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pyroesp edited this page Nov 30, 2019 · 8 revisions

So you want to make it yourself, awesome!

You'll need a few things beforehand though:

  • Soldering iron and solder
  • Components, see the parts list below
  • The PCB for the mod
  • A Microchip PIC microcontroller programmer, used for flashing the firmware

There's a huge advantage in making your own. You can modify the reset combination to your liking.

Parts list:

Only two components needed for this mod: the microcontroller and one capacitor.
*Note: Digikey links are for reference. Go to your electronics supplier of choice.
1x 16F18325; 14-SOIC package
1x 0.1µF 16V; 1206 or 0.1µF 16V; 0805 or 0.1µF 16V; 0603 package

*Note: Capacitor smd sizes:

  • 1206 = 0.125 in × 0.06 in | 3.2 mm × 1.6 mm
  • 0805 = 0.080 in × 0.05 in | 2.0 mm × 1.25 mm
  • 0603 = 0.060 in × 0.03 in | 1.6 mm × 0.8 mm

If you don't have a lot of experience soldering I recommend going for the 1206.

PCB

To make the PCB you can go to your PCB manufacturer of choice, but I'll be showing the settings for a JLCPCB order:
Be aware that this is NOT lead-free, unless you change that option.

JLCPCB settings

Assemble the PCB with the two parts and you're ready for flashing the firmware.

PIC microcontroller programmer

At the time of writing I'm using a PICKit3 from Microchip, but PICKit4 is already out. There are other, maybe cheaper alternatives but I'll let you decide which one you want. As long as it can flash the PIC16F18325.

If you're going to use a PICKit, then you'll need the Integrated Programming Environment (IPE) tool from Microchip.
You can find the IPE tool by downloading the MPLAB X IDE.

To flash the firmware (hex file) into the microcontroller you need to connect the PCB to the PICKit3.
The backside of the PCB has five connection that match Microchip's In-Circuit Serial Programming (ICSP) pinout.
pcb backside

PICKit3 pinout

Then connect the PICKit to the PC. The driver should have been installed when installing MPLAB X.
You can set IPE to an advanced mode. In this mode you get many more options.
There are three options you need to set in the power menu:

  • Set the VDD voltage to 3.5V
  • Power target circuit needs to be set
  • Set the programming mode to high voltage mode

IPE settings

On the 'main menu' you can connect the PICKit if it's not done automatically.
The device should be set to PIC16F18325.

Lastly you just need to select the firmware file and program it.

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