PIc Programmer Kit

[willib]

I am going to build this





Its called inchworm

i got it from

http://www.blueroomelectronics.com/inchworm.htm

It is a PIC programmer , In Circuit Debugger (ICD)

it is a complete circuit board all ready to be populated with parts so a little soldering is needed, although one could buy the whole board complete for very little cash.

some of the terms used need some explaining so dont be shy.i will try to answer all questions to the best of my ability.

I use PIC microcontrollers to cut foam (with a power transistor)by regulating the current through a stainless wire.

I use a PIC for my boost converter.

I use a PIC to communicate with my pc (using the PIC16F877A )and the RS232 interface.

Any time I need a precise control of current through a DC motor or through a resistor (stainless steel wire)i use a PIC with A Power FET .

I also have plans to finish My data logger , the in circuit debugging will speed this up a lot.

Allready i have sampled data and sent it to the pc , but need to work on the wind gauge, and scale the battery voltage down to 5 Volts max, so the PIC can read it.

so if anyone wants a nice winter project this is the one to pick ( no pun intended)

i am going to order the parts soon

Any help needed , i'm here.

[willib]

I'm thinking we all use the same 'Target' micro controller then we can share  programs with each other.

the board uses a PIC16F877A to program other target controllers and to do the debugging.

[Boondocker]

Willib

I've started to learn about programmable controller using BasicStamp.  The documentation is excellent and easy to follow, as being a beginner.  Interfacing the chip with a PC using Selmaware StampPlot and DAQ is pretty cool too.    After entering the microcontroller world, I found out BS2 cost more.  However, being a self taught student, all of the examples and support to draw upon is worth it to me.

[beepipes]

I've used the Stamp, and the basic was very easy to use, though a little limited in looping structures. Started on the PIC, but put it aside when I retired. My last job before retiring was programming in clipper, lost the desire to sit in front of a computer for the length of time it takes to develop an application.

Never got too far in learning the assembly language for the PIC. Will you be programming in assembly, or did you pick up one of the compilers out there? They had C and an extended basic, but they were all small scale versions of the language and missing some conveniences in looping structures, like the stamp basic.

Regards,

Pat

[Tom in NH]

Hi Willib,

I've been using the MELabs Serial PIC programmer, which is nice. It shouldn't matter much what programmer one uses, but what might make a difference as far as being able to share programs is what assembler or programming language one uses. I use the Microchip MPlab IDE, which is a free download and a full featured assembler. Many people prefer a higher level language, such as PIC Basic, for ease of use, but I rather like to be able to get down to the gut-level of the chip. Besides, I've programmed using assemblers for Zilog and Intel microprocessors and am used to the way things are done. I have an assembler source code file in the Downloads section of my web log, altenergyweb.com

--tom

[willib]

I have had good luck with a PicPascal from mikro electronica.

i could get into all the stuff that i've done but i feel most peoples eyes are allready starting to glaze over ?

its nice to see some new faces here who have used microcontrollers

welcome !!

[willib]

the last time i took the mini genII out i briefly got slightly above the power output in the photo.

i calculated that i got 31 watts in a gust of wind that was reading seven MPH and just touched eight, for a second.

the blades are 1.875 feet radius so 1.9 is close as i can get the program to display.

wind speed also as close as i can get it .

anyway i have to prove it to myself that the blade efficiency is as good as i think it is..

thats where the data logger comes in.

[willib]

This guy in Japan uses a USB device to communicate with the pc.

that would be cool.

http://www.hobby-elec1.org/e_pic6_f1.htm

[alancorey]

Does the $45 mentioned on the page for the "kit" include all the parts or just the board and maybe some documentation?

  Alan

[willib]

i followed this link from his webpage.

http://www.dipmicro.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=53

i think the 'kit',only costs $36.

http://www.dipmicro.com/projects/Inchworm/

and comes with a PIC16F877 preprogrammed to do the chores of in circuit debugging and programming the target chip.

 i dont know why he put MSRP .

[gizmo]

I use the PicAxe chips, a lot cheaper than the Stamp series and have a more powerful command set, plus 10 bit ADC inputs. I've used them for pump controlers http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/PumpControler.asp, a windmill charge controler with LCD menu http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/charger1.asp, and a windmill data logger http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/PicLog.asp, and I even put together a intro page for the PicAxe http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/articles/PicAxe.asp

As you can see I love the little PicAxe chips.

I've been meaning to jump into the raw PIC programming with a 16F877A or similar, but learning a new language scares me away, used versions of Basic all my life so dont know how well I would go with Assembler. Can anyone make some web site recommendations for starting out in PIC's and Assembler?

Glenn

[willib]

Glen , all your links had a comma at the end , except the last one.

Very neat projects!

http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/PumpControler.asp

http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/charger1.asp

http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/PicLog.asp

http://www.thebackshed.com/windmill/articles/PicAxe.asp

I have had good luck with Pic Pascal from mikro elektronica.

http://www.mikroe.com/en/

they have a free download of their pic Pascal , limited to 2000 instructions

They also have a Pic Basic for free download  .

the pascal is very well done , and i think the Basic would be similar..

it is constantly updated and well supported, and documented .

their download page.

http://www.mikroe.com/en/download/

[gizmo]

Yeah I'll have to remember to put a space at the end of any links, thanks for pointing that out.

Thanks for the link to mikroe too, having a look now.

Glenn

[willib]

i ordered a kit last night , even though i have a bare board , because it would have taken a long time to order all the parts , from somewhere else.