Power supply and downloading via USB 2

[Woka]

Hi

Does anyone know if there is a way to supply power to a Picaxe system and download a program via a USB 2.0 B cable, same as the Arduino?

I am looking for a classroom solution without going through a lot of batteries or putting in additional powerpoints.

Woka:confused

 

[lbenson]

You can certainly power a picaxe with a usb serial ttl adaptor like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-to-TTL-module-STC-download-upgrade-board-PL2303-USB-to-serial-/170896715670?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27ca3cef96

You can probably program it as well, perhaps with a change in the 22k and 10k download circuit resistors, but I haven't tried that.

For a school setting, you might consider the issue of a bad circuit shorting out the usb power supply (some sources have current-limited shutdown). 3 AA batteries in a case make a very safe power supply.