Sourcing parts for the NG^2

[serendpt]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to try and build Alessio and Andrea's RC Joystick NG^2 as my first electronics project. Not having any prior experience with electronics, I'm finding the hunt for parts a bit daunting, as there appear to be many options for similar named parts. Searching through the Farnell catalogue, I've picked out what I think are the right parts, but would greatly appreciate if you guys could help confirm that I'm on the right track. The parts I selected are as follows:-

X1: 4 MHz crystal (for example HC49/S) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=2099779)

IC1: PIC18F2455-I/SP or PIC18F2550-I/SP (28-Lead PDIP) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=9321250)

Blue LED (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1363932)

C1: 220 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1138846)

R1: 22 kΩ resistor (¼ W, 5%) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1265081)

T1: BC107 transistor or equivalent (TO18) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=9206752)

R2: 220 Ω resistor (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1265068)

C1: 220 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1166010)

C2: 100 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1166048)

I know all this might seem pretty basic to everyone else, y'all have to forgive me for being extra cautious the first time around :)

[Malc C]

You might find maplins cheaper as the delivery charge and minimum order charge Farnell impose might work out expensive. I've attched a parts list for the controller that we developed (see sticky post above), which hopefuly can be used as a guide to the parts (most are the same apart from the Xtal and PIC)

Hope it helps

[BushmanLA]

Hi everyone,

I've decided to try and build Alessio and Andrea's RC Joystick NG^2 as my first electronics project. Not having any prior experience with electronics, I'm finding the hunt for parts a bit daunting, as there appear to be many options for similar named parts. Searching through the Farnell catalogue, I've picked out what I think are the right parts, but would greatly appreciate if you guys could help confirm that I'm on the right track. The parts I selected are as follows:-

X1: 4 MHz crystal (for example HC49/S) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=2099779)

IC1: PIC18F2455-I/SP or PIC18F2550-I/SP (28-Lead PDIP) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=9321250)

Blue LED (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1363932)

C1: 220 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1138846)

R1: 22 kΩ resistor (¼ W, 5%) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1265081)

T1: BC107 transistor or equivalent (TO18) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=9206752)

R2: 220 Ω resistor (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1265068)

C1: 220 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1166010)

C2: 100 nF capacitor (polyester, grid 5mm) (http://my.farnell.com/jsp/search/productdetail.jsp?sku=1166048)

I know all this might seem pretty basic to everyone else, y'all have to forgive me for being extra cautious the first time around :)


Do you have a programmer for the PIC already? I can recommend some good cheap ones if you don't.

[serendpt]

Thanks Malc C, that was a great help! As far as I know, we don't have a Maplins here in Malaysia, but we do have Farnell and RS, so your part numbers for the RS catalogue was spot on!

You might find maplins cheaper as the delivery charge and minimum order charge Farnell impose might work out expensive. I've attched a parts list for the controller that we developed (see sticky post above), which hopefuly can be used as a guide to the parts (most are the same apart from the Xtal and PIC)

Hope it helps

[serendpt]

Hi Bushman!

Thanks for the offer. I don't have a programmer yet, torn between buying a commercial one and building the "Multi PIC Programmer 5V2." Which ones where you thinking of recommending, and where can I get them from?

Do you have a programmer for the PIC already? I can recommend some good cheap ones if you don't.

[Malc C]

I'm sure maplin do mail order, but glad that RS parts helped - Oh and I've built one of the Multi pic 5v2 programmers and they work well, just make sure it supports the 18F series PICs

[serendpt]

Good point! I see from his site that he's managed to use it with the below PICs so I'm hoping it will work with the 18F2550. If not, do you have any other suggestions?

Sucessfully programmed PICs: PIC12F629, PIC12F675, PIC16F627, PIC16F628, PIC16F630, PIC16F676, PIC16F818, PIC16F819, PIC16F84A, PIC16F873, PIC16F877A, PIC18F2320, PIC18F452


I'm sure maplin do mail order, but glad that RS parts helped - Oh and I've built one of the Multi pic 5v2 programmers and they work well, just make sure it supports the 18F series PICs

[Malc C]

I've also used a similar version of the GTP-USB-Lite Programmer shown here (http://ali3nworld.blogspot.com/)
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/5311/2301/200/DSCF4560%20%28Large%29.jpg

The only downside is that you need a pic programmer to program the 18F2550 so its a bit like catch 22 !

The other option, and at $13 probably cheaper then building your own programmer is the PG-2C programmer from SparkFun
http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/images/PG2C-1.jpg

It is based on the classic JDM programmer and works well with any of the freeware programs like PicPGM, WinPIC etc

However a lot of people recommend the Microchip PicKit2 (full details here (http://www.microchip.com/stellent/idcplg?IdcService=SS_GET_PAGE&nodeId=1406&dDocName=en023805)
http://www.microchip.com/stellent/groups/devtools_sg/documents/devtools/%7Eexport/en023805%7E62%7Een006096%7EPressReleaseLayout/74526-2.png

As you can see there are lots of options if you wanted to get into this hobby. The alternative if this is a one off, is to ask Allessio if he could supply you with a pre-programmed PIC

[serendpt]

Thanks for the suggestions. I see SparkFun have a local distributor, I shall give them a call tomorrow and see if they carry stock for the PG-2C. Having done a more extensive search, I agree there are plenty of options when it comes to choice of programmer. I was under the impression that it was a choice between home made or very expensive commercial products. Even the Microchip PicKit2 is reasonably priced from Farnell.

Decisions, decisions!

But yes, I do intend to delve into this hobby a little deeper. I've always had the interest but never the time or the funds, now that I have a bit of those rare commodities, I'm giving it a go. I decided on a USB RC joystick interface as I find I learn a lot faster and am a lot more motivated to work at the project if it's something I'm interested in. Getting some LEDs to blink just didn't seem to have the draw to get me going :)

[rmteo]

As recommended by Malc, go with the PicKIT 2 programmer. At $35, it will program virtually any PIC (10F, 12F, 16F, 18F, 24F/H, dsPIC30/33) available. Full support is available from MicroCHIP as well.