PIC12F683 pin GP3 as output

[Sherbrook]

Try setting GP3 to input as setting to output turns off weak pull-ups

[louislouis]

GP3 is setupable only as input.

[Ioannis]

OK, then this would only work if one could change the MCLR bit in config word, address 2007h.

But this can only be accessed in Programming the chip...

Interesting one!

Ioannis

[Dave]

GP.3 is only configurable as an added input pin when nor being used as the RESET pin. NO output configuration is possible.

[louislouis]

yes, if I configure the MCLR bit in config word to "1" then the LED is ON because the transistor is open via internal pull-up. If I configute the MCLR bit to "0" then internal pull-up is disabled and the transistor is closed because the 1M resistor is pull the base to ground.
That's work, but how to do that in program I don't know. However, it must work somehow, because in PICAXE environment it works.

[richard]

how sure are you that a picaxe 8m2 is a 12f683

this makes me doubtful a 12f683 pegs out at 20mhz

[louislouis]

how sure are you that a picaxe 8m2 is a 12f683

this makes me doubtful a 12f683 pegs out at 20mhz

That's a good question, PICAXE webpage shows this:
http://www.picaxe.com/What-is-PICAXE/Superseded-Parts/
But after better research, I think all my 08M2 devices are PIC12F1840 and thats makes more sens.
http://www.picaxe.com/What-is-PICAXE...E-Chip-Labels/
After look in to the datasheet, on this chip is possible to control the pullups via special function register WPUA. This chip allows to separately control each WPU's include the pullup on pin GP3.
In this case is possible with this trick use the GP3 as digital output.

I have an idea, the picaxe has a built in security option, when someone try to read the firmware, the bootloader is "self erasing" and the chip is no more work as picaxe, but still works like an ordinary PIC.
Tomorrow I try read it, and I will after that know what kind PIC is it.

[louislouis]

Hello,
finally success. I grab one of my PICAXE 08M2, read it with pickit programmer (destroy the bootloader) and yes, it is a PIC12F1840 not a 12F683 which is a previous version of PICAXE 08M (Richard has good suggestion).

OK, back to my question if it is possible to use the GP3 (MCLR) pin as digital output on this 12F1840 yes, it is!
This method is suitable to switch simple devices like relays, LEDs, etc. The state is only 1 or 0 (on/off).
All done with enabling or disabling the GP3 pin internal pull-up resistor. The circuit is the same as in my previous post, and the example code for PIC12F1840 LED blinking on GP3 is like:

;PIC 12F1840
#CONFIG
  __config _CONFIG1, _FOSC_INTOSC & _WDTE_OFF & _PWRTE_ON & _MCLRE_OFF & _CP_OFF & _CPD_OFF & _BOREN_ON & _CLKOUTEN_OFF & _IESO_ON & _FCMEN_ON
  __config _CONFIG2, _WRT_OFF & _PLLEN_ON & _STVREN_ON & _BORV_19 & _LVP_OFF
#ENDCONFIG

DEFINE OSC 32    ; Use internal clock 
OSCCON = %01110000
CLKRCON = 0

TRISA = %000000
ANSELA = 0  
OPTION_REG.7=0  ; Enable internal pull-ups

strt:
wpua=%001000
PAUSE 500
wpua=%000000
PAUSE 500
goto strt

The LED is on when pull-up is set ON, and the LED is OFF when the pull-up is set to OFF, that simple it is.

I think, this method is usable for all PIC devices which allows to individual pull-up switching on MCLR pin.