Simple to build PIC programmer

[Noto]

Hi there I have done a lot of searching for this and there are so many topics and so many plans im confused.

I'm looking for a simple pic programmer that I can build from radioshack parts that can do PIC12xxxx chips.

Like I said I found lots of into on this but maybe too much for a newbie to make a descision about what I should get.

Actual plans and parts lists and maybe even a walkthrough would be very nice.

Thanks,
Noto

[chrisgood]

Please see this page for long answers to all your questions.

http://www.chrisgood.com/rcplanes/aerial_photos/pic_development/pic_development.html

Short answers:
--------------
HW programmer plans: http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpics.htm
- this will cost you about $10 in parts at Radio Shack

HW programmer already built for $12.95: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8

SW to use with HW programmer: http://www.ic-prog.com/

HEX Compiler: http://www.picbasic.org/proton_lite.php

Chris

[xorcise]

The PICFlash2 is one of the best. It'll program 99.9% of P12 thru P18 without a problem.
PICFlash2 Programmer (http://www.circuit-ed.com/picflash2.htm)

[Noto]

PICFlash2 Programmer This one is a bit more than I wanted to spend right now im just messing around trying to learn really.
As for the sparkfun looks like they are sold out.
Chris I sent you a PM as well.

[xtal]

I'm using the FENG 3 diy from india web site.... have had good luck with it :p

using winpic / ic-prg / and picpgm :rolleyes:

I like picpgm the best... its more reliable,,,but doesn't support as many pics
yet!!! :D

http://www.members.aon.at/electronics/pic/picpgm/index.html :p

[Malc C]

Short answers:
--------------
HW programmer plans: http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpics.htm
- this will cost you about $10 in parts at Radio Shack

Chris

Why go to all that hassle of making the PCB and then having to buy the parts when for around the same price you can get a comemrcial version of the JDM controller ready built

http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images/PG2C-1.jpg

details from Sparkfun http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=8

Supports loads of chips.

Edit: they are so popular they are out of stock at the moment !! - might be worth dropping them an e-mail to see when stock will be available

[chrisgood]

You mean the JDM programmer from Sparkfun that I have linked on the very next line in my reply? Hey - its the same link you have. :)

He already checked with Sparkfun - they don't have any word from their supplier when they will be getting them in.

[Noto]

Yea they have no idea when they are going to get it.

I'm impatient and like to tinker so building it will be part of the fun anyway.

[rick.benjamin]

From Ramsey Electronics
http://www.ramseyelectronics.com/cgi-bin/commerce.exe?preadd=action&key=PIC1

[Noto]

I built this on a bread board to test it.
http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpics.htm

I would like to test it but don't know how. I'm not even sure what way the chip is supposed to plug in.
I have some 12c508a chips that are already programmed.
I downloaded IC-prog. How would I go about clearing the chip and testing writing to it?


Thanks

[Malc C]

You mean the JDM programmer from Sparkfun that I have linked on the very next line in my reply? Hey - its the same link you have. :)

He already checked with Sparkfun - they don't have any word from their supplier when they will be getting them in.


That'll teach me not to check each link :rolleyes:

Another programmer is this one http://feng3.cool.ne.jp/en/pg5v2.html

I've built it and it works OK

[ElectroLawndart]

Try eBay. There's a ton of inexpensive programmers there. I bought an Atmel and a PIC programmer w/ZIF socket for less than the ZIF alone if I were to build it myself.

Dart

[Malc C]

I built this on a bread board to test it.
http://www.jdm.homepage.dk/newpics.htm

I would like to test it but don't know how. I'm not even sure what way the chip is supposed to plug in.
I have some 12c508a chips that are already programmed.
I downloaded IC-prog. How would I go about clearing the chip and testing writing to it?


Thanks

Looks like the rectangle in the middle is just an 18 pin DIL socket, and if you breadboard it with this in mind you should be able to connect up your breadboard to the RS232 serial port (pin numbers shown in the tags) and then use the software to squirt the HEX to what ever PIC you place in that socket

To test your PIC I always breadboard the circuit you are building and then insert the PIC after programming, unless I've opted to use ISCP connectors which allow you to program the PIC whilst remaining in the prototype

[Noto]

Looks like the rectangle in the middle is just an 18 pin DIL socket, and if you breadboard it with this in mind you should be able to connect up your breadboard to the RS232 serial port (pin numbers shown in the tags) and then use the software to squirt the HEX to what ever PIC you place in that socket

To test your PIC I always breadboard the circuit you are building and then insert the PIC after programming, unless I've opted to use ISCP connectors which allow you to program the PIC whilst remaining in the prototype


I have it hooked up to my serial port. I have the 12c508a in the plug with the little half moon kinda thing at the top taking up the first 8 pins. Using IC-prog I don't know what exactly to do to test if its working. I do a blank check and it says its not blank. I type in some stuff on the program code and try to program all and it acts like it does but says no oscillator callibration found use value from 0000h instead and no matter what I choose I get verify failed at 0000h. And when I try to readall it all comes up 00000000 in the code window. Something borked?

[Noto]

Acutally it does the same thing no matter if I choose the serial its plugged into or an open one so I guess I messed up somewhere.
I wanted to try and make this thing on my own but I don't know enough. I will just ebay one :rolleyes:

[Malc C]

If you are still experimenting you would be better off using Flash type PICs rather than one-time-program chips such as the 12C508a. Flash chips like the 12F675 allow you to erase and re-program around 1000 times or more, a OTP chip is just that ONCE only.

ICprog does require a driver to allow for communications between it and the hardware via the serial port, assuming you're running XP. Under XP there is no direct access to the ports on the PC, and I've attached it in the zip file. You will need to set the application up as per the image below.

Personally I prefer Winpic pro to program the PICs in my JDM programmer, as it simply polls the programmer to confirm the communications.

Other than that I can't help. I was going to comment that some RS232 ports can not produce the voltages required to put the PIC into programming mode (typically +13v).. but that web site claims that to work with low volatages from the port.

[meteor]

I have found ICProg to be very erratic and questionable... It is also very slow!

It simply refused to program a 16F876A I had, where WinPIC can program it 100% all the time with the same hardware!

I have found WinPIC to be far superior and works 100% with both my homemade TLVP and the SparkFun JDM programmers. (WinPIC is freeware...)


Just a FYI

[Noto]

I have found ICProg to be very erratic and questionable... It is also very slow!

It simply refused to program a 16F876A I had, where WinPIC can program it 100% all the time with the same hardware!

I have found WinPIC to be far superior and works 100% with both my homemade TLVP and the SparkFun JDM programmers. (WinPIC is freeware...)


Just a FYI


Thanks I did end up getting winpic it does seem to be a better program. Unfortunatly I still can't get it to work. I think It could be im trying to mess with protected chips that are one time write only that has been written to already. I am ordering some other chips and will test it out and let you guys know how it goes.