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View Full Version : Which is most common PIC chip, after 16F628A?


CuriousOne
- 25th April 2020, 09:17
Hello.

I'm doing another instructable, this time, LED clock. I'm using PIC16F886, because code is not well optimized yet, so it takes about 6K of memory. I will slim it down, but I'm afraid it won't fit into most common 16F628A. Which is another popular chip, like 628A, but with more memory, 4K at least? Preferably, with internal oscillator, to reduce external part count.
mpgmike
- 25th April 2020, 17:12
May I suggest you look at the PIC18F2_46K22 family. It's new enough it sports many features and fairly generous memory, yet old enough that most versions of PBP can work with it.
CuriousOne
- 26th April 2020, 08:05
Sorry I was unclear.

The most common I meant - easiest to find and cheapest to buy.
I'm asking because when I built my nixie clock using PIC16F1519, many many people asked, whenever I can port code to PIC16F887, because it is much easier to buy than 1519.

P.S. I've slimmed down my code to 2106 bytes :D Maybe I'll fit it into 16F628A :)
Ioannis
- 26th April 2020, 11:46
Have a look at 16F1827. Same pin count, double memory but many more features and a new (relatively) chip which is less expensive too.

The 628a is ancient ... With 1827 new ideas will come to your mind exploiting the features of the chip like touch, many timers or the bat voltage check with NO extra input ADC!

Ioannis
CuriousOne
- 27th April 2020, 06:41
Yes I'm looking for ancient chip, but with more memory.

P.S. Another 40 bytes went away :D slimming down code even further.
Acetronics2
- 27th April 2020, 19:03
a look to 16F648 ???

nothing to change in the S/W ...

Alain
CuriousOne
- 28th April 2020, 04:44
Is it common? I mean, can 3rd world/developing countries users get it with ease?

p.s. I've kicked out alarm functionality and code now fits into 16F628A :)
Acetronics2
- 29th April 2020, 16:43
could that be what you mean ???

https://fr.aliexpress.com/popular/16f648a.html

A (https://fr.aliexpress.com/popular/16f648a.html)lain
Ioannis
- 29th April 2020, 17:10
I would not trust the chips sold by those sites. Most probably they are de-soldered from pcbs, tined and maybe remarked too so that they look brand new.

Ioannis
CuriousOne
- 29th April 2020, 22:35
Yeah they are desoldered chips. I have bought 16F886 from taobao. Pack of 10 costed about $7 maybe. There all were 2nd hand, some even had some firmware in it and fuses set :D But they all work just fine so far. I'm using them during prototyping or not important projects. Genuine ones I buy at digikey.com
Acetronics2
- 30th April 2020, 15:51
Is it common? I mean, can 3rd world/developing countries users get it with ease?

p.s. I've kicked out alarm functionality and code now fits into 16F628A :)

I just answer the question as it is asked ... :D

... for my own use, chips come from Conrad, Reichelt, RS, Farnell or other well known sellers ... :rolleyes:

Alain