I have a question about This FT programmer …. is it`s cable connector compatible with this layout?
I got 2 SOIC 8 pin clip from Ebay and both came damaged, and since i am boored of waiting i have decided to DIY one from those 2
If they are, how shall i connect them to the clip directly, bypassing the clips own cables, which in my case are damaged? FOllowing the method in the first post or else?
I just used a generic ribbon cable and connected it directly to the clip according to pinouts I found online. The result looks like this (note, in the pic it’s missing one pin… I need a new picture):
The pin layouts are described here…
http://flashlightwiki.com/AVR_Drivers#Set_up_your_clip
I just want to say that I was successful in programming the flashlight. Yay. I thought I couldnt do it because in these chip programming scenarios there’s usually something that has to be fixed or changed in order to make stuff work. Thankfully it just worked.
Some of the firmware doesnt work but some works. I have a Convoy S2. The one that works for me is STAR version 1.2. I think the driver does not have any stars.
I have to try to fix a few things in the program. I think its not activating the max power mode. I also have to put some hot melt on the wires or they will break soon (after being bent many times as I take the driver in and out) and then I’ll have to re-solder them.
Thanks to everyone on this forum who has made guides on how to do stuff.
10x to the OP and the Toykeeper i made and flashed my first 2 drivers today!
Thanks of all the usefull info and help guys
Some tips from me:
- if you have the option, dont buy from those cheap Ebay clips, i bought 3 from 3 different sellers, and they all got various issues- and the main issues came form the cables , not the clip itself
- keep your cables as short as possible- especialy if they are cheap ones, i had an issue with error 0x00000000 for too long cables
I'm just getting started setting up my clip and noticed this same issue! My wiring into the connector end of the clip is flipped! Im guessing yoh took the ribbon cable out and flipped it over? If I don't do that I dont see how it will work. Ugh! And this connector cant handle being taken apart too many times! Think I'm going to get those separate ribbon cables (linked at Fastech but I'll look around) on order.
-Garry
Yep I took the ribbon out and flipped it over. I broke the connector in the process, but it held up ok.
The clip itself stopped working recently, so I just ordered the pomona clip and the separate ribbon cable to do what Hoop had to do in his 2nd post. I ordered from digikey so I wouldn’t have to wait for china>usa shipping. It was at my door in 3 days.
Thanks for such a quick response! If I get the connector wired I may just super glue it for now. I also thought about using the cable that came with the programmer and just rewiring the opposite end to the clip, but I don't know if that's any easier/better to do. I did find the female-female jumper ribbon cable on Ebay in the US for $3.75. Just search "ribbon cable female" and you'll find them.
If I'm successful with this clip I'll likely move up to the Pomona clip.
Thanks!
-Garry
Ok, moving the ribbon cable and resetting it in didn't go too bad. Took a couple tries to get a good solid connection. Those pins are fragile! I can see that the other end where the pins slide into the clip (cheap ebay clip) don't make such good contact. Too bad you can't get in there to solder them.
-Garry
Yeah that’s where I think my clip went bad. The pomona clip has pins sticking out to connect to, instead of female sockets. It’s really expensive for such a small piece, but with the amount of flashing I do it is worth it. However, I don’t regret buying the cheap clip first because I didn’t know I would end up using it this much.
This happened to me again, and this time clearly is not any diode at fault. Flashed the firmware, nothing works but if I put the SOIC clip on it and input the test command avrdude -p t13 -c usbasp -n it changes modes like the command is the switch. What is it, some fuse issue or what?
I know, its an old thread but I just have to say it:
Mind BLOWN! Im just finding out you can program nanjg drivers.
this is a whole other can of worms. lol
Me too! I’m so thankful for everyone for this thread; this changes everything for me.
Nanjg drivers are actually pretty awesome after reflashing them. 
Even more awesome after reflashing and adding one little capacitor.
Woohoo! Finally got back to trying this (wired the clip up months ago) and it’s working first try! Now I just need to learn how to tweak the firmware files to get the modes/features what I want.
-Garry
For sure! Has anyone written a guide to OFFTIME memory? If not I could put a quick illustration in post #2. Sure it’s super simple to do the mod, but I just did a search and didn’t see any guides.
Also, are there any recent firmware releases that I should link to in the OP? I’ve been on a flashlight hiatus for about a year but I’m making my way back.
Hah, I’m in more or less the same boat. ToyKeeper has a firmware repository discussion thread, that’s probably the place to discuss what firmwares are best to point beginners at. Maybe it would also be good to point them at the thread - I have not read the thread so I do not know if that’s a good idea.
Personally I need to dig in at least far enough to get a version of STAR which eliminates all the solderable stars. Those just make modding the firmware more of a pain, I do not use them. I think TK or someone has already amputated those parts and posted the result somewhere.
While there are posts (probalby from RMM and/or comfychair) showing where the OTC can be installed, I don’t have links handy and I think that it would make a great addition to your post.
Alright thanks wight. I’ll put in my due diligence sometime soon and add offtime instructions and also take a gander at TK’s firmware repository thread and other threads and see what looks helpful and relevant. 
Is the Pomona 5250 still the best choice? I bought the 923650-08 (3M) which I could only use for about a hour. No connection anymore, I had to solder wires to the mcu to proceed with testing.
Just a post to thank all involved here for the information in getting started on flashing. I owe FmC more than a few beers for giving him heartburn with my inabilities to grasp simple instructions on flashing drivers in PM’s. With Toykeepers repository of firmware well and truly raided, thanks Selene, I can now flash a driver. Well I could last night, today maybe a different story. 