Minty JDM PIC Programmer

This project details how to build a JDM style programmer to program PIC Microcontrollers using Microchip's ICSP (In Circuit Serial Programming) and freeware software (PICPgm). Total project cost: less than $10. This device has been tested on both the PIC16F877 and PIC18F4550. Check the PICPgm website to see compatibility with other PIC microcontrollers.

I used information from http://www.olimex.com/dev/images/PIC/PIC-USB-4550-sch.gif and Ian's excellent instructible http://www.instructables.com/id/Business-Card-PIC-Programmer/ to complete this project.

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Step 1: Parts and Tools

Most of these parts are fairly common and can be found at Digikey, AllElectonics, or Radio Shack:

(1) DB9 Female Serial port connector w/ at least a 5 wire cable attached (Connector was $4.50)
(1) Cable with 5 wires and a connector to connect to PIC circuit (I used an old mouse cable)
(1) 1.5K Ohm Resistor ($0.14 ea)
(1) 10K Ohm Resistor   ($0.14 ea)
(4) 1N4148 Diodes        ($0.18 ea)
(1) 8.2V Zener Diode       ($0.32 ea)
(1) 5.1V Zener Diode    ($0.27ea)
(2) BC547 Transistors ($0.41 ea)
(1) 22uF Tantalum Capacitor            ($0.32 ea)
(1) 100uF Electrolytic Capacitor        ($0.27 ea)
(1) Small Prototype Board                 ($1.99 ea)
(1) Small Mint Tin                                (Had one laying around)
Some small guage wire for connections

Tools required:
- Soldering Iron and Solder
- Wire Strippers
- Multimeter (for checking connections)

John C Sunil says: Apr 10, 2013. 4:28 AM

Sir can i use a normal 22uF electrolytic capacitor instead of a tantalum cap?

dirkandterra (author) in reply to John C SunilApr 16, 2013. 9:42 AM

You might be able to get by with the normal cap, but I recommend the tantalum since it was spec'd out.

John C Sunil says: Apr 10, 2013. 4:27 AM

Sir can i program a 16f88 with this? Please reply soon!!!

dirkandterra (author) in reply to John C SunilApr 16, 2013. 9:38 AM

Picpgm does support the 16F88, so it should work. I did not personally test the 88 though, sorry.

xenonic says: Aug 22, 2012. 6:48 AM

I found a solution if you get an error. When I run any other program than picpgm, it doesn't find the programmer. When I close everything, exept picpgm, it detects everything. Weird but true

arun_jadhav1989 says: Mar 29, 2012. 12:15 AM

i m getting error as "verify errors occured".plz tell me why it is?
i ahve checked all the hardware. it found ok.plz reply its urgent

dirkandterra (author) in reply to arun_jadhav1989Apr 10, 2012. 4:24 AM

Sorry for the late reply. Is it autodetecting your programmer and pic? When you power it on, does it automatically recognize that you have a 18f4520 in the programmer?

xenonic says: Apr 4, 2012. 7:12 AM

when i use picpgm and put in my programmer, it says:
Checking connection of JDM Programmer ...
Error opening LPT driver!
No Programmer found! Check connection!
No PIC detected!

WHO CAN HELP ME?
thanks

dirkandterra (author) in reply to xenonicApr 10, 2012. 4:22 AM

Check your settings, it looks like you have your printer port selected. In hardware, do you have autodetected selected?

arun_jadhav1989 says: Mar 29, 2012. 5:12 AM

plz reply for above query its urgent....i am using pic18f4520

ign407 says: Dec 7, 2011. 7:44 PM

is it supported for pic 18f248???

give me a schematic for 18f248 programmer

dirkandterra (author) in reply to ign407Dec 15, 2011. 6:55 PM

I have not tested a 248, but the PICPgm site says that it is compatible

1. MCLR Pin is pin 1 on the 248
2. VDD Pin(s) is pin 20 on the 248
3. VSS Pin(s) is pin 8 and 19 on the 248
4. PGC Clock Pin is pin 27 on the 248
5. PGD Data Pin is pin 28 on the 248

The schematic will me the same for the programmer, just connect it to the pic as described above.

robot1398 says: Jun 14, 2011. 12:45 AM

this helped a lot

dirkandterra (author) in reply to robot1398Jun 14, 2011. 7:51 PM

Glad to help!

robot1398 in reply to dirkandterraJun 14, 2011. 8:10 PM

did you rate

robot1398 says: Jun 14, 2011. 12:26 AM

check out my new instructable and plzzzz rate
http://www.instructables.com/id/LED-Wheel-Effect-Without-a-Microcontroller-/

robot1398 says: Jun 10, 2011. 6:10 AM

do i just copy paste the code to the programming software

dirkandterra (author) in reply to robot1398Jun 11, 2011. 3:44 PM

You have to open a .hex file with the software. You can generate the .hex file using Microchip's free IDE found on their website.

robot1398 in reply to dirkandterraJun 11, 2011. 8:09 PM

chip programmed yay

dirkandterra (author) in reply to robot1398Jun 13, 2011. 2:32 PM

Great!

robot1398 says: Apr 27, 2011. 8:04 PM

where can i get a Female DB9 Serial Connector

dirkandterra (author) in reply to robot1398Apr 28, 2011. 4:23 AM

Digikey:
L77SDE09S-ND
RadioShack:
Model: 276-1538

The housing is usually sold separately. Or you can chop a serial cable in half and use it. Let me know if you have any other questions.