Very Simple ICSP Programmer

[Squibcakes]

If you read through the posts - you wil see that it doesn't work with chips ending with A. eg its ok with 16F628 but not 16F628A.

You will need an external 5v supply (you migh be able to use 5v from USB port?)

[nomad]

Honestly, don't waste your time messing with the JDM style programmers. pickit2?'s are very cheap, there's even clones that also work quite well. After all the trial and error, adding parts (max232?), frying pics etc you'll have spent far more time and money than if you just got a decent programmer. I'm saying this from experience. I still do have a JDM style programmer, but the time I wasted getting it to work was just ridiculous. And out of 3 systems here it only works on 1. the other serial ports wont generate correct voltages.

[Angus Anderson]

Hi Nomad. I think you are missing the point
Squibcakes programmer is Free - oh sorry, you have to buy 3 resistors. I like free, especially if it works

I have stopped using any other programmers - this programmer works just fine on all the 16F and 18F PICS I use for my projects - and I have never blown up a PIC yet. I just install an ICSP plug on the project board and have a DB9 to ICSP header plug. s mentioned, use a regular PC Com port, not a USB to serial cable.

For 16F, I use WINPIC800 software, and for 18F I use ICProg, both set to JDM mode

[joe17301]

Hi Nomad. I think you are missing the point
Squibcakes programmer is Free - oh sorry, you have to buy 3 resistors. I like free, especially if it works

I have stopped using any other programmers - this programmer works just fine on all the 16F and 18F PICS I use for my projects - and I have never blown up a PIC yet. I just install an ICSP plug on the project board and have a DB9 to ICSP header plug. s mentioned, use a regular PC Com port, not a USB to serial cable.

For 16F, I use WINPIC800 software, and for 18F I use ICProg, both set to JDM mode

I totally agree. I used this simple programmer to program an 18F2550, which I then used to make the GTP USB Lite. I programmed the 16F84A, 16F88 and 18F2550 multiple times with no problems, but only on my desktop machine. I used a ribbon cable and header myself to achieve ICSP but the point is it works great and it's free. Used WINPIC800 for the 18F2550 and it worked fine.

[shibly]

Hi jow17301. I am new here. I want to use that very simple cheap (3 register) programmer. With this I want program 18f2550. Do I need to supply +5v?

[mister_e]

Yes indeed! This programmer may works well on Win98 or some XP installation, but I doubt it will ever work on Vista or Win7.

If you're using a USb to Serial adapter, then high likely you'll be out of luck even with XP.

Good luck tough...

[mackrackit]

If time is money then you will be much cheaper finding a PICKIT2.
Not to mention the headache ....

[joe17301]

Hi jow17301. I am new here. I want to use that very simple cheap (3 register) programmer. With this I want program 18f2550. Do I need to supply +5v?

Hi there. Yes, you need to supply 5v. I think I did it with a battery and a 5v regulator (the 7805 if I recall correctly). I programmed the pic18F2550 with it. I needed the 18f2550 for the gtp USB lite programmer but as the guys say, the driver only works in windows XP. it doesn't work in vista or windows 7.

Good luck with your project!