The USB AVR Programmer does not connect the 5V from USB to the VDD pin on the programming header. Clearly there was a reason for this as many other programmers do this. I have successfully programmed devices using a 2nd USB cord hacked to provide 5V to the circuit which in turn feeds back into the programmer. Does anyone see a problem with soldering a pin header to the programmer that allows me to optionally send 5V to the circuit with a jumper? I am planning on connecting near the USB port so I’m not pulling all the power thru the small traces.
I believe the paperwork states that the programmer tells the host That it only needs the default .1A, it would be nice if the configuration utility or driver could be updated in the future to allow the device to negotiate for a higher limit if desired. Standard windows configuration will tolerate unauthorized power draw in most power plans, but it would be nice to avoid problems on machines with stingy power settings. Additionally, adding space to the PCB in a future rev for this 2 pin header could be nice.