# Installing IronOS on an MHP30 Mini Hot Plate (DEPRECATED) ## Overview Danger: Users are now reporting the manufacturer has changed the chipset in the hotplate and flashing new firmware can "brick" it or otherwise make the unit nonfunctional. We recommend not reflashing the firmware until the situation is better understood. See [this thread](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS/discussions/1812) on the IronOS forums. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/320/medium800/hacks_photo_1-mhp30.jpg?1654868150) The MPH30 "Mini Hot Plate Preheater with USB C Power Supply" is a tiny little bench buddy with a big heart ... I mean heater! While the name suggests it is for pre-heating a PCB, it is very capable of performing solder paste reflow for both assembly and rework. The top surface isn't large - at just 31mm square - which makes is idea for localized PCB rework and reflow tasks. If you are a fan of pencil-style solder irons like the TS80P "USB C Powered Adjustable Temperature Soldering Iron" then you may know there is open source firmware called [IronOS](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS) for it and many similar soldering irons such as the TS100, TS80, and the Pinecil. IronOS has a great user interface, easy customization, and a very active developer community led by "Ralim" aka Ben Brown. It turns out IronOS also supports the MHP30 hot plate! The installation is very easy and the open source project has great instructions and a user guide. You can jump right in with the GitHub instructions which are covered in this guide with additional photos. ### Mini Hot Plate Preheater with USB C Power Supply [Mini Hot Plate Preheater with USB C Power Supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4948) What is this, a camping burner for ants?? Of course not, ants prefer the comfort of B&Bs... From the makers of the luxurious [Motion Control Screwdriver](http://www.adafruit.com/product/3856), the streamlined [USB C...](http://www.adafruit.com/product/4244) In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4948) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4948/guides) ![Video of mini hot plate preheater heating up. The OLED display on the preheater displays a rising temperature above 200ºC. A red LED flashes to white.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/product-videos/640x480/4948-00.jpg) # Installing IronOS on an MHP30 Mini Hot Plate (DEPRECATED) ## Downloading IronOS This guide paraphrases the official [IronOS guide available on GitHub](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS). ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/321/medium800/hacks_photo_2-mhp30.jpg?1654869505) Info: The first step is to download the most recent release of IronOS from GitHub. There is a ZIP file for the MHP30. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/322/medium800/hacks_photo_3-mhp30.jpg?1654869568) Primary: Download and expand the file. The contents include the license and the firmware for each language translation. Find the two-letter identifier for your chosen language. Choose the ".hex" file. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/458/medium800/hacks_photo_4-mhp30-anne.jpg?1655306605) # Installing IronOS on an MHP30 Mini Hot Plate (DEPRECATED) ## Installing ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/324/medium800/hacks_photo_5-mhp30.jpg?1654869818) The next step is to get the MHP30 into DFU "Device Firmware Update" mode. This is achieved by holding the "A" button on the back while plugging the MHP30 USB into the computer you plan to use to do the programming with. The display will show "DFU" and a number (see image above). After a moment, the computer should show a small USB storage device. ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/459/medium800/hacks_photo_6-mhp30-anne.jpg?1655307040) Now, copy the MHP30 ".hex" file to the small USB storage device. You will see the progress and when it is finished, the MHP30 will reboot, which causes it to disconnect and then reconnect. You know the firmware was installed correctly if you navigate to the small USB storage device and the file extension has changed from ".hex" to ".RDY". ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/460/medium800/hacks_photo_7a-mhp30-anne.jpg?1655307283) If you see the extension ".ERR" then the update failed. The first thing to try is to just copy the ".hex" file over again. If it still does not work, then the recommendation is to follow the manufacturer instructions for installing the original firmware. To exit out of DFU mode, just unplug the MHP30 from the computer and then plug it back into its USB power supply! # Installing IronOS on an MHP30 Mini Hot Plate (DEPRECATED) ## Use The firmware implements all of the standard features of a "smart" soldering iron, with lots of little extras and tweaks.  To get started with IronOS firmware, please jump to the official [Getting Started Guide](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS/blob/dev/Documentation/GettingStarted.md). But the [TL;DR](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/TL%3BDR) is to press the A button to heat up. Use the B button to enter the settings menu. Long hold the B button in soldering mode to exit back to the start screen. ## Menu System This new firmware uses a new menu system to allow access to the settings on the device. When on the main screen and having the unit plugged in, the device shows a pair of prompts for the two most common operations. - Pressing the A button enters the _soldering mode_ - Pressing the B button enters the _settings menu_ - When not in _soldering mode_, holding down the A button will enter _soldering temperature adjust mode_ (This is the same as the one in the _soldering mode_, but allows to adjust the temperature before heating up), in _soldering mode_ however this will activate _boost mode_ as long as you hold down the button. - Holding down the B button will show the _[debug menu](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS/blob/dev/Documentation/DebugMenu.md)._ In _soldering mode_ this ends the heating. Operation details are over in the [Menu information.](https://github.com/Ralim/IronOS/blob/dev/Documentation/Menu.md) ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/112/328/medium800/hacks_photo_1-mhp30.jpg?1654871577) ## Wrap-up Besides providing control and menus for your hot plate, if you have compatible soldering gear, it provides a common user experience for all of your soldering devices! ## Featured Products ### Mini Hot Plate Preheater with USB C Power Supply [Mini Hot Plate Preheater with USB C Power Supply](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4948) What is this, a camping burner for ants?? Of course not, ants prefer the comfort of B&Bs... From the makers of the luxurious [Motion Control Screwdriver](http://www.adafruit.com/product/3856), the streamlined [USB C...](http://www.adafruit.com/product/4244) In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4948) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4948/guides) ## Related Guides - [ Understanding microSD and SD cards: speeds, markings and more](https://learn.adafruit.com/understanding-microsd-and-sd-cards-speeds-markings-and-more.md) - [Adafruit CP2104 and CP2102N Friend - USB to Serial Converter](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-cp2102n-cp2104-friend-usb-to-serial-converter.md) - [Adafruit DPS310 Precision Barometric Pressure and Altitude Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-dps310-precision-barometric-pressure-sensor.md) - [USB C CC Resistor Fixer Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/resistor-fixer-case.md) - [micro:bit Lesson 2. 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