Accessing Debug Menu
From the standby/idle screen:- Long hold the
-/Bbutton (rear button) - Press
+/Ato scroll through debug screens - Press
-/Bagain to exit
The debug menu has no fancy GUI animations - it’s designed to be simple and informative.
Firmware Version
Displayed on every debug screen at the top. Format:vX.YYN.[ZZZZZZZZ]
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| X | Major version |
| Y | Minor version (two digits) |
| N | Build type (see table below) |
| Z | Short commit ID (8 characters, git builds only) |
Build Type Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| R | Git release tag vXX.YY |
| T | Git release tag (non-standard version) |
| D | Git dev branch |
| B | Git custom branch |
| E | Git detached commit |
| G | Other git-related build |
| C | GitHub CI pull request build |
| H | Non-git build (tarball or homebrew) |
| S | Special configuration |
| V | Very special configuration |
Examples
v2.22H- Release 2.22 built locally from tarballv2.22D.1A2B3C4D- Development version 2.22 from dev branch, commit 1A2B3C4Dv2.22R.5E6F7G8H- Official release 2.22 tagged as v2.22, commit 5E6F7G8H
Debug Information Screens
Scroll through these with the+/A button.
Timestamp
Firmware compilation date and time. Format:YYYYMMDD HHMMSS
Example: 20230701 213456 = July 1st, 2023 at 9:34:56 PM
ID
Device identification and serial number.- Pinecil V1: All show same ID (MCU model number)
- Pinecil V2: Unique ID per device (verify authenticity at pinecil.pine64.org)
- Used for checking if iron is authentic
ACC
Accelerometer model detected. Possible values:- MMA8652
- LIS2DH12
- BMA223
- MSA301
- SC7A20
- None - Running without movement detection
- Scanning - Still searching I2C bus
PWR
Current power source. May change during boot as sources are negotiated.| Display | Description |
|---|---|
| DC | DC input (direct/dumb power) |
| QC | Quick Charge 2/3 negotiation |
| PD W. VBus | USB-PD with VBus connected |
| PD No VBus | USB-PD without VBus connected |
PD No VBus on Pinecil V1 indicates late model or successful VBus trace mod (allows 24V DC barrel safely).
Vin
Input voltage from internal ADC. Use this to verify voltage reading accuracy.Tip C
Current tip temperature in °C. Compare with RTip for temperature processing performance.Han C
Handle/Cold Junction Compensation (CJC) temperature in °C. Normal range: 20-40°C (depends on room temperature and power-on duration)Max C
Maximum temperature (°C) the system estimates it can reliably measure. Dependent on handle temperature and other factors. Increases during use as device warms up.UpTime
Time since device powered on. Units: Deciseconds (ds) Example: 600 ds = 1 minuteMove
Timestamp of last detected movement. Should update to match UpTime when device is moved. Used to verify movement detection.Tip Res
Tip resistance currently in use.- Pinecil V2: Auto-detected at boot
- Tip must be installed before boot for accurate reading
Tip R
Raw tip reading in μV. Normal ranges (when cool):- Large tips: 700-1000 μV
- TS80 small tips: ~1500 μV
Tip must be installed or reading will be high/inaccurate.
Tip O
Offset from Cold Junction Compensation calibration. Typical values: 700-1000 range View this after running CJC calibration to verify results.HW G
High-water mark for GUI thread stack. Shows minimum available stack headroom.HW M
High-water mark for movement detection thread stack.HW P
High-water mark for PID thread stack.Smaller numbers = less headroom. These values help developers ensure thread safety.
Hall
Magnetic field strength from hall effect sensor (Pinecil only). Uses:- Verify sensor is operational
- Optimize magnet placement on stand
- Higher number = stronger field
PD Debug Menu
Special menu for inspecting USB-PD power adapters (Pinecil only).Accessing PD Debug Menu
- Long hold the front button (
+) while booting device - Press
+to cycle through PD information screens - Press
-or unplug to exit
Only works with USB-PD power sources. QC and DC sources show “PD State 6” (waiting for source).
Information Displayed
First screen: PD negotiation stage number State 12 = Successful negotiation Subsequent screens: PD proposals for voltage and current offered by the power supplyVBus Status Check
Purpose: Determine if Pinecil V1 needs the 24V DC barrel modification.- Enter PD Debug menu
- Wait for negotiation (state > 5)
- Check display:
[PD No VBus]- Late model V1, no mod needed, 24V safe[VBus]- Early model V1, mod required for 24V safety
Pinecil V1 VBus Modification
Background: Early Pinecil V1 models have VBus connected, limiting DC barrel to 21V. Cutting a PCB trace allows safe 24V operation. Process:- Use PD Debug menu to verify
[VBus]is displayed - Follow instructions in February 2022 PINE64 Update
- Carefully cut the specified trace
- Use alcohol to clean copper dust from gap
- Re-check PD Debug menu for
[PD No VBus] - Only use 24V on DC barrel after confirming
[PD No VBus]
[No Vbus] already present, no modification needed.
Pinecil V2: Released August 2022 with completely redesigned PCB. All components support 28V. No modifications needed for 24V DC barrel.
Diagnostic Use Cases
Temperature Issues
- Check Tip C and Han C for reasonable values
- Compare Tip C with set temperature
- Check Tip O offset value (typical: 700-1000)
- Verify Tip R is in normal range
Power Issues
- Check PWR displays correct source
- Verify Vin matches actual input voltage
- Use PD Debug menu to check negotiation state
Movement Detection Issues
- Check ACC shows sensor type (not “None”)
- Watch Move timestamp update when device is moved
- Verify Hall reading changes with magnet (Pinecil)
Calibration Verification
- Run CJC calibration
- Check Tip O for new offset value
- Monitor Tip C for improved accuracy