USB PIC Micro Chip Programmer

[stempile]

This subject has been reviewed in the forum here:
http://www.christmasinshirley.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=369&highlight=pickit2

The most recommend USB programmer was the PicKit2.

http://www.microchip.com/stellent/groups/devtools_sg/documents/devtools/%7Eexport/en023805%7E51%7Een006096%7EPressReleaseLayout/57755-2.png

I have it and like it. Its easy to build chip carrier boards to hold most of the Microchip PIC line.

The Starter kit is about $50 and comes with a demo board that can be used to program 8/14/20 pin PIC Chips. You can get the the USB programmer outside of the Starter kit for about $34.


ms

[1-4-me-2]

Has anyone successfully used this to program a PIC18F4525?

[Macrosill]

I have just researched pic programmers and have asked some of the most pic savy members of this forum for help. They have all been patient with my ignorant questions and based on their suggestions I have decided to make the following purchases.

PICKit2 programmer, PG164120 this is only the programmer , software and some cables. This can be purchased from many places for about 35.00 dollars, including Mouser.

Then I purchased a "cradle" for the chips to sit in to program them. I bought this off of Ebay from Jeffs Store (http://stores.ebay.com/Jeffs-Store). He lists the item as "PIC kit 2 ICD2 COMPATIBLE PROGRAMMER EXTENSION PICkit 2"

I do not yet have them in hand or ever used a pic programmer but this is based of f the recommendations of our members.

[Dan Ross]

I'm not sure if this belongs here or in the REN-C thread, but for those testing the REN-C is anyone using the PICkit 2 to program the chip and are you programming thru JP6 with out problems. I ask because I want to get a few of those when they become available and I'm not sure if I should get just the programmer or if I should get the add on cradle like brian got. Thanks.

[Dan Ross]

Has anyone used this programmer?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=300151513607&ssPageName=MERC_VIC_RSCC_Pr4_PcY_BIN_Stores_IT&refitem=300133843240&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&usedrule1=StoreCatToStoreCat&refwidgettype=cross_promot_widget

[LRNeener]

Dan

Yes i have programmed 2 Ren-C's using the JP6 jumper without problems. I used the PicKit 2 that Macrosill talked about.

Camron

[jmelvin]

Dan I have that same programmer, and yes it worked for my ren-c. It was also only 16.00 when I purchased it.

[Dan Ross]

Dan I have that same programmer, and yes it worked for my ren-c. It was also only 16.00 when I purchased it.

Have you used the jumper to program the PIC in circuit or do you pop the PIC in the programmer when you need to program it.

[jmelvin]

I'm not sure I am following you correctly. I used the JDM to program the pic. Are saying use the REN-C to program the pic?

[P. Short]

You can program the PIC on the Ren_C without removing it from the board. What you do is plug the PicKit1 or PicKit2 programmer into JP6. In this case it is best to remove power from the Ren-C board before doing this, just to make sure that there aren't any ground loop problems.

--

Phil

[Dan Ross]

You can program the PIC on the Ren_C without removing it from the board. What you do is plug the PicKit1 or PicKit2 programmer into JP6. In this case it is best to remove power from the Ren-C board before doing this, just to make sure that there aren't any ground loop problems.

--

Phil

The JDM also has the ICSP port. I ordered mine yesterday, I should have it in a few days. I did find the $16 one. Now all I need is a few REN-C's and I'll be good to go.

[sandy]

I've found a PICStart Plus programmer and kit.
It appears this needs an upgrade to do the PICs used here.
It is part number 10-00157 R4.
According to MicroChip, I need a $30 upgrade module to use this on more current chips.
Is it better (in your opinion) to do the upgrade or just buy new from JDM etc?

[deplanche]

I have just researched pic programmers and have asked some of the most pic savy members of this forum for help. They have all been patient with my ignorant questions and based on their suggestions I have decided to make the following purchases.

PICKit2 programmer, PG164120 this is only the programmer , software and some cables. This can be purchased from many places for about 35.00 dollars, including Mouser.

Then I purchased a "cradle" for the chips to sit in to program them. I bought this off of Ebay from Jeffs Store (http://stores.ebay.com/Jeffs-Store). He lists the item as "PIC kit 2 ICD2 COMPATIBLE PROGRAMMER EXTENSION PICkit 2"

I do not yet have them in hand or ever used a pic programmer but this is based of f the recommendations of our members.

