Pickit 2 programing a PIC at 5v with 3.3v chips on board

[Veramacor]

Hello all again,

I have a PIC16F886 that can be run at 3.3v or 5v no problem.   From what I've read the Pickit 2 programs at 5v.

The problem I'm concerned with is on my PCB there are 3.3v chips (bluetooth module, real time clock).

I would like to program the chip via ICSP (I have the 5 pins already traced).   Does anyone know if the PIC16F886 can be programmed by the Pickit2  at 3.3v? 

The pic is a surface mount type so I can't just pull the chip and program externally.

I can run the normal power source and have the pickit2 not provide power, but the power to the PIC16F886 from the source is only 3.3v and seems not to read the PIC.

Any suggestions?

[dimlow]

If your board has its own power, the Pickit 2 will not power the pic. so your safe there. Also in MBLAB you can set the voltage that the pickit will use. That's in the programmer.Setting menu. But there is a problem here if you have a knock off pickit 2. Some of these only use 5v even if you set the thing to 3v.

[EEVblog]

The PICkit 2 and 3 program using whatever voltage is read from your device under test, so both are fully compatible with your 3.3V circuit. The PICkit reads the voltage used on your board.
Both PICkit's can also output a user defined voltage on that same power in order to power your circuit.

Dave.

[Jon Chandler]

I can't attest to this fact, but I'm told if you let the PICkit 2 automatically detect the device type, it defaults to 5v, and switches to 3.3v only after identifying the part as low voltage.

This brief application of 5v to a 3.3v part may not kill it, but still it's outside the absolute max ratings.  I inadvertently powered a 3.3v 18F25K20 from 5 volts yesterday when I connected a 5v UART-USB adapter and it didn't seem to suffer any ill effects even being powered that way for half-an-hour until I realized my mistake - I think I'll reserve that part for living on the dev board on my desk just in case.


Jon

[Veramacor]

Well, its time to buy the real thing -  I've got a knock-off pickit2 device and that is what is most likely happening - Defaulting to 5v only.

Thanks for the tips - exactly what I needed to know!

[Simon]

you will probably have to get it off ebay possibly second hand, I don't think they are made any more. yes the pickit will leave your chip alone if it detects that it is already powered although I've always run at 5 V

[ziq8tsi]

I have always included a Schottky diode down from board power to the PIC's Vcc, so that the ICSP header can never attempt to power the rest of the circuit.  This allows programming under PICkit power only, which may be more convenient, even if the circuit normally requires more than 100mA, or has specific voltage requirements.

I realise this may not help OP, unless he wishes to modify the board.  Also, if the programming pins are used for other purposes in the circuit, it may be necessary to prevent the !MCLR, PGC, and PGD voltages from propagating as well.

[Zero999]

Well, its time to buy the real thing -  I've got a knock-off pickit2 device and that is what is most likely happening - Defaulting to 5v only.

I have a cheap PICkit clone. It did say 5V devices only on the ebay page but I don't have any 3V devices so it isn't an issue for me.

How about using a header and connect the power via jumper, so the PIC's power has to be disconnected before the programmer can be connected? Again probably not much help for your existing board but might be a good way of doing it in future.

[Simon]

I have always included a Schottky diode down from board power to the PIC's Vcc, so that the ICSP header can never attempt to power the rest of the circuit.  This allows programming under PICkit power only, which may be more convenient, even if the circuit normally requires more than 100mA, or has specific voltage requirements.

I realise this may not help OP, unless he wishes to modify the board.  Also, if the programming pins are used for other purposes in the circuit, it may be necessary to prevent the !MCLR, PGC, and PGD voltages from propagating as well.

that's a handy and common method for isolating the programming header from the rest of the circuit using the programming pins on the MCU as inputs, providing you can put up with the voltage drop it would work a treat

[migsantiago]

Hello all again,

I have a PIC16F886 that can be run at 3.3v or 5v no problem.   From what I've read the Pickit 2 programs at 5v.

The problem I'm concerned with is on my PCB there are 3.3v chips (bluetooth module, real time clock).

