I have this cable, that I've used for the Arduino Pro Mini 5 volt version. But my next neat little project would be better off with the pro mini 3.3 version. It'll likely just be a one time deal with this lower voltage pro mini, so I hate to buy the 3.3 volt FTDI cable for one use.
I've heard of ways to use diodes to take care of mismatched sensors or something. Would there be a way to breadboards this cable to a few extra components to make it work with the 3.3 volt version?
Are you going to use this cable as the voltage source for the project?
Or just looking to program the promini independent of the rest of the project?
Just looking to program it...
You can just use the 5v cable you have to program either 5v or 3.3v arduino. Both will work with no issues. In fact the 3.3v cable puts out 5v on the vcc line IN to the target board. If you have any doubt, just temporally remove the vcc red wire from the 6-way header and connect it to the raw in pin on the mini pro. That will feed 5v to the inboard regulator that supplies 3v3 to the board.
Texy
Thanks.
Texy:
You can just use the 5v cable you have to program either 5v or 3.3v arduino. Both will work with no issues.
The issue here is that the board typically will be connnected to 3V3 peripheral circutry during development and although the mini can be powered from 5V, the rest of the circuitry may not. Also you want to use the FTDI/serial interface for debugging (Serial.print) during development.
Add a voltage divider (3k3, 1k8) on the mini Rx line for your 3V3 designs and you should be fine.