Post by thread:[PIC]: Anyone used this device before?...

>I'm thinking of >using it as a simple way to program 16F872-I/SO >chips. Someone (Olin or Bob Ammerman I think) listed a site that has tons of adapters for programming. The ones for the 16F872 SOIC were $75. They were ZIF sockets, essentially, that clamp down on the SOIC and have header pin rows so you can place it into your programmer. I think this is quite a bargain if you're considering doing lots of programming. However, for prototypes, you can just as easily make one by etching out a SOIC pad pattern and running traces to pads and soldering in headers in a similar fashion. Of course, you don't have the neato spring-loaded clamp to hold down the chip, so you have to use your fingers and hold it onto the pads. Since the PIC is .050 spacing, it's really not that hard at all. I've done dozens this way without problems. I would recommend using a ground strap, though, if you do this. But hey, if you want to pave the way for a new method, go right ahead. However, it does require that you solder the chip into the board first. If you're doing lots of SMD on the board, though, this probably isn't the way to go. --Andrew _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email spam_OUTlistservTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Hmmm... $75 on a hobbyist's budget is a bit up there, but I might be able to drool myself into one. Just tried a search for the thread, but nothing yet. In the meanwhile, any clues as to the source for these? Most of my gizmos usually have one PIC in it, and occassionally, 1 or 2 more chips. The clamp thing sounds nice though... wonder if I can rube goldberg something? :-) Cheers, -Neil. {Original Message removed}

> Someone (Olin or Bob Ammerman I think) listed a site that has tons of > adapters for programming. I have bought several adapter sockets for Picstart+ programmers from Emulation Technologies, (800) 232-7837, http://www.1800adapter.com. I also have EDI, (702) 735-4997, listed as a source, but I don't think we every bought anything from them. ***************************************************************** Embed Inc, embedded system specialists in Littleton Massachusetts (978) 742-9014, http://www.embedinc.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList .....piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspam@spam@mitvma.mit.edu

>I have bought several adapter sockets for Picstart+ programmers from >Emulation Technologies, (800) 232-7837, http://www.1800adapter.com. I also That's the place! Be careful you select the right adapter, though. They're listed by PIC number, so it's pretty straightforward, but they do have a LOT of different SOIC adapters. --Andrew _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp. -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspammitvma.mit.edu

Oh wow -- that's nice, but $75... ouch! In the meanwhile, I came up with a little design last night. It was an exercise in how I could get this done with stuff I have laying around the house... http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/SOIC-Adapter.jpg Not a perfect picture (scanner dead, so had to use a camera), but it's legible. Think I'll try to build one this weekend. Cheers, -Neil. {Original Message removed}

Nice concept, simple design. Admittedly it would be great to build it and see it work. I have made a similar tool for small-pitch hot-bar tabs on cell-phone COG LCD's. It was worthwhile because there was no such adapter available off the shelf and the home-made tool worked great. However, it took way too many hours to do accurately, and I would definitley sell one of the extra TV's, printers or old PC's to raise cash in order to buy a ready made part, if available. But then again, you may have lots of spare time....or it may help you make millions.....that would be another story.... c {Quote hidden}> Oh wow -- that's nice, but $75... ouch! > In the meanwhile, I came up with a little design last night. > It was an exercise in how I could get this done with stuff > I have laying around the house... > http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/SOIC-Adapter.jpg > > Not a perfect picture (scanner dead, so had to use a > camera), but it's legible. Think I'll try to build one > this weekend. > > Cheers, > -Neil. > > > > -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList .....piclist-unsubscribe-requestKILLspam.....mitvma.mit.edu

>It was an exercise in how I could get this done with stuff >I have laying around the house... > http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/SOIC-Adapter.jpg Note: you'll need a LOT more downforce on the pins than those rubber bands can provide. Even pushing with your fingers is tough because you have to literally flex any pin that isn't precisely aligned with all the other pins into position. It takes a good 5-10 pounds of force on the pins to really ensure they're seated. If you've ever used a real SMD socket, you'll notice that the force required to close the lid is quite high... the force transmitted to the pins themselves is tremendous. --Andrew _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList EraseMEpiclist-unsubscribe-requestspam_OUTTakeThisOuTmitvma.mit.edu

Never seem to have enough time, but then again, I have more of that to spare than money right now :-) The key here is that I don't really NEED to use an SOIC chip in anything -- I just WANT to, so build a little device like this is part of the hobby itself. If I works out, I'll post pics/details. Cheers, -Neil. {Original Message removed}

Good to know. I was thinking of running the copper traces to only the pins I need to program the 16F872. That would put more force on just those pins. However, that would limit me to just that device. I'll experiment with different strengths of rubber-bands, springs, etc. Also have some C-clamps and a large vice :-) Cheers, -Neil. {Original Message removed}

> In the meanwhile, I came up with a little design last night. > It was an exercise in how I could get this done with stuff > I have laying around the house... > http://www.avn-tech.com/stuff/SOIC-Adapter.jpg > > Not a perfect picture (scanner dead, so had to use a > camera), but it's legible. Think I'll try to build one > this weekend. Look for Aries #44-547-11, universal soic and others adapter. Well worth the money I think at US128. With right wiring, you can re-use it for many type of programmers, chips, etc. DigiKey stocked it. http://rocky.digikey.com/scripts/ProductInfo.dll?Site=US&V=43&M=44-547-11 Cheers, Ling SM -- http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList piclist-unsubscribe-requestspam_OUTmitvma.mit.edu

>Here's some part # references and prices from the above site (looks like >these are Contact East's part #'s) for the Pomona SOIC CLIP's: > >122-760 (28) $20.30 Why spend $20 and fabricate a makeshift device with limited application, compensate for its use by forcing the PIC to be soldered independently to the board prior to programming, then risk possible programming problems by having the clip slip off midstream? I'd recommend scraping up the additional $55, save yourself the time, effort, and headaches, and buy a REAL adapter from http://www.1800adapters.com. Just my $.02. --Andrew _________________________________________________________________ Send and receive Hotmail on your mobile device: http://mobile.msn.com -- http://www.piclist.com#nomail Going offline? Don't AutoReply us! email @spam@listservKILLspammitvma.mit.edu with SET PICList DIGEST in the body

Actually, I often find clip-over test clips with short ribbon cables to a DIP header to be easier to use and more reliable than 'proper' programming sockets for SO devices, especially for smaller sized devices (8 pin) - also, two clips (wide & narrow) covers most package widths, so a clip or two can cover a LOT of different device types. On Tue, 4 Jun 2002 17:41:18 -0500, you wrote: {Quote hidden}>Why? Cause I'm (a) a hobbyist, (b) unemployed, (c) >using SOIC's just for the hell of it. No real need >to otherwise. Based on these parameters, low-cost >becomes a major factor. If I ever go commercial, >I'll be sure to pick up the right part. > >Cheers, >-Neil. > > > >{Original Message removed}