I would like to program the chip via ICSP (I have the 5 pins already traced).   Does anyone know if the PIC16F886 can be programmed by the Pickit2  at 3.3v? 

The pic is a surface mount type so I can't just pull the chip and program externally.

I can run the normal power source and have the pickit2 not provide power, but the power to the PIC16F886 from the source is only 3.3v and seems not to read the PIC.

Any suggestions?

Hello.

I also have a PIC16F886 and a Pickit2. I can safely read it when operating it at 3.3V.

The problem is that my PIC won't run its code and is NOT programmable at 3.3V (I'm using the Internal oscillator, maybe that's why it doesn't work at 3.3V). It can only be programmed using 5V. The weird thing is that Microchip's datasheet says that it can work from 2.0V to 5.5V... which is not happening. My PIC only starts working at 3.7V.

This may be happening in your circuit... the main supply is 5V which feeds the PIC and then there is a 3.3V regulator which feeds the other circuits.

If you built the board and fed the PIC with 3.3V to work... I'm afraid it won't work.

There is another option, the Low Voltage ICSP.

DS41287 - PIC16F88X Memory Programming Specification
http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/41287C.pdf

3.1 Low-Voltage ICSP™ Mode
The Low-Voltage ICSP Programming mode allows the
PIC16F88X devices to be programmed using VDD only.
However, when this mode is enabled by a Configura-
tion bit (LVP), the PIC16F88X device dedicates RB3 to
control entry/exit into Programming mode. When LVP
bit is set to ‘1’, the low-voltage ICSP programming entry
is enabled. Since the LVP Configuration bit allows low-
voltage ICSP programming entry in its erased state, an
erased device will have the LVP bit enabled at the fac-
tory. While LVP is ‘1’, RB3 is dedicated to low-voltage
ICSP programming. Bring RB3 and then MCLR to VDD
to enter Programming mode. All other specifications for
high-voltage ICSP apply. To disable the Low-Voltage
ICSP mode, the LVP bit must be programmed to ‘0’.
This must be done while entered in the High-Voltage
Entry mode (LVP bit = ‘1’). RB3 is now a general
purpose I/O pin.

[migsantiago]

Ohh and be sure to read the PIC errata because there's a bug involving the Low Voltage Programming.

http://ww1.microchip.com/downloads/en/DeviceDoc/80302F.pdf

[Veramacor]

"I also have a PIC16F886 and a Pickit2. I can safely read it when operating it at 3.3V.

The problem is that my PIC won't run its code and is NOT programmable at 3.3V (I'm using the Internal oscillator, maybe that's why it doesn't work at 3.3V). It can only be programmed using 5V. The weird thing is that Microchip's datasheet says that it can work from 2.0V to 5.5V... which is not happening. My PIC only starts working at 3.7V."

Sounds like my situation,  but I have to say the surface mount version of the PIC16F886 seems to run my code at 3.3v with no problem,  I just can't see the device with my pickit clone if I try to set to 3.3v

The Schottky diode approach may be my lead alternative

[migsantiago]

Sounds like my situation,  but I have to say the surface mount version of the PIC16F886 seems to run my code at 3.3v with no problem,  I just can't see the device with my pickit clone if I try to set to 3.3v

The Schottky diode approach may be my lead alternative

Are you using the internal oscillator or an external crystal?

Some pickit2 clones do not implement the variable voltage supply that the original pickit2 has. Maybe that could be your problem.

[Veramacor]

I'm using the internal oscillator of the 886.

This is the el-cheapo pickit2 clone I'm using It's worked on every Pic I tried to program,  but this is the first time I've had the need to run 3.3v:

http://cgi.ebay.com/iCP01-USB-Microchip-PIC-Programmer-Tiny-Low-Price-/270643146343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0396ae67

[Veramacor]

RED FACE TIME!

The Ebay link previous just gave me my answer:

"3.3V supply, J-Series and in-Circuit Debugging mode are not supported"


Dammit Jim-  I'm a Doctor, not a manual reader!