Have you had a chance to use these yet, and if so, how'd it go?

I am thinking of asking Santa to get me the PICKit2 programmer and the ebay extension you mentioned too. Is there any benefit to gettint he smaller extension kit in the $50 starter kit from mouser, or would the extension from ebay make that unnecessary?

Also, so far, I have a Ren-C and RJ's DMX dongle design, that I would need to be able to program. I am thinking about a LEDtricks and some of JEC's pixels next year too. Will this program all of those?

P.S. Thanks for posting the store link on ebay Brian. Followed about 10 links to "Items no longer available" looking for the correct thing before I found this thread.

[Wayne J]

Have you had a chance to use these yet, and if so, how'd it go?

I am thinking of asking Santa to get me the PICKit2 programmer and the ebay extension you mentioned too. Is there any benefit to gettint he smaller extension kit in the $50 starter kit from mouser, or would the extension from ebay make that unnecessary?

Also, so far, I have a Ren-C and RJ's DMX dongle design, that I would need to be able to program. I am thinking about a LEDtricks and some of JEC's pixels next year too. Will this program all of those?

P.S. Thanks for posting the store link on ebay Brian. Followed about 10 links to "Items no longer available" looking for the correct thing before I found this thread.

OK, with all that you have listed there. You should get the 'cradle' . I would buy it direct though and not mess with Ebay.
http://www.sureelectronics.net/goods.php?id=22

One thing though, the LedTriks/ Trik-C combo you will need to buy a different programmer. :sad:

[deplanche]

Is there a single programmer that will work for all of them?

[Wayne J]

Is there a single programmer that will work for all of them?

Sorry, but no. It would be nice if there were. So, if you intend to use a Trik C, you must have another programmer. Unless someone comes up with a replacement board that uses Microchip PICs instead of Atmel.

[deplanche]

Well, since I don't have the LEDtricks yet, I'll just stick with the PICkit2. Is the one show on the site you posted for the cradle the same as the one that i would find on Mouser, or should I get from 2 different sources? Need want to be sure it is compatible and works with USB.

[Wayne J]

With what you listed in the first post, you will get them from two different sources. Get the PicKit2 from Mouser or Microchip. (the PicKit2 only, not the development kit) about $35 I think. Then the development board (cradle) from SureElectronics. Then you will be able to program all of the Microchip products we use here.

[deplanche]

Great, thanks.

[wvengineer]

yea I just ordered my pickit2 and cradle from SureElectronics, about how long does the shipping usually into the states i could have rolled my own programmer but for the prices of one already made its to hard to beat......

[Wayne J]

yea I just ordered my pickit2 and cradle from SureElectronics, about how long does the shipping usually into the states i could have rolled my own programmer but for the prices of one already made its to hard to beat......

Just remember, if you got the programmer from Sure Electronics, it is not a 'Microchip PicKit2', it is a clone. Not sure of the issues (if any) with them. So if any troubleshooting needs done, just be sure to mention it is the clone model. ;)

[wvengineer]

hopefully I wont run into any issues with the clone... well see when i get the pics ordered to test it.. i'll let you all know how the clone performed

[electr0n]

Sorry if this isn't the right thread but I have a general ICSP programming question. I have this programmer

http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Microchip-PIC-Programmer-Ship-from-USA_W0QQitemZ310084602282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item3 10084602282&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

that has worked well for programming my Ren 24 PICS. I would like to try the ICSP programming for another project (specifically Pixels). Is it recommended that the target board not have power applied when using ICSP? Just curious what the standard procedure is - I don't want to fry anything.

[wvengineer]

Well the pickit2 clone arrived and I had a small issue at first
once I updated the firmware. reading and writing to the pics were ok...

works great have a pile of 688's set for 115kPWM waiting for boards...

cant wait to start testing...





Tim

[Penfold]

What is the difference between ICSP programming where you have to use a target board (Pickit 2) as apposed to the USB microchip http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Microchip-PI...d=p3286.c0.m14 (http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Microchip-PIC-Programmer-Ship-from-USA_W0QQitemZ310084602282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item3 10084602282&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C 240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14) that has a ZIF socket on board? Although the USB Microchip programmer from ebay has a breakout for the use of ICSP.

Do the advantages outwiegh the disadvantages?