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.

Step 1: Step 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]

Comments

[double_g]

I don't understand your schematic. You have GND going to Vdd (Vdd should be your positive voltage)? And then Vss is just your VDD run through a cap? The diode theoretically wouldn't even do anything since Vss should always be less than Vdd. Can you give me some insight into what's going on here?

[kuyabunso]

can I use rs232 to usb adaptor?

[black_demon_31]

Great! Built the board, but I have the problem of Low voltage! What should I do?

[chetancc]

Hi,
I want to program PIC12F629 with readymade .hex code. Which programmer should I use? I would like to know the best and cheapest programmer available. I bought PICKIT2 clone from India but I had very bad experience with it. I couldn't program with it.
Can you please suggest me good programmer?
Regards,
Chetan

[Suraj Grewal]

I tested on pic 16f84a

[Suraj Grewal]

This is working,working smoothly without any problems it programms very fast,efficiently,and without any errors.

[SDJ012]

is this really working? thanks

[mujtaba ali]

hey,
plz tell me that using of this programer, can we programe to PIC16F628 PIC16F877 & PIC16F876.......?

Thanks...

[dhamidovic]

please, can anyone say is this correct what 'eng3mda' said..
should I put resistor value-330 ohm or 3.3k ohm ????

[yours31f]

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

[robomatt1999]

will this work with a pic18f4550 microcontroller if you use a 40 pin ic socket?

[xAxrules]

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.

[nadav]

can i use a 2N2222 transistor instead of the 2N3904?

[Revenna]

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

[frawtan]

Hi!..i just wanna ask if this programmer can program PIC10F200 and PIC12F629?..

thanks..=)

[Makeman]

i dont understand the scheme

[femap]

I don't understand the schematic. Is there a pin labeled 20? Would someone please show the soldered part of the programmer?

[xAxrules]

If you read the OPTIONAL schematic, the pins are labelled correctly there.

[10032685]

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

[Psychic Master]

what is a common appliance where the diode can be found

[LiquidLightning]

Maybe a time dilation device. Or a flux capacitor.

[obie87]

hi, i want to know if this Programmer can program PIC 16LF628A, Thanks

[shaf789]

its ot woking? yyyyyyyy? o :(

[shaf789]

its not working y? a need a halp plx

[mansman]

can i use 5.6 zener instead of 5.1v please tell me i can't find 5.1v zener in my place

[mansman]

can this programmer work with 16f628a properly

[henyo2490]

i have question, do I need a external power supply using this circuit?

[XxShadowxX14]

would this programmer work with a PIC16F88 by any chance?

[arcane2rox]

I just checked and  both ICs have the same pinout so it should work!

[mtor]

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)

[lj123456]

can this be converted to work with a pic 12f675

[eng3mda]

optional resistor has value of 330 ohm not 3.3k ohm

[alexev84]

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.

[ET2009]

which software ware we use computer side

[alzrc_13j]

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...

[alzrc_13j]

hahahaha tnx everybody especially to cidXI hahahahaha i'll start looking for the components hehehehe

[cidXI]

PIC = Peripheral Interface Controller

[theXmaker]

Programmable Integrated Circuit !!

[teh_noob]

PIC is a type of microcontroller. you should get a book on it, i suggest you get PIC Microcontroller Project Book Second Edition

[grampafish]

will this work with a pic16f627 ?