Let's Get The Show On The Road......

[MrBean]

Great progress guys. I'm going to mill my boards tomorrow (19th). I've got most of the components ready to go now. Just waiting on the resonators and a few of the caps.

I need to buy a PIC programmer as I don't have one. I was looking at these:

http://www.quasarelectronics.com/pic_programmers.htm

What do you guys think. Any of them any good or would you recommend something else.

Regards Terry.....

[BobLWeiss]

Originally Posted by MrBean I need to buy a PIC programmer as I don't have one. I was looking at these: http://www.quasarelectronics.com/pic_programmers.htm What do you guys think. Any of them any good or would you recommend something else.

I have the 3149 programmer and it I could only get it to program certain chips. I know it has something to do with programming voltage but I can't figure it out. I sent it back and got a new one and it still does the same thing. I got so pissed I just ordered the Picstart Plus from Microchip because I figure if it comes from the manufacturer of the chips it must be good. Plus you can burn right from MPLAB IDE and don't have to deal with someones third party software. I am sure the programmer works, I just found it strange I have gotten 2 units that only program like 4 different pics when it supposed to do all of them. I guess you get what you pay for.

[santiniuk]

Cannot comment on the Quasar Programmer I'm afraid Terry but the Picstart has been fine for my use at work. I cannot claim to use it a lot but seems ok.

If your struggling to get the PIC devices I can send you three programmed ones as a swap for the resonators Let me know if you need them. Can post Tuesday if required.

Is there any way you can capture some video of your boards being milled ? I'm intrigued at how the milling process performs.

Bob, I cannot remember what drill size I used. It may be on the large side, or maybe just the etching quality of my boards.

Cheers

[MrBean]

Thanks santiniuk. I may well take you up on that offer. I'm hoping the resonators will arrive monday. Will mail you when I know for sure.

I think I'll get the Picstart that you and Bob mention, at some point. (Birthday comming up). A bit pricier (£110) but sounds like it may be worth the money.

I just bought a webcam the other day for the purpose of making a video of the machine doing it's thing. It's not going to be the best quality, but should suffice.

Thanks

Regards Terry.....
http://www.terry-is.f2s.com/

[Garfield2]

Originally Posted by MrBean I need to buy a PIC programmer as I don't have one. I was looking at these: http://www.quasarelectronics.com/pic_programmers.htm What do you guys think. Any of them any good or would you recommend something else.

Well in UK speak I have one of these :-

3150

In Australia it's called a Kit150V2 and it comes from kitrus.com in HK.

It's an excellent little programmer, although don't accidently short out the VPP voltage to ground when using ICSP else you'll have to replace these tiny transistors like I had to.



-A.

[unterhaus]

Originally Posted by BobLWeiss You can find more about the toner transfer method by going to the yahoo-group for homemade pcb's and also here: Toner Transfer Method I am also waiting on bits to arrive so I can drill out those boards and begin contrustion of the drivers. I have most of the machine finsihed and can post pictures later on when I get the camera back..(wife...hehe)

What's the name of that group?

[BobLWeiss]

Originally Posted by unterhaus What's the name of that group?

Homebrew_PCBs

[santiniuk]

Things have been going too well

Had one of those days where things didn't go to plan.

Made the interface to Controller board IDC leads no problem.

Then made the interface lead to pc 25 pin D plug. This didn't go to plan.
I used a 26way IDC header one end (Fine) and then used a 25 pin IDC D plug the other end.
Be careful, I'm sure I'm not that daft but basically the IDC pins of the 25 pin D-plug when assembled do not match the lines of the IDC header when spliced onto the ribbon.
I had to use a standard 25 pin D-plug and solder the connections in place.
No great loss.

I then programmed the Pic with Alans latest code. Seemed to program ok and verified ok.

I then tried a 20Mhz crystal with two 22pf cap's from each lead to gnd.

I thought I would power it up at this stage and check to see what the clock looked like on the PIC. I scoped the pins but not a sign of the clock signal. The micro supply is fine.

I messed around trying the crystal without the caps but no joy.

Have other things to do now so put this to a side for a bit. Am I correct, I should see a clock signal. (I did not have the pc interface connected as I didn't have any software with me)




Cheers

[BobLWeiss]

Originally Posted by santiniuk Have other things to do now so put this to a side for a bit. Am I correct, I should see a clock signal. (I did not have the pc interface connected as I didn't have any software with me) Cheers

Yes, you should have gotten a signal on one of the crystal leads...20mhz clock signal so you know its running. Something has to be off...it has nothing to do with the computer connection either. First get the PIC running, make sure gound and power are good +5vdc, and that one end of each cap is grounded, the other end to each lead of the crystal. Make sure the crystal is connected to the OSC pins 1 & 2 on the PIC also. Since you changed it from being a resonator are you still using his mounting holes in the circuit board?

[santiniuk]

Bob,

Had a clean 5V supply to micro across pin 5-14. I mounted the crystal in the same pads as the resonator. Used the outer holes for the crystal leads and then from each crystal lead to the center pad (gnd).

I was checking pins 15 & 16 of the pic for a clock signal.

Thanks

[BobLWeiss]

When you say you put the leads from the crystal to the center hole (gnd) did you go through a cap from each lead first then to gnd? In other words, the crystal leads are not grounded themselves right? They must go to one end of each cap, then the cap's other leads are grounded.

Bob

[santiniuk]

Yes,

Sorry didnt clarify. One cap lead to gnd the other to a Xtal lead. both sides.

Config bits programmed as per attached image of micro.

Ok ?