I tried the Cheapest Arduino Alternative (that Nobody heard of)

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You can download my created code here:

In this video we will be having a look at another Arduino Microcontroller alternative: the Holtek Microcontrollers from Taiwan. These are some of the cheapest microcontrollers you can get and they offer lots of useful features. So how easy are they to program and would I recommend using them? Let's find out!

Useful Websites for Holtek Programming:

Thanks to JLCPCB for sponsoring this video.

0:00 I need a CHEAP uC!
1:40 Intro
2:30 What features do we need?
3:42 HT66F002 Feature Overview
4:17 How to Program it?
5:15 Output Feature Blink
7:07 Input Feature
7:48 PWM Feature
9:04 ADC Feature
10:07 Sleep Mode (Low Power)
10:45 I2C Problem!
11:53 Verdict

[bigclivedotcom]

It was so close to programming in raw assembly code that you might have been able to bit-bash your I2C functionality. Even on the smaller chip.
The watchdog was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the way the LED was behaving. Every time you move to a new microcontroller there's a bit of a learning curve.

[R.Daneel]

Watchdog timers are brilliant when used properly - deserving of a video of their own.
Basically, inside your loops you reset the timer. If your program crashes, it won't reset the timer and the watchdog circuit will reset the whole device. Absolutely fantastic for circuits that aren't easily accessible in particular.

[mikeselectricstuff]

I2C master is trivially simple to bit-bash, no need for a hardware peripheral

[kiranshila]

I feel like a little RISCV chip makes a lot of sense here, like the CH32V003. It’s even cheaper than your $0.20 part and can work as an I2C controller.

[CuriousScientist]

CH32V003F4P6 - $0.21 per piece
48 MHz, 16k flash, 2k RAM, 18 GPIO, SPI, i2c, USART...etc.
You are welcome!
If you need less hardware and want to have an even smaller form factor, then CH32V003J4M6 comes in a SOP-8 package. It beats ATTiny85 in specs.

[cthree]

I use the ATTiny85 MCUs which can be programmed using an Arduino and works great with the Arduino IDE. Once programmed in a DIY ZIF Arduino programming shield require no additional components. The V models run on 1.8V/300uA @ 1 MHz in low power mode with 0.1uA in standby and you can boost the clock to 10Mhz with 2.7V.

I only use Arduinos for prototyping and then design my production boards using an ATTiny instead. I keep a tube around they are super handy. They cost $13 per 100 or $1.30ish each. Not as cheap for mass production but the hassle for under 1000 units isn’t worth the time or effort of a custom MCU and IDE.

[KevinDC]

NOT a pointless video at all! Ive been following the channel for a few years now and I always appreciate the ones like this! The ones where you put in the hard tedious work to show us something *new/not well known. Cheers from Texas!

[MrMartinB]

The programming pin names OCDSDA and OCDCLK do hint at On Chip Debugging, the IDE even has a Debug menu. It might support breakpoints, much better than using Serial.print

[freespam]

in our microcontroller programming course we had to program like first few weeks in assembly language - it really made people appropriate how much higher level languages with proper libraries enable people to do with much less effort

[SimonCoates]

You've confused me. You are trying to save 14 x €2 on your project but then purchase a €100 programmer 🤔

[steveroberts]

I came across the Attiny85 recently after many years of projects with atmega328s and it certainly has made a difference for smaller projects for both cost and size.

[meathewchan]

I2C can use DI/DO pin with software coding to create one, please see the protocol of I2C, hardware I2C pins are not necessary.

[mikeselectricstuff]

CH32V003 would be a good fit - there is an 8 pin version, £0.18 at LCSC. very cheap programmer, 1 pin for programming.

[jankoboys]

You are truly an inspiration for me. You gave me the courage to start in electronics in my late 30's as a hobby and I really enjoy it. Thank you 😊

[AnotherBrokenToaster]

If you have GPIOs and are using PWM through a timer, it's not too difficult to implement i2c master in SW, much less simple to implement slave which is probably why they have it on some versions.

[labomat]

Actually this video demonstrates nicely why Arduino was such a game changer. The time for learning and debugging will never justify the price savings in an hobbyist environment.

[梁鹏-vm]

The MCU of air001 produced by a Chinese company named hezhou is only sold for $0.1, supporting Arduino, with the following performance:

- Adopts the MO+ core of ARM 32-bit, and the main frequency can reach 48MHz;
- 4K RAM + 32K Flash;
- Ultra-wide power supply range of 1.7~5.5V, which can be powered directly by USB or battery;
- Built-in configurable RC oscillators of 4/8/16/22.12/24MHz, which can run at 48MHz without external crystals;
- A 12-bit ADC, supporting 9 input channels;
- 9 timers, 2 USARTs, 2 SPIs, 1 I12C, 2 comparators, very rich peripherals;
- 3-channel DMA, efficient data processing;
- Standby power consumption as low as 2μA.

[fujihita]

I have always run with ESP-01 I bought for $0.5 a pop off aliexpress for cheap Arduino replacement but good to know there are even cheaper alternatives. Everything suggested in the comments is useful as well. It's good that you made this video.

[pyromaniac]

Great to see you're using my Instructables guide! To be honest I never thought anyone would read it 😂 I've been using Holtek for years mostly on commercial products and always found them great for the price. Keep up the great videos!

On another point, maybe you could bit-bash the I2C, but it will be a difficult task.

[JxH]

Yep. Right on schedule: Exactly at 6:45 of a 13m30s video (50.0%) the 'Blink' is finally working.
I've said this for years: Getting 'Blink' (or 'Hello World') to work is typically the *halfway* point of any small project in any new µC ecosystem. Not usually so precise.
That's why Arduino, which includes 'Blink' from the start, has such an easy learning curve.
Everyone should understand this point; it's important for planning and scheduling.