P16PRO Hardware Serial-Mode PIC Programmers

Our P16PRO Serial-Mode Programmers (Order Codes 3096 and 3119) are designed for use with either the P16PRO DOS software or the PICALLW Windows software. Please refer to our software registration page for details.

3096 - P16PRO Serial-Mode PIC Programmer (8 to 40 Pin)

One of our best selling PIC programmers. Programs a wide range of 8 to 40 pin serial-mode programmed microcontrollers. Connects to the PC parallel (printer) port and is designed for use with the P16PRO DOS/WINDOWS software.
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Your P16PRO Hardware Questions Answered

QUESTION: What if I have no experience of programming PIC chips?
ANSWER: Read our Beginners Guide To Using a PIC Programmer. This step-by step guide will take you through using the P16PRO software for the first time.

QUESTION: How do I set-up my PIC programmer?
ANSWER: Refer to the Manual.txt help file that is provided with the software.

Question: What disadvantages do the P16PRO hardware programmer (kit 3096) have compared to PICALL hardware programmers (kit 3144)?
Answer: They will not program the parallel PICs: PIC16C54, PIC16C55, PIC16C56, PIC16C57, and the PIC16C58. And they will not program the Atmel AVR devices. They programs all 12 14 & 16 series programmed PICs.

Question: What do you mean serial & parallel PICs?
Answer: In parallel PICs data is presented at 8 pins then another pin has the programming voltage toggled on it to read the data in/out. In serial PICs the data just goes in/out on one pin using a RS232 protocol for example. You save 7 pins. The PIC IC can be physically smaller.
Do not confuse these programming methods with the serial port and parallel ports of a PC. To repeat, a serial programmed PICs refers to the programming algorithm by which data enters the PIC. In this method the data bytes are entered serially onto 1 pin (like a shift register) and the 13V programming voltage is toggled onto a programming pin to latch and burn the byte. In the parallel programming method the whole byte is presented on an 8 pin port then the programming voltage is toggled.

Question: Is a FREEWARE version of the software available?
Answer: Yes. P16PRO Light Software is provided as FREEWARE, but only for private, non-commercial use !!! (that means at home). You can download the P16PRO Light - FREEWARE for programming PIC16C84 and PIC16F84 here.

Question: Is the software out-of-date when new PIC chips are issued?
Answer: No. New chips are easily added to the DEVICE.INI file of the software. New software will be available from our Downloads page.

Question: Apart from the kit price, what other costs are involved?
Answer: This cost covers the kit of parts and the single-sided PCB. Please see our page Ordering Information for shipping charges. You have to download the latest version of the software from our Downloads page. The software is limited to programming the first 256 bytes of a program. To remove this limitation you will need to register the software.

Question: How long does it take to send to me?
Answer: We usually send the kit the same day as your order arrives. Airmail to most countries is 7-14 days. You are liable to pay import duty but virtually all countries do not bother with small envelopes under about £100 in value.

Question: What if I have problems with construction?
Answer: You are unlikely to run into any problems as this kit is quite easy to construct. Or simply buy the ready built version and save yourself the time and hassle of construction.

Question: What if I don't know anything about programming PIC's?
Answer: If you only want to write existing software code to a PIC then you should have no problems. Just connect the kit to your parallel port, plug in the power supply, install the software and away you go. To program a PIC you simply follow the onscreen instructions. All you have to do is click a few buttons and the jobs done! If you have any problems we are only a phone call or email away!

Learn to Use PIC Microcontrollers