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River M edited this page Apr 2, 2023 · 37 revisions

PineSAM is a Bluetooth BLE app to control the Pinecil V2 through a browser.

I. PineSAM Usage

  1. PineSAM user interface runs in any browser.
    1. On Windows/MacOS, http://localhost:8080/ opens in your browser automatically.
    2. Some Linux distros may need http://localhost:8080/ opened manually.
  2. The backend is a python script that runs in a terminal window that could be minimized or used for debugging.
  3. Click on PineSAM logo to reveal the unique BLE name of your Pinecil.
  4. Update available notice appears under the PineSAM logo when a new release is available.
  5. Version number is next to the Github Cat in the top right of the screen.
  6. Clicking on the waving cat links to the main Github PineSAM repo.
  7. Show Hints: toggles on/off to display help messages from Pinecil and PineSAM.
  8. Temperature automatically adjusts based on °C or °F setting.
  9. Colors are designed to work in Light or Dark view mode on PC and Phone Browsers.
  10. Thermostat icon changes into 100 different color hues as the live temperature changes.

Save Changes to Flash

  • In Work HUD view, leave Save to Flash OFF (not needed and preserves flash cycles).
  • Toggle this on ''only'' before changing settings on the Pinecil so they persist on reboot.

Steps to Change Settings:

  1. toggle on the Save to Flash (grey is off)
  2. change all desired settings
  3. once complete, toggle it off.
  4. if using the Work HUD view, it is best to leave this off. No reason to constantly flash to pinecil for each temperature change (don't worry Pinecil still changes temperature, it's just not permanently flashed and set).

II. Work HUD View

  1. This is a HUD window designed as an all-in-one single view that can be used during soldering.
  2. Phone: designed to be completely viewable on vertical screen.
  3. In this view one can control Set temperature with buttons +/- and view important stats, e.g., live temperature.
  4. Power Bar: bottom bar shows the input voltage, the current estimated watts pinecil is drawing, and the highest peak watt hit during the session.
  5. It is best to leave save to flash toggle Off while using the Work HUD to save on pinecil flash cycles as the PineSAM buttons are used often during a soldering session.

Preset buttons

  1. Allows quick change of user customizable temperatures (exclusive to PineSAM and not available on Pinecil iron directly).
  2. Preset buttons can be customized and saved instantly to desired temperature.
  3. Presets are saved to the html file where the python script is running and will persist if one uses the same PC again.

Steps:

  1. set the number desired with the PineSAM [-][+] buttons.
  2. then long hold the Preset 1/2 you want to save to, click OK on the confirmation box.
  3. it will save what is currently shown in the Set °C at the top.

III. Settings Categories

  • For familiarity, Settings are grouped in a similar way as seen on Pinecil (and as organized in Ralim's IronOS firmware).
  • Categories can be clicked to collapse and reduce screen clutter.
  • Setting numbers can be changed two ways: moving the slider or simply typing on the box next to the slider.
  • Drop-down menus are used for clarity of text choices.
  • Toggle choices are used for all check box items ☑ seen on the pinecil (e.g. detailed idle).

Full settings view


Debug Data

  • Debug is a special category in Pinecil that is usually hidden and not used unless troubleshooting an issue.
  • On Pinecil, the debug menu is accesed by Long hold [-] and then use the [+] to scroll through the values (see here).
  • PineSAM currently displays the raw values as sent by the Pinecil and does no change to the values; therefore, these may not match exactly what you see on the Pinecil Debug screen.
  • Not all values are available yet, e.g., PD Debug values can only be seen on Pinecil.

IV. Terminal Script

  • a python script runs the backend server inside a terminal (e.g. powershell)
  • Terminal messages contain useful information for devs and troubleshooting.
  • BLE MAC address of the pinecil for example is on line "Found pinecil at" C4:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
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