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Cheap PIC Programmer

Cheap PIC Programmer
This programmer works only with PIC16F84 but it's great because it never causes errors and works with almost all computers,unlike some other homemade programmers.
 
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Step 1Step one : Materials

For this programmer you won't need many materials.In fact , you will find all you need in your local electronics shop ;)

So here's what materials you will need:
-IC Board
-RS232(Serial) FEMALE connector
-BC547B or 2N3904 (I couldn't find the BC so i used 2N3904,it works great)
-5.1 V diode
-100 uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor
-18 PIN IC Socket
-10Kohm resistor
-15Kohm resistor

OPTIONAL[
-Flashing red LED / 2.1 V Standard Red LED
-3.3Kohm Resistor]

-PIC16F84A Microcontroller

Tools:
-Soldering Iron
-Scissors or any other cuting tool

OPTIONAL[
-Hot glue gun]



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64 comments
1-40 of 64next »
May 5, 2012. 4:38 PMSuraj Grewal says:
I tested on pic 16f84a
May 5, 2012. 4:38 PMSuraj Grewal says:
This is working,working smoothly without any problems it programms very fast,efficiently,and without any errors.
Dec 27, 2011. 8:35 PMSDJ012 says:
is this really working? thanks
Nov 14, 2011. 6:34 PMmujtaba ali says:
hey,
plz tell me that using of this programer, can we programe to PIC16F628 PIC16F877 & PIC16F876.......?

Thanks...
Jul 8, 2011. 2:25 AMdhamidovic says:
please, can anyone say is this correct what 'eng3mda' said..
should I put resistor value-330 ohm or 3.3k ohm ????
Jun 23, 2011. 7:20 AMyours31f says:
I got everything from ebay for $13.12 total. Not a bad price plus I can build 2, with tons of left over parts, I did have to modify for an 8 pin chip though.

female serial : 1.95
2N3904 transistor: 2.50
5.1 V diode: 1.59
100 uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor: 1.99
8 PIN IC Socket .99
10Kohm resistor 2.05
15Kohm resistor 2.05
Apr 11, 2011. 1:13 PMrobomatt1999 says:
will this work with a pic18f4550 microcontroller if you use a 40 pin ic socket?
Mar 4, 2011. 4:10 PMxAxrules says:
Same as Revenna, most recent PCs don't meet the spec of RS232 (that is, that it can output 15v), I am able to read the pic and initialise the programmer fine, but I can't write as I can't get the voltage high enough on the MCLR pin.
Feb 23, 2011. 2:25 PMnadav says:
can i use a 2N2222 transistor instead of the 2N3904?
Feb 4, 2011. 11:41 PMRevenna says:
Just made one of these and I thought I'd state that my PC doesn't seem capable of outputting enough current/voltage to actually program a PIC with this device. It can read a PIC just fine, but I get tons of errors every time I try to write one. I'd suggest trying a battery/AC powered programmer if you can't get something like this to work. 

Here's some useful links for the people asking for help:
9-pin serial pinout
25-pin serial pinout
PIC16F84A Datasheet
Electronic components
Dec 5, 2010. 4:27 AMfrawtan says:
Hi!..i just wanna ask if this programmer can program PIC10F200 and PIC12F629?..

thanks..=)
Nov 17, 2010. 12:06 PMMakeman says:
i dont understand the scheme
Apr 6, 2010. 8:14 PMfemap says:
I don't understand the schematic. Is there a pin labeled 20? Would someone please show the soldered part of the programmer?
Nov 13, 2010. 3:31 PMxAxrules says:
If you read the OPTIONAL schematic, the pins are labelled correctly there.
Jun 6, 2010. 7:31 PM10032685 says:
I think it's the terminals if this circuit were connected to a 25 pin serial connector. Here is a way to translate the pin layout: http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Serial-HOWTO-20.html
Aug 10, 2009. 3:25 PMPsychic Master says:
what is a common appliance where the diode can be found
Sep 30, 2010. 12:17 PMLiquidLightning says:
Maybe a time dilation device. Or a flux capacitor.
Aug 8, 2010. 4:58 PMobie87 says:
hi, i want to know if this Programmer can program PIC 16LF628A, Thanks
Jul 28, 2010. 1:35 AMshaf789 says:
its ot woking? yyyyyyyy? o :(
Jul 29, 2010. 7:51 PMshaf789 says:
its not working y? a need a halp plx
Jul 28, 2010. 3:41 PMmansman says:
can i use 5.6 zener instead of 5.1v please tell me i can't find 5.1v zener in my place
Jul 7, 2010. 9:53 AMmansman says:
can this programmer work with 16f628a properly
Jul 6, 2010. 8:33 AMhenyo2490 says:
i have question, do I need a external power supply using this circuit?
Oct 5, 2009. 4:59 PMXxShadowxX14 says:
would this programmer work with a PIC16F88 by any chance?
May 19, 2010. 4:29 PMarcane2rox says:
I just checked and  both ICs have the same pinout so it should work!
Apr 7, 2010. 6:06 PMmtor says:
I don't think so.  I got the schematics from another site and it stated that it would only work for the PIC16F84, PIC16F84A, PIC16C84 PIC16F628A (Basically all the same chip)
Mar 27, 2010. 1:32 PMlj123456 says:
can this be converted to work with a pic 12f675
Nov 11, 2009. 1:18 PMeng3mda says:
optional resistor has value of 330 ohm not 3.3k ohm
Oct 23, 2009. 6:51 AMalexev84 says:
explica-mi si mie te rog cum fac cu compatibilitatea la xp sau vista...adica pe partea de drivere cum se comporta programatorul? am inteles ca exista un fisier pentru xp care se pune in folderul system?sau system32?poti sa ma luminezi?ar fi al trei-lea pe care-l construiesc. scopul final e sa controlez motoarele pas-cu-pas bi/unipolare.
Oct 6, 2009. 1:42 AMET2009 says:
which software ware we use computer side
Jun 29, 2009. 4:31 AMalzrc_13j says:
ei broken swords im from philippines too,laguna naman...uhm could anyone please tell me what PIc means???i've been searching the net for any definitions but i can't get any.i want to know about controllers,programmers and ics but somehow i find it difficult specially if i dont even know the basics...hhahahaha so anyone to help and give anything that can help is greatly appreciated....thanks...
Sep 7, 2009. 9:35 PMalzrc_13j says:
hahahaha tnx everybody especially to cidXI hahahahaha i'll start looking for the components hehehehe
Sep 5, 2009. 6:44 PMcidXI says:
PIC = Peripheral Interface Controller
Sep 5, 2009. 2:32 PMtheXmaker says:
Programmable Integrated Circuit !!
Jul 3, 2009. 6:12 PMteh_noob says:
PIC is a type of microcontroller. you should get a book on it, i suggest you get PIC Microcontroller Project Book Second Edition
Aug 31, 2009. 3:54 PMgrampafish says:
will this work with a pic16f627 ?
Jun 22, 2009. 12:18 PMsaaif88 says:
does this work with a PIC16F84A ? are they the same?
Jul 20, 2009. 1:04 AMStripy42 says:
I just built it, and it worked fine with a PIC16F84A. My next step is to see if it works with a PIC16F873, fingers crossed
Jul 20, 2009. 3:31 AMStripy42 says:
Yes, it works with the PIC16F873 as well (different socket of course).
Jul 7, 2009. 10:46 PMjernax says:
is this ic writer aplicable only i PIC16f84?..
1-40 of 64next »

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Author:Vladmakesstuff
I make electronic stuff.Because I Can.