UPDATE: Check out the special "Black & Gold Edition" Intro & Kitset Assembly Walk-Through video linked below. A celebration of the improved Black Edition TL866II Plus Programmer!

New improved design TL866 Programmer Adapter!

Allows programming of the relatively large 42 pin (and 40 pin) 16bit wide EPROM chips, popularly used for replacing original MASK ROM in 16bit devices like SNES & Sega consoles, Amiga computers, and many other cool Retro devices from the 16bit era.

The popular family of EPROM’s used for MASK ROM replacement (as they utilise a pin-out compatible with MASK ROM’s of the same size), include:

• 27C400 – 4Mb, organised as 256K x 16bit in a 40 pin DIP
• 27C800 – 8Mb, organised as 512K x 16bit in a 42 pin DIP
• 27C160 – 16Mb, organised as 1M x 16bit in a 42 pin DIP
• 27C322 – 32Mb, organised as 2M x 16bit in a 42 pin DIP

Also enables reading / back-up of those pin-out compatible MASK ROM's.

To allow programming these devices on the very popular TL866 series of USB EPROM Programmers, you simply insert this adapter into the TL866's 40pin ZIF socket and select the device to be programmed as the TL866 supported 27C4096 4Mb (JEDEC pin-out) EPROM. Programming is completed in 4Mb banks, selected via the Bank Select switch.

Why did I make this?

When I needed to read some 16 bit Mask ROM's and program some 27C322 EPROM replacements, I searched for a suitable adapter for my TL866 USB Programmer. But, I could only find adapters which were based on tedious and human error-prone, binary DIL switch or jumper selections for the additional 3 address lines (required for accessing the large 42 pin 32Mb 27C322 etc.).

Aside from being unimpressed with existing adapters, they were also currently unavailable.

However, even if one had been available to buy, I likely would still have been driven to design a better, and easier to use solution!

This design incorporates a number of improvements over previously available Adapters:

• A simple and intuitive single “Bank Select” switch for quick, easy, and error-free selection of which memory bank to program (No tedious binary jumpers or DIL switches to toggle!).
• A clearly labeled slide switch for “Device Select”, for easy visual indication of the currently selected device.
• The Adapter’s ZIF socket is positioned over the TL866’s ZIF socket and sits nicely balanced, with the board edge nicely aligned with the edge of the TL866’s case.

Special "Black & Gold Edition" option

The popular TL866II Plus Programmer was recently offered in a special Black Edition.

This special Black Edition includes a much higher quality "Aries" branded Zero Insertion Force socket.

To celebrate this, I've decided to offer a special "Black & Gold Edition" of my TL866 Programmer Adapter.

Full details can be found in the "Black & Gold Edition" Intro & Kitset Assembly Walk-Through video (linked below), and also in the Kitset Option bill of materials (listed below).

I hope you like this special "Black & Gold Edition" as much as I do.

Adapter operation verified with TL866CS, TL866A, and also with the latest TL866II Plus model!

Adapter has been specifically designed to work with the popular TL866 series of USB EPROM Programmers (e.g. TL866CS / TL866A / TL866II Plus), but may also be applicable to other 27C4096 compatible 40pin EPROM programmers.

For Tindie I'm now offering as an Easy to Assemble Kitset, or Fully Assembled & Tested

To make the Adapter available at the lowest price, for Tindie hobbyists to easily assemble, I've packaged as a kitset requiring only the soldering of the through-hole parts.

The Adapter design includes 7 tiny SMD (Surface Mount Device) components, which many hobbyists find difficult to solder without specialist tools. So, I've pre-fitted and tested the SMD components on the PCB!

Assembly of the remaining through-hole DIL socket, slide switch, specialist rotary encoded switch, and pin headers, should be straight-forward using just a regular electronics bench soldering iron!

If however you would prefer your Adapter Fully Assembled and Tested. Ready to Go! Then there is that option, for just a small additional assembly and testing fee.

Proven Design, but Kitset Assembly is obviously in you hands!

I have already sold a number of these (all pre-assembled and QC tested), to retro gaming and computer enthusiasts, all around the world. All with 100% satisfaction and absolutely zero problems!

The design has also evolved through v1.0, v1.1, and now v1.2. Each version update has been purely to satisfy my own perfectionist need to make small incremental tweaks to the design and board trace routing etc. But I think I'm finally done, and "perfectionist satisfied", with v1.2. :-)

Given the proven design, the only issue with introducing a Kitset version, is that I have no control over the final assembly that will be done by you!

So, I only recommend you tackle the Kitset version if you have full confidence in your soldering ability, as you'll obviously also need to tackle any fault finding resulting from any dodgy soldering!

But of course, I'm sure your soldering skills are possibly even better than mine! And, it's all part of the fun of being a maker! :-)

YouTube Kitset Assembly Walk-Through / Adapter Intro & Demonstration Videos

• Regular Kitset Assembly Walk-Through video here.

• "Black & Gold Edition" Intro & Kitset Assembly Walk-Through video here.

• Adapter Intro & Demonstration video here.

NOTE: The Adapter Intro & Demonstration video shows the original v1.0 flush "screwdriver only" Bank Select version, but is otherwise functionally identical.

More information can also be found at digicoolthings.com here.

Offer and Shipping Details

NOTE: Listing is for the Adapter only, as shown in main photo. TL866 Programmer and EPROM is not included. Additional photos show TL866 programmer and EPROM only for illustration of Adapter usage.

Regular Kitset option includes:

• 1x PCB with all SMD components pre-soldered and tested
• 1x 48-pin ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) DIL Socket
• 1x Rotary Encoded Switch (Bank Select)
• 1x DPDT Slide Switch (Device Select)
• 40-pin SIL Header for 2x 20-pin SIL Header Strips (Programmer ZIF socket mount)

"Black & Gold" Kitset option includes:

• 1x PCB with all SMD components pre-soldered and tested
• 1x High Quality Black Aries 48-pin ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) DIL Socket
• 2x High Quality Machined Round Pin 24-pin IC Sockets
• 1x Rotary Encoded Switch (Bank Select)
• 1x DPDT Slide Switch (Device Select)
• 40-pin High Quality Round Pin Gold Plated SIL Header for 2x 20-pin SIL Header Strips (Programmer ZIF socket mount)

Assembled & Tested option includes:

• 1x Fully Assembled and QC Tested Adapter (Ready to Go!)

Adapter is shipped in a cardboard carton with robust packing, for safe delivery via New Zealand International Air Parcel. Delivery target to most countries is 10 working days (BRAZIL buyers please refer note below!).

BRAZIL based buyers: Based on feedback, Brazil based buyers have experienced from 50 days to 113 days (PARANÁ state) for delivery. I am happy to continue to ship to Brazil based buyers, but please only proceed with purchase if you are happy to accept that delivery may take as long as 2 - 4 months! Thank you.

Recent Buyer Feedback examples:

"Better than other models I've tried! The rotary switch is SUPERIOR!”

"Thanks. It looks like you have the best design out there.”

"Amazing seller, great communication, well made product”

"Great seller, the shipping was super fast and the item is exactly what I needed."

"The most overkill packing of all time, zero chance of damage :0 perfect seller."