[Simon]

 it's just a cheap and nasty device that will get a basic job done with no frills, probably has the basis of the pickit2 in the firmware but that's it, I think not bothering with a case and just shrink sleeving the whole thing is clue enough that it's a cheapo thing you can't expect wonders from

[Veramacor]

So I will probably go for a pickit2 clone as I dont use mplab at all.  I really like the standalone pickit2 software.  I actually am using MikroE picbasic as the development platform,  and they have their own programmer,  but they want $90US for it.  

Is it true the Pickit 3 cannot use the standalone software and must be used with MPLAB?


I'm thinking about this clone...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Clone-Microchip-Programmer-PICkit2-/250704323467?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a5f24638b

[Zero999]

I'm using the internal oscillator of the 886.

This is the el-cheapo pickit2 clone I'm using It's worked on every Pic I tried to program,  but this is the first time I've had the need to run 3.3v:

http://cgi.ebay.com/iCP01-USB-Microchip-PIC-Programmer-Tiny-Low-Price-/270643146343?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f0396ae67

I've got one of those and consider it to be good value for money. It's cost effective and gets the job done. I'm aware of it's limitations and not being able to program 3.3V devices is one of them - it says so on the ebay page:

Features & Specification:

• Low cost, small size , high performance and user friendly device
• USB plug and play function
• No external power supply is required
• Used for programming the popular Flash PIC MCU, includes PIC10F, PIC12F, PIC16F, PIC18F and dsPIC30 family
• Compatible with Microchip's PICkit 2 and MPLAB IDE
• Supported operating systems (32bit/64bit): Windows XP ,Windows Vista and Windows 7
• Excellent flexibility that allows using in both PC desktop and laptop
• 5V operating voltage only
• 3.3V supply, J-Series and in-Circuit Debugging mode are not supported
  
• USB cable is NOT provided to save material and shipping cost .Please visit www.piccircuit.com to get extra USB cable option.
  

There is a version which supports 3.3V devices, but it's not available on ebay and has to be purchased from the piccircuit website.
http://www.piccircuit.com/product.php?id_product=55

If you don't already have the adaptor (the board with a turquoise ZIF socket), I recommend buying the bundle.
http://www.piccircuit.com/product.php?id_product=56

I'm beginning to thing I should've bought the 3.3V version in the first place, it wasn't that much more expensive  and even though I don't have any 3.3V devices at the moment but that could change.

[Jon Chandler]

you will probably have to get it off ebay possibly second hand, I don't think they are made any more....

I'm not sure what the official Microchip word is, but Digikey has over 2000 PICkit 2s in stock in various packages.  The rumors of its death are greatly exaggerated.

[Simon]

well obviously until stock runs out they will be around but it will some day

[Jon Chandler]

well obviously until stock runs out they will be around but it will some day

Well Simon, how about over 1500 available at Microchip NOW with more stock expected by October 18?

That's at least 3500 that you can order today.  Doesn't seem to be a need to go looking for a used PICkit 2 on ebay any time soon.

[Simon]

well that's a comfort, I thought they planned on ditching it, I bet when the pickit3 was found to be an initial disaster sales of pickit2 skyrocketed because people feared it was their last chance to get a 2

[Jon Chandler]

I definitely wouldn't trade in my PICkit 2 for a '3 yet.  I suppose I'll be forced to "upgrade" at some point but the features lacking in the PICkit 3 are important to me.

[Simon]

well while playing around with 12 and 16 possibly 18 series I can't see the point of upgrading and would hope that microchip keep updating 2 (but then that obliterates 2 ? sounds like microsoft all over again)

[Veramacor]

Many pickit2 in stock at digikey confirmed.

Any one know where I can get a ribbon cable much like the el-cheapo clone has?  I've grown accustomed to its ease of use (my ICSP pins stand straight up) and I'd prefer not to balance the pickit2

I suppose I could make my own cable out of old computer ribbon cable.  Digikey's stock bundles don't seem to carry the ribbon with their offerings...