Are ICSP headers necessary on shields for basic projects?

Other Hardware General Electronics
1

I'm soldering a proto shield and soldered the ICSP header at an angle so I'm trying to get it off, having some trouble (haven't gotten the solder pump down yet) so thinking of ditching it and pulling the plastic off so it's easier to remove. Is it necessary for basic projects? I'll get replacement one later on

2

I'd venture that most never use that connector at all. It can be used to burn a bootloader to the microprocessor or to burn the program without a bootloader.

3

No, unless the shield uses it or passes it on to another that does.

All the ICSP pins are available elsewhere anyway. It's just a convenient grouping.

4

jet_flyer:
the ICSP header at an angle so I'm trying to get it off, having some trouble (haven't gotten the solder pump down yet)...

Put the board in a vise.
Heat the pin and the solder joint and then, while keeping the heat on, grab the pin from the other side with a pliers and it will pull out easy.

5

the plastic is keeping them from being removed easily, will have to just cut the plastic apart so I can de-solder one at a time (cant easily do all 6 at once lol)

6

jet_flyer:
the plastic is keeping them from being removed easily, will have to just cut the plastic apart so I can de-solder one at a time (cant easily do all 6 at once lol)

I've done it as I described many, many times. Sometimes they put a little hitch in the pin to keep from pushing through casually, but, either way, heat softens the plastic such that it's no issue.

Still, with the "solder-blob" method, you should be able to heat all 6 and pull them out as one by gripping the plastic header with a pliers.

7

Ill try that, I did notice them shift a little when heating it up