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PIC programmer

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2008-01-27
2013-05-30
  • Nobody/Anonymous

    So i have my PICs (several variety from a 12f 629,675,683 to a 16f 627A,777,877A and 16LF84A)
    I have the programing software (GCBASIC of course)

    Now i need a Programmer, so i guess my question is

    Whats a good programmer to start with (that will hopefully program all/most of my chips)
    I don't have a lot to spend, so im guessing im gonna have to build my own (hopefully not too complicated)
    If need be i can spend ~$45-50 on a programmer or parts for one, but the less i spend on the programmer the more i have to spend on my projects

    anyways, im rambling.
    If you guys/gals can help id surely appreciate it.

     
    • Jonny!!!

      Jonny!!! - 2008-01-28

      I use a PicKit 2 from microchip. costed me about 50 bucks (thats with out shipping) It handles up to a 20 pin IC.

       
      • Nobody/Anonymous

        check this one:

        http://josepino.com/pic_projects/index?pic_programmer.jpc

        JDM compatible, work for almost all pics that you did mention.

         
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      I've been looking at the PicKit2, but it only offers ICSP (no clue how to impliment)
      thats why id like one that has a zif socket (doesn't need ICSP but it's a bonus for when i do know how)

       
    • Jonny!!!

      Jonny!!! - 2008-01-28

      it connects through a USB cable, that uses a program called PicKit2 (same name) that is used to transfer the hex file from your PC to the PIC. I'm not sure how ICSP plays in the grand scheme of things though.

       
    • Hugh Considine

      Hugh Considine - 2008-01-29

      I use a JDM programmer, nice simple design and cheap to build. It requires a serial port and apparently doesn't work on all PCs, but I've not had any trouble myself.

      ICSP stands for In-Circuit Serial Programming, which basically means you connect the Vcc, Ground, MCLR, PGD and PGC lines from the programmer to the appropriate pins on the PIC without having to remove the PIC from the circuit it is in. If the PIC isn't in a circuit, you can just use a breadboard.

       
      • Retlif Wen

        Retlif Wen - 2008-03-03

        I am currently buidling a PIC programmer from this website. (Google PICpgm). I am also created a board design and uploaded it onto Eagle CADSoft (upload/project) website. I am waiting for their approval before they release to be downloaded. (should take another day or 2).

        The parts cost less than 30USD but you would need to do some soldering and PCB fabrication. (Great for DIYist liek me)

         
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      Can you suggest a good JDM schematic (or a site that sells a good one in either kit form, or fully assembled)?

       
    • shiveni

      shiveni - 2008-01-29

      Hi,

      Please visit my web page dlmkerode.tripod.com for DIY PICKIT2.

      Now I am using PICKIT2/GCBASIC on the move with my laptop and breadborad for PIC programming.

      shiveni
      dlmkerode.tripod.com

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      The problem I see with your pickit is the fact id need to build a programmer to build a programmer.

      Id much rather have a regular ole serial programmer. Well documented and proven bullet-proof (or at least me proof)

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      What about one of these: http://www.virtualvillage.com/Items/006401-006?
      Picture and more information here: http://www.nbglin.com/usba.htm

      I own one and as far as I can tell it works.

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      http://cgi.ebay.com/JDM-PIC-Programmer-PCB-ICSP-Microchip-atmel-usb-icd2_W0QQitemZ290181133714QQihZ019QQcategoryZ4661QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

      This is the one I bought. The board is good quality, haven't tried it. It's a JDM version.

      REgards

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      hi,
      I still strongly suggest to go for DIY PICKIT2.
      for building PICKIT to new need not spend much time to program PIC18F2550. Just a parallel port connector,4 to 6 IN4148 diodes and a PIC18F2550. Just read the full story in my web site.

      One most important thing is just built one time and the complete hardware is fully support by MICROCHIP IDE with auto firmware upgarde support.

      Shiveni
      dlmkerode.tripod.com

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      How can I'am use the WISP-648 with GCBIDE-141.exe.

      To use the programmer WISP 648 with GCBASIC i'am did change the Download.bat and its works. But I like to use it , without to dragging  the file.hex into download.bat

      The Download.bat looks like this bath below.
      --------------------------------------------------------------
      Xcopy %1 c:\XWisp2\  >null

      ECHO to The Wisp628 programmer (C) Wouter van Ooijen. Voti.nl

      cd \xwisp2

      xwisp2w go %1
      --------------------------------------------------------------

       
    • Nobody/Anonymous

      I use the PICkit 2 programmer from Microchip. I made a ribbon cable with pins on both sides to connect the programmer to a SK10 socket (bread board). Now I am not limited to the experiment board that came with the programmer. Only 5 of the 6 pins from the ICSP connecter is needed. You connect the pins as follows to the PIC chip:
      1 = VPP/MCLR
      2 = VDD
      3 = VSS (ground)
      4 = ICSPDAT/PGD
      5 = ICSPCLK/PGC
      6 = Auxiliary
      Check the PIC data sheet for pin assignment. I use GCBASIC and Crimson Editor as IDE.
      The PICkit 2 software can monitor the compiled.hex file and automatically download the file to the PIC chip every time it is changed by GCBASIC. So every time you press F9 in Crimson Editor, every thing can happen automatically to generate the .asm and .hex file and programming the PIC chip.
      Regards    
      Isak Hendrikse from South Africa

       
    • Q Thurtle

      Q Thurtle - 2008-07-16

      I've just started out with PICs. Have had great success with a cheap programmer from www.coolcomponents.co.uk (PG2 PIC Programmer at £7.40). A tiny board (no ZIF, but I have had no problems with dozens of insertions so far). The serial port on my laptop programmed fine, but the 'programming' LED on the board did not light so I switched to a desktop, made up a 1.5m serial lead and everyting is great - the board sits a few cm from my prototyping board.

      After a while (and dozens of poor programs) I got fed up with moving the chip from programmer to prototyping board and bought a molex 6-way connector (a 'right-angled' version so I could unbend the PCB pins whcih would be long enough to plug into my prototyping board - the pins are really too big, but they do fit). I connected up the five leads (see previous post) and have been using the in circuit programming system with few problems.

      One tip - the voltage arrangements mean that I have to pull out my bench power supply leads before I plug in the molex serial programming plug. There was a conflict of earths between the power supply and the programmer.

      Nothing but praise for the GCBASIC - Crimson Editor - IC-Prog setup. All works perfectly - soooooo easy. Many thanks to all concerned.

      Best wishes - Q

       

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