Why not go all the way get rid of the bridge rectifier
and put your program in the main loop

peter@cousens.her.forthnet.gr

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Andy Kunz wrote:

> You can operate a PIC by providing power through I/O pins.  And if you make
> your program smart enough, you can even do better.  Consider, for example,
> the following:
>
> On an 18-pin PIC, connect /MCLR to Vcc, leave GND unconnected (or tied to
> your circuit).  Pins 9 and 10 will be our NON-POLARIZED power pins (either
> pin can go either way).
>
> PWR_A   equ     PORTB.3         ; Pic a pin, any pin...
> PWB_B   equ     PORTB.4
>
>         org     0
>         bsf     RP0
>         movlw   255
>         movwf   TRISB
>         bcf     RP0
>
>         btfss   PWR_A                   ; Is PWR_A pin high?
>         goto    A_GND                   ;       No, it's ground
>         btfsc   PWR_B                   ; Is PWR_B pin high?
>         goto    0                       ;       No, something's wrong - power
 on different pins
>
> B_GND
>         bsf     PWR_A                   ; Connect A pin to + supply
>         bcf     PWR_B                   ; Connect B pin to GND supply
>         goto    SET_POWER
> A_GND
>         bcf     PWR_A                   ; Connect A pin to GND supply
>         bsf     PWR_B                   ; Connect B pin to + supply
> SET_POWER
>         movlw   11100111b               ; Turn these pins to outputs
>         movwf   TRISB
>
> Loop    goto    Loop                    ; Put your program here
>
> Maybe Mchip doesn't recommend it, but with the lower power it takes to run
> a PIC and the high current ratings on the pins, it DOES work just fine.
>
> Go ahead, try it!
>
> Andy
>
> ==================================================================
> Andy Kunz - Montana Design - 409 S 6th St - Phillipsburg, NJ 08865
>           Hardware & Software for Industry & R/C Hobbies
>         "Go fast, turn right, and keep the wet side down!"
> ==================================================================