy and a full teardown.Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/fnirsi-hs-02a-100w-usb-soldering-iron-fnb48p-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/fnirsi-hs-02a-100w-usb-soldering-iron-fnb48p-review/Hands-on with the FNIRSI HS-02A 100W USB-C soldering iron and the FNB48P USB power meter: real power draw, heat-up times and who they suit.Fri, 24 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/wemon-t31-120w-jbc-style-soldering-station-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/wemon-t31-120w-jbc-style-soldering-station-review/Hands-on review of the Wemon T31 120W soldering station: C115, C210 and C245 support, teardown, calibration and real thermal performance testing.Wed, 22 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/sequre-es555-vs-es666-usb-electric-screwdrivers-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/sequre-es555-vs-es666-usb-electric-screwdrivers-review/Hands-on look at the Sequre ES555 and ES666 rechargeable electric screwdrivers: torque, bit quality, battery life and whether they beat a manual driver.Wed, 15 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTProduct Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/launch-creader-elite-2-0-review-bmw-vag-mercedes/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/launch-creader-elite-2-0-review-bmw-vag-mercedes/Hands-on look at the Launch Creader Elite 2.0 diagnostic scanner: coverage, bidirectional tests, service resets and whether it earns its price.Tue, 14 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/viofo-mini-2k-dash-cam-review-parking-mode-tested/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/automotive-tools/viofo-mini-2k-dash-cam-review-parking-mode-tested/Hands-on review of the Viofo Mini 2K dash camera: HK5 hardwire kit, app setup, real current draw in parking mode and day and night video quality.Fri, 10 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTAutomotive Toolshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/aixun-t380-review-80w-usb-c-battery-soldering-iron/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/aixun-t380-review-80w-usb-c-battery-soldering-iron/Hands-on with the Aixun T380: 80W USB-C PD portable soldering station with swappable battery, teardown, thermal testing and real-world verdict.Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/miniware-mhp50-mini-hot-plate-preheater-review/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/product-reviews/miniware-mhp50-mini-hot-plate-preheater-review/Hands-on review of the Miniware MHP50 USB-C hot plate: heat-up speed, reflow profiles, real PCB reflow tests and a look inside.Tue, 23 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTProduct Reviewshttps://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/gvm-h3-soldering-station-retest-fixed/https://sdgelectronics.co.uk/soldering-iron-reviews/gvm-h3-soldering-station-retest-fixed/Retesting the GVM H3 after correcting swapped transformer connectors: improved soldering power, but slow wake-up and assembly concerns remain.Wed, 17 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTSoldering Iron Reviews