Problem with programming the PIC16F688 for Renard 64 board, using Velleman.

[JamesElliot]

Hi everyone.

I'm trying to program the PIC16F688 for my first Renard 64 Board, using the "Velleman PIC Programmer"


http://jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=XC4402&keywords=xc-4402&form=KEYWORD

Has anyone had problems with this PIC Programmer? Using the software provided, It say's it loaded the HEX correctly, however I don't think it is.
Any ideas?

[ctmal]

I hope I'm not reading that right...$139? That is about double the price of a pickit.

Anyway...are you getting any error messages? You might also want to try using picpgm (http://members.aon.at/electronics/pic/picpgm/) instead. I've had pretty good luck with that.

[P. Short]

Why don't you think that it is programming the part correctly?

If you are using the Start Address firmware, bear in mind that it needs to program the eeprom part of the PIC as well as the executable code portion of the part.

[JamesElliot]

I am borrowing it from the father in-law (currently on a permanent loan)

Phil, what do you mean by

Bear in mind that it needs to program the eeprom part of the PIC as well as the executable code portion of the part.
I just followed the how to's on loading the "Regular firmware (http://www.doityourselfchristmas.com/wiki/index.php?title=Renard_Firmware)"
and had a look at the videos (http://doityourselfchristmas.com/forums/showthread.php?490-PIC-programming-using-MPLAB-software&p=3346#post3346) from Wayne J


Let's say I have loaded the firmware on to all 8 PIC16F688's and turn it on, the first led of each of the 8 leds is about 50% on.
I also don't get a response when running Vixen, (I know I'm getting an output from the pc as I have had the oscilloscope on it and am getting a wave form.

So the only thing I can think of is the firmware is not loading correctly! However I don't get any warnings when loading the pic's.

I'll give the "picpgm" a go!

[JamesElliot]

I have had some luck... I used the winpic software and have managed to load the "Diagnostic Firmware" to the chip.
As this worked I did the some process to load the "Regular firmware" to all 8 chips, This looked as if it worked.

I connected it to the PC and ran Vixen, and got absolutely nothing...

Do I need to put drivers anywhere, load something else or just hope for dumb luck?

One final question, if one pic is faulty would the remanding chips work?

[boyelroy11]

.....

[JamesElliot]

Ok.. After many late hours trying to use the Velleman with different programming software, I came to the final conclusion that
"The Velleman PIC Programmer will never program a pic 16f688... EVER!"

So I went and built my own "Multi PIC Programmer"

I would suggest the Multi-PIC programmer by Feng (http://feng3.cool.ne.jp/en/pg5v2.html). This programmer is also based upon JDM design, and also has ZIF socket to accept a number of different sized PIC microccontrollers, but most of all "IT WORKS!".

I now have a happy bunch of programed PIC16F688 working like a dream.

[kychristmas]

That's great. Any idea on what it cost you to build it?


Ok.. After many late hours trying to use the Velleman with different programming software, I came to the final conclusion that
"The Velleman PIC Programmer will never program a pic 16f688... EVER!"

So I went and built my own "Multi PIC Programmer"

I would suggest the Multi-PIC programmer by Feng (http://feng3.cool.ne.jp/en/pg5v2.html). This programmer is also based upon JDM design, and also has ZIF socket to accept a number of different sized PIC microccontrollers, but most of all "IT WORKS!".

I now have a happy bunch of programed PIC16F688 working like a dream.

[budude]

That's great. Any idea on what it cost you to build it?

Interesting little programmer there. If this is focused mainly on the 16F688 type PICs so that you can toss out the ZIF socket ($15 alone on Mouser...) the parts add up to $4.03... Add in a $3-4 PCB and we have a basic programmer for <$10... Any interest in something like this? Might make for a good backup and/or a cheap way for folks to always have a programmer. I'm a strong believer in having a true Microchip PICkit around - but this might be good to have around. You would need a serial port available as this won't be USB based...

[JamesElliot]

Hi all,

Yes I redesigned it to mainly take the Pic16F688, but it will take any 14 pin or 8 pin.
I had most of the parts so it only cost a few Dollars, but if you had to get all the bits, I would imagine the cost would be around $10.


Your correct Brian, this only works on a serial port, I don't think it would take much to turn it into USB.
Still not bad for a few dollars and a couple of hours to put it together.

Here are some images.
Like I said It took me a couple of hours to put this together so it isn't pretty!
120711207212070