Hi be80be and ErnieM,
Sorry that I haven't responded in a while! I do enjoy building my own stuff, which is why I built the JDM programmer. It works for 12F683 and 12F508, which I had gotten from somebody at work. I have almost finished the USB PicProg from circuits gallery. I will try the 18F2550 in my JDM programmer. If it programs, then great. If not, then that kind of forces the issue to a Pickit 2 or 3. From what I have read, the 2 is the better choice for the bells and whistles that it has? Logic analyzer and ICD count for a lot!

be80be: Does your "clone" work with the pickit 2's logic analyzer and ICD?
Regards,
mikejp56

 

. ICD count for a lot!

Both 2&3 have the ICD function.
Max.

 

It works just the same as a real pickit2 just you have to supply 3.3 volts to program a 3.3 volt chip.
that's one of the reasons I made my own I gave my junebug away it's a clone. And then missed having the logic analyzer.
to use and still program with my real pickit2 so I put the 18f2550 on a bread board burned the pickit firmware and didn't have any fet's so I used npn and pnp for them worked great.
You can just add the parts needed to use USB and load the firmware and use the chip as a logic tool too that works fine too i put 1 k on the pins i use.

Oh and people leave out the part that not all pic chips are debugable cheaply some take special headers with chips that you test your code on.

 

I must have misunderstood, I thought Microchip removed the debugger functionality from the PK3 in order to push their separate ICD product. If I'm wrong, then great!

 

@DerStrom8

These comments apply specifically to the 16F1829 using MPLab 8.92:


Although PK2 and PK3 will often work interchangeably, with the PK2 offering a logic analyzer, using stock Microchip software, the PK2 is not listed for programming or debugging newer chips:


As always, it is best to check the manuals for a specific device, chip, and tools. I have read that there are aftermarket add-ons for the PK2 that expand the range of chips it can handle.

John

 

@DerStrom8

These comments apply specifically to the 16F1829 using MPLab 8.92:
View attachment 90235

Although PK2 and PK3 will often work interchangeably, with the PK2 offering a logic analyzer, using stock Microchip software, the PK2 is not listed for programming or debugging newer chips:
View attachment 90236

As always, it is best to check the manuals for a specific device, chip, and tools. I have read that there are aftermarket add-ons for the PK2 that expand the range of chips it can handle.

John

This was very informative, thank you John!

 

I had to get the Pickit3 for the latest 18F23K22 and up etc, the device chart shows essentially the same posted by John. But it just shows the ICD 2/3 which are separate modules, the MPLAB also has a debugger function using Pickit2/3 itself, depending on compatible chips for each.
Max.

 

Hi Guys,
Sorry that I have been away for a few weeks. I ordered several PICs and other parts from Digikey, and I have successfully programmed and verified an 18F2550 with the hex code for the USB PICPROG from the circuitsgallery website, using my homebuilt JDM programmer and WinPIC800 software. I will build the USB PICPROG programmer next, and update this thread when I have some results to report.
Regards,
mike

 

Maybe eight (?) years ago prior buying Picstart Plus, I built Fred Eady's Pic Replicator. Two years ago, when the Plus died, it came back into service with little problems. Microchip (AZ), when asked about the failure, replaced it with no questions from their side and in no time.

To be fair with them, given their attitude, I sent my failed one to USA. I paid Fed Ex more than if I decided to buy a new one here.

I doubt I would build any new programmer in the near future. Some time in the past, DIY programmers seemed to me, kind of a subset in the religious wars going on. Now it it seems (to me) more a nostalgic activity. I prefer to explore new spaces (like designing a PID controller with op amps ).

 

Hi be80be,
OK,so I finished building the USBPICProg from the circuitsgallery website. When plugged into the USB port, one of the LED flashes and nothing happens. I get an error message to reinstall the driver and/or the software. I get this error message on 2 different PCs. I am convinced that my hardware is properly built; using an ohmmeter and scope to verify functions. So I am convinced that this is a software/firmware issue.
I am willing to build your circuit as shown in post #18 and try it out. Can you post the hex file that gets put into the '2550 please?
Thanks for your help, and I will keep you informed.
Regards,
mike

 

Hi be80be,
OK,so I finished building the USBPICProg from the circuitsgallery website. When plugged into the USB port, one of the LED flashes and nothing happens. I get an error message to reinstall the driver and/or the software. I get this error message on 2 different PCs. I am convinced that my hardware is properly built; using an ohmmeter and scope to verify functions. So I am convinced that this is a software/firmware issue.
I am willing to build your circuit as shown in post #18 and try it out. Can you post the hex file that gets put into the '2550 please?
Thanks for your help, and I will keep you informed.
Regards,
mike

Hi be80be,
Are you still out there? I am interested in building your programmer; can you post the code for the 18F2550, or do you want to do a PM?
Regards,
mike

 

I'm here You need this it installs the program software and the firmware is with it.The first link doesn't have net framework A you can use it if you have that installed
the second one is the whole ball of wax with net framework A
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/PICkit 2 v2.61.00 Setup A.zip
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/PICkit 2 v2.61.00 Setup dotNET A.zip

Attached is the firmware for the programmer. And I know it works. Only problem I see is getting it in the 18f2550 I used a real pickit2 to program it with it. I tried maybe 20 jdm to load it they never worked. I made a idc2 it worked on serial using the
PIC16F876 http://smisioto.no-ip.org/elettronica/icd2_clone/icd2_clone-en.htm

 

Hi be80be,
Much thanks for the FW. What is the value of the inductor in the collector of Q2? I will build this in the next few weeks or so and keep the thread posted.
Regards,
mike

 

What is the value of the inductor in the collector of Q2?

Check the pickit2 schematic published by microchip. It is actually a little bit on the high side so don't exceed it.

 

Hi dannyf and be80be,
According to microchip it is 680uH.
regards,
mike

 

According to microchip it is 680uH.

That's exactly what I meant: Microchip used too big of a value. I would top it out at 110uh or 220uh - there is very little current on Vpp, even if MCLR is pulled low.

 

Hi dannyf,
Thanks for the tip, I will keep that in mind as I build it.
Regards,
mike

 

I've used from 220 to 680 the 220 works better but any thing from 220 to 680 uh works.

 

Hi be80be,
Thanks for the info!
Regards,
mike

 

Hello,
I was also same here to build just buy the card of micro programmer if u want to sell then its other way.