> Reverse-inserted batteries promptly go flat. "Darn batteries!" >Properly inserted ones last for "ages". Appliance always works if >good batteries inserted correctly. This is the "teaching" approach. Why not just power the PIC through it's I/O pins. If you are dealing with low current, this works great. For instance, if RB.0 and RB.1 are your "power" pins (tie MCLR to regular VCC pin!) movf RB,0 movwf RB bsf RP0 movlw xxxxxx00 movwf RB bcf RP0 This will cause your power rails to be connected about as directly as possible, and still not have to worry about battery polarity. If you're smart about it, you can power your entire circuit _through_ the PIC if you keep the currents low. Andy ================================================================== Montana Design Tech Support - http://www.montanadesign.com ==================================================================