Making and programing an arduino.

Projects General Guidance
1

I am trying new things, including buying the components and setting up my own arduino (Derkduino?). I have a couple questions on it. I purchased an atmega 328 with a bootloader already included. I have set it up using a handy tutorial (http://arduino.cc/en/Main/Standalone), except for the usb to serial breakout module (which I don't have). I am powering an atmega 1280 (didn't build it, bought it) with a 9V power source that plugs into the wall. The 328 will be in charge of an LCD. The questions:

  1. How can I upload new code to the 328? I found this (http://www.amazon.com/3-3v-Header-like-FTDI-TTL-232R-3V3/dp/B004LBXO2A/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top), but I'm not sure about it. Would it be able to power the arduino too?

  2. What are good options for powering the 328, if the above is a bad idea? Would a 5V cell phone charger (with the original connector chopped off) be ok if I figure out which wire is +5v? Or is there a more appropriate (and hopefully inexpensive) option?

As always, thanks for the support. It's greatly appreciated.

2

1: See the section of http://arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/ArduinoToBreadboard titled "Uploading Using an Arduino Board"

2: You can use the +5V pin of the Arduino Mega 128 as shown in the page above.

If you use a cellphone charger, pick one with a mini-USB or micro-USB connector. If you cut the cable open you should find Red (+5), Black (Ground), Green and Yellow (data) wires.

3

I looked at that tutorial. I wasn't sure if it applied since it tells me to remove the microprocessor from the current arduino. I can't really do that. Also, thanks for the charger tip. I am trying to remove the larger and underutilized atmega 1280 and free it up for something more worthy of its size.

4

Derkatwork:
I looked at that tutorial. I wasn't sure if it applied since it tells me to remove the microprocessor from the current arduino. I can't really do that. Also, thanks for the charger tip. I am trying to remove the larger and underutilized atmega 1280 and free it up for something more worthy of its size.

As an alternative to removing the chip you can add a jumper between the Reset pin and the Ground pin. This will hold the ATmega in reset and free the USB-to-Serial hardware to talk to the target machine.

5

You are a helpful and smart person. You get two karma points today. :smiley: