Nixie Clock IN-14 All-In-One Specification sheet

IN-14 6-Tube Digit NIXIE Clock
Quick Setup Manual
V1.2
Version: 1.2. (03-21-2015).
Download product documentation and the related software at:
http://vfdclock.jimdo.com
You can contact me via email:
[email protected]

Contents
Notice:......................................................................................................................................................................1
Specifications:...................................................................................................................................................1
Features:.................................................................................................................................................................1
Turn Power ON/OFF..............................................................................................................................................2
Turn LED ON/OFF...................................................................................................................................................2
Quick Start Guide for setting up the current time..................................................................3
Switch display mode and change settings .........................................................................................3
1. Time Display Mode...............................................................................................................................3
2. Date Display Mode...............................................................................................................................4
3. Temperature Display Mode (Optional)....................................................................................4
4. Alarm Display Mode ............................................................................................................................5
5. Auto Power ON/OFF Display Mode................................................................................................5
6. Timing related Setting Mode (Optional).............................................................................5
7. Misc Mode..................................................................................................................................................6
7. Version Display Mode........................................................................................................................6
About the noise...........................................................................................................................................6
Infra Red (IR) Remote Controller functions:................................................................................7
6-Tube Digit Nixie Clock Operations Cheat Sheet ......................................................................8
Install the new tube.....................................................................................................................................11

1
Notice:
In order to drive the NIXIE tube, some internal equipments are under the High Voltage(up
to ~180V DC),please do not use this clock outside or in any wet conditions, please
do not touch any part inside the clock when power supply is turned on. Always keep
it away from kids.
Specifications:
Tube Name: IN-14(Made in the U.S.S.R.)
Tube Diameter: 18mm;
Tube Height: 55mm (approx including glass nipple);
Digit Height: 17mm;
Digit Width: 10mm;
Clock Supply: 5V DC via USB;
Max Current: ~650mA;
Clock Size: 198mm(L)*56mm(W)*17mm(H)(~68mm(H)with IN-14 tube installed);
PCB Size: 186mm*45mm;
PCB Color: Black;
Weight: 198g;
The clock works with any standard USB supply,use only high-quality adapter!
Features:
1).5V USB powered, easy to be used. Can connect to your computer's USB plugs directly
(* In some computers you may need to use the USB Cable that Have Two USB Connectors
at the End.).
2).High efficiency HV circuit, you got almost no heat in 24*7 working condition;
3).All SMT components, very thin PCB, only 8mm(max) high with the Top & Bottom components;
Static driving, No Blue Dot, No Flashing, High Brightness;
4).Support 12H or 24H display modes, can show "." as "A/P" in 012H time format. Leading
zero blanking is programmable.
5).Display date in all format: YY.MM.DD or DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY or even MM.YY.DD;
Can display week info too.
6).Support 7different Effects: Normal/ Fading/ Cross Fading/Slow Fading /Flash /Loop
/Random Loop for displaying time. All the segments in the IN-14 tube can be lighted
up, include the Left & right dots; Support 5 different dot effects.
7).High accuracy RTC inside, factory calibrated to ± 5ppm, ±13 seconds (Max) per month.
8).Simple setting by using 3 buttons only and supports IR remote control (optional).
9).Three alarms with weekends ON/OFF support can be controlled individually.
10).Three programmable Auto Power ON/OFF mode, can turn ON/OFF NIXIE tubes in any
time you want. This function can save tubes life.

2
11).8-level adjustable NIXIE tube bright with Auto-brightness feature (it is able
to adjust the tube brightness depending on the current environment).
12).Rechargeable Backup Battery or Farad capacitor keeps RTC running during power
outages.
13).Tri-colored RGB LED mounted under the each NIXIE tube. These LEDs can display
different colors at the same time, with a lot of pre-defined auto color change effects.
14).Store user settings in non-volatile memory.
15).Beautiful CAD designed acrylic case made using a laser cutter makes the clock
look beautiful. You can assemble/disassemble the case by using only 4 screws on the
bottom of the case. The case also has 4 bumpers as feet on the bottom of the case
in order to stop to prevent case's damage.
16).Can install Temperature Sensor(optional) ;Can install 433M wireless
module(optional) for receiving the outside info, like the wireless temperature
sensor's data and the GPS time sync data, etc.
Turn Power ON/OFF
When you plug the MINI-USB with power supply to the clock, the clock will turn on
automatically, with NIXIE tube displays current time with the LED running in breathing
mode.
In this mode ([Time display mode]), press and keep the [+] and [-] button down then
single click the [SET] button, you can turn the clock [soft power on/off]. When you
turn the clock power off, the HV supply will shutdown, and the LED will turn off,
but all the Alarms and Auto Power ON/OFF and RTC functions will still be running;
*Let the clock face to you, the left button is [SET], and the middle button is [+],the
right button is [-].
Tips: When you turn the clock [Soft power Off], and you want to peek the time, you
can just need to single click the [+] or [-] button, the clock will turn on for about
4 seconds and will turn off automatically. And if you want to turn the clock on from
the [Soft power Off],long click any keys for at least 2 seconds the clock will turn
on, then you can release the key.
Turn LED ON/OFF
In [Time display mode], single click [SET] button will switch the LED in Play/Pause/OFF
modes.
Tips: You can control the LED(s) individually, even in the [soft power off] mode.

3
Quick Start Guide for setting up the current time
When the power on, the clock displays the current time. If the time it displays is
not correct, you need to set it by yourself. Here is the quick guide for you to set
the current time.
Switch display mode and change settings
1. Time Display Mode
After power on initialization, the clock will display the current time in [HH.MM.SS.]
format, where [HH.] is the current Hours (in 00-23 or other range/style, depends on
the time format you have set), [MM.] is current Minutes (in 0~59), [SS.] is current
Seconds (in 0~59).
In this mode, after press the [SET] key down for at least 2-sec(Long Click),it will
switch to the time related setting mode, and you can short or long click the [+] and
[-] buttons to change the value, and single click the [set] button to switch to another
settings.
In this setting mode you can set:
[Display Effect: .xx.]: 00: Normal/ 01: Fading/ 02: Cross Fading/03: Slow Fading /04:
Flash /05: Loop/06: Random Loop;
When power on, the clock
displays the current
time, like 09:13:03;
Long Click
the [SET]
button
Displays
current time
effect,
ignore it.
Single Click
the [SET]
button
Single Click
the [SET]
button
Now you can set the
HOUR(S). Use [+]/[-] key
to change the number.
Single Click
the [SET]
button
Single Click
the [SET]
button
Now you can set the
MINUTE(S).Use [+]/[-]
key to change the number.
Return to
the NORMAL
TIME DISPLAY
MODE.
Single Click
the [SET]
button
Displays
current dots
effect,
ignore it.
Current time
format, 024=
24H&0-leading,
ignore it.

4
[Dots Effect: ..xx..]: 00: No dots effect/ 01: Ping-Pong A / 02: Ping-Pong B /03:
LEFT-RIGHT /04: Flash /05: All dots Fading/06: Left and Right dots Fading;
[Time Format]:24(24H without 0-leading)/024(24H with 0-leading)/12(12H)/012(12H with
0-leading)/ [.012] (12H with dot as PM);
[Set Hour]: set time hour in [0~23];
[Set Minute]: set time minute in [0~59];
*if you changed the time value (hour and (or) minute), the second will be reset to
00 automatically.
Tips: For saving the tubes life and to prevent the cathode poisoning, recommend you
set the clock to the [06: Random Loop] at least one day per month.
2. Date Display Mode
When in the [Time Display Mode], if you click the [+] button you can switch to the
[Date Display Mode]. In this mode the tube displays date in preset format, like
DDMMYY/MMDDYY/YYMMDD/YYDDMM. The year displays with left and right dots all light
up, the month displays with right dot light up. And the week displays in one single
digit;
eg: In [MMDDYY] format, the date shows like [0.5.01.1..4.] which means May.01,2014;
You can long click the [SET] button to switch to another settings, which you can set:
[DATA Format]:DDMMYY/MMDDYY/YYMMDD/YYDDMM, display in actually date info;
[Set Year]: set year in [2013~2099];
[Set Month]: set month in [01~12];
[Set Day]: set day in [01~28, 29, 30, 31],depends on the year and the month that you
have set.
*Week will be calculated automatically;
*After you finished setting all the values in this mode, you will return back to the
current display mode, then you can single click the [+] button to switch to other
mode, or single click the [SET] button to return the [Time Display Mode] immediately.
3. Temperature Display Mode (Optional)
When in the [Data Display Mode], if you click the [+] button you can switch to the
[Temperature Display Mode]. In this mode the tube displays the temperature got from
the DS18B20 sensor.
eg: The temperature date shows like [26.58 .0.] which means 25.68° C or ° F(if the
last number shows [.1.]), depending on the unit you have set; If the clock has no
DS18B20 sensor installed, it shows 00.00;
[Temperature Unit]: temperature display unit, [0] for ° C, [1] for ° F;
[Temperature error adjustment]: adjustable temperature display error adjustment value,
+-0.1° C per step. The left dot will light up when set a negative value;

5
Note: This Mode may not exist or will display 0.00 with no
temperature sensor installed!
4. Alarm Display Mode
Same, click the [+] button, switch to the [ALERT DISPLAY Mode 1/2/3];
The clock supports 3 individually alarms with weekends ON/OFF;
[.1.1 HH.MM.]/[ .00.]: displays the first alarm information. The first[.1.] means
"alarm", the next 1 means "alarm 1"(for alarm2/alarm3 shows [.1.2]&[.1.3]),the hh
& mm shows the alarm time in hour : minute, the last [.00.] shows whether the alarm
is Enable([.01.] / Disable[.00.];
Long click the [SET] button for setting the alarm information:
[Set Hour]: set alarm hour in [00~23];
[Set Minute]: set alarm minute in [00~59];
[Set Alarm Option]: 00(Alarm OFF)/01(Alarm ON)/02(Alarm ON-except weekends).
5. Auto Power ON/OFF Display Mode
Same, click the [+] button, switch to the [AUTO POWER ON/OFF DISPLAY Mode 1/2/3];
The clock supports 3 programmable Auto Power ON/OFF modes;
[.2.1 HH.MM.] / [ HH.MM.]: displays the Auto ON/OFF mode and the index num. The first
[.2.] means "Auto Power ON/OFF mode ", the next 1 means “Auto Power ON/OFF 1"(It shows
auto2 and auto3 mode like [.2.2]&[.2.3]).
And if current mode is enabled, the On/Off data will be shown in flip way automatically;
Long click the [SET] button for setting the Auto Power ON/OFF information:
[Set Enable]: set this Auto Power ON/OFF enable or disable,00(Disable)/01(Enable);
[Set Turn On Hour: 01.]: set auto turn on hour in [00~23];
[Set Turn On Minute: 02.]: set auto turn on minute in [00~59];
[Set Turn Off Hour:03.]: set auto turn off hour in [00~23];
[Set Turn Off Minute: 04.]: set auto turn off minute in [00~59];
[Nixie Brightness]: 0(Auto-Brightness)/[1~8]for brightness(8 is the brightest);
6. Timing related Setting Mode (Optional)
* If you don’t have GPS function installed, ignore it.
For timing related setting mode, it displays the [.3.] as index. And with the current
time zone setting value behind;
Long click the [SET] button you can enter the miscellanies setting mode.
[GPS Enable / Disable]: 0(Disable)/ [1](Enable);
[Time Zone Hour:.3.1.]: Set the time zone hour; The left dot will light up when set
a negative value;

6
[Time Zone Minute:.3.2.]: Set the time zone minute , selectable 00/30/50 ;
7. Misc Mode
For masc. mode, it displays the [.4.] as index.
Long click the [SET] button you can enter the miscellanies setting mode.
[Set NIXIE Brightness:.4.1.]: 0(Auto-Brightness)/[1~8] for brightness(8 is the
brightest);
[Set LED Brightness:.4.2.]: 0(Off)/[1~3] for brightness(3 is the brightest);
[Set LED Auto Change Pattern function:.4.3.]: 0(Disable)/[01]per 1Min/[10]per
10Min/[30] per 30Min/[60] per 1hour;
[Click Beep Enable:.4.4.]: 0(Disable)/1(Enable);
[Set Beep Alert Style:.4.5.]: [0~3] for 4 different beep style;
[Set Alarm Beep Loop Times:.4.6.]: in [05~99] range;
[Set Middle dots display methord:.4.7.]:[..]On 1 sec/[ ..]On half sec/[....]Always
On/[____(Empty)]Always Off;
7. Version Display Mode
For this mode it displays the version num on NIXIE tube, like [.5. 1.00.] means current
software version is 1.00;
Long click the [SET] button to enter the setting mode:
[.5.1.XXXX] IR Test Mode; It will display the decoded value of infrared codes; Can
be used to determine weather the infrared remote control is working properly;
[Reset All]: Set this number to [01], then click the [set] button, all the settings
will be reset to the default, and the clock will reboot itself when finished.
About the noise
We use the PWM signal to adjust the NIXIE tubes' brightness; some tubes do sound when
you set to the lower brightness levels because of the segments inside the NIXIE tube
seems not installed very tightly. We can't change the tubes structure but we will
try our best to reduce this noise by changing the PWM frequency.
Tips: When you set the clock to the highest brightness level (level:8),you can stop
the noise immediately, because in this level, it does not use the PWM signal.

7
Infra Red (IR) Remote Controller functions:
Power: Press the button to shut down/turn on the
clock.
Menu: Press the button to enter the setting menu
of the current display mode.
Mute: Press for mute the buzzer.
Mode: Press the button to switch the time display
effects.
Return [<-']: Press the button to return the [Time
display mode] directly.
[+]: Press to change values in ascending order.
[-]: Press to change values in descending order.
Previous [>>|]: Press the button to go back to the
previous menu.
Next [|<<]: Press the button to go to the next menu.
PLAY [>||]: Press the button to switch the LED in
Off/Pause/Off modes.
OK: Press the button to switch the LED color.
[0~9]: Press the buttons to change the values
directly.
Tips:
Any IR keys can turn on the nixie clock for about
3 seconds when the clock is on the soft power off
mode;
If you are trying to use the remote control for the
first time, unplug the plastic film in the battery
case.
If there is no battery included, place a CR2025 battery by yourself, and make sure
the battery is placed at the right polarity according to the marking on the battery
holder.
Make sure the batteries in the remote control are fresh.
*To insert the battery into the remote control, follow the instructions printed on
the back side of the remote control.

8
6-Tube Digit Nixie Clock Operations Cheat Sheet
1st
Level
2nd Level 3rd
Level
Operation set with [+]
Long
[SET]
Enter Time Display Mode [.0.x]
[Display Effect 0:x]:
00:Normal/01:Fading/02:Cross Fading/03:Slow
Fading /04:Flash /05:Loop/06:Random Loop;
[SET] [Dots Effect: ..xx..]: 00: No dots effect/ 01:
Ping-Pong A / 02: Ping-Pong B /03: LEFT-RIGHT /04:
Flash /05: All dots Fading/06: Left and Right dots
Fading;
[SET] [Time Format]: 24(24H without 0-leading)
/024(24H with 0-leading)/12(12H)/012(12H with
0-leading)/ [.012] (12H with dot as PM);
[SET] [Set Hour]: set time hour in [0~23];
[SET] [Set Minute]:set time minute in [0~59];
[SET] Return to Time display
[+] Date Display
Long
[SET]
Date Display Mode:
[DATA Format]:
(DMMYY)/(MMDDYY)/(YYMMDD)/(YYDDMM);
[SET] [Set Year]: set year in [2013.~2099];
[SET] [Set Month]: set month in [01~12];
[SET] [Set Day]: set day in [01~28,29,30,31],depends on
the year and the month that you have set.
[SET] Return to Date display
[+] Temperature Display Mode
Long
[SET]
[Temperature Unit]: temperature display unit,
[0] for ° C,[1] for ° F ;
[SET] [Temperature error adjustment]: step+-0.1° C
[SET] Return to Temperature Display Mode
[+] Alarm 1 [.1.1 HH.MM.]
Long
[SET]
[Set Hour]: set alarm hour in [00~23];
[SET] [Set Minute]: set alarm minute in [00~59];
[SET] [Set Alarm Option]: 0(Alarm OFF)/1(Alarm
ON)/2(Alarm ON-except weekends).
[SET] Return
[+] Alarm 2 [.1.2 HH.MM.] (Set options same as above)
[+] Alarm 3 [.1.3 HH.MM.] (Set options same as above)
[+] Auto Power ON/OFF Display Mode 1 [.2.1 ]
Long
[SET]
[Set Enable]: set this Auto Power ON/OFF enable or
disable: 0(Disable)/1(Enable);

9
[SET] [Set Turn On Hour]: set auto turn on hour in [00~23];
[SET] [Set Turn On Minute]: set auto turn on minute in
[00~59];
[SET] [Set Turn Off Hour]: set auto turn off hour in
[00~23];
[SET] [Set Turn Off Minute]: set auto turn off minute in
[00~59];
[SET] [Nixie Brightness]: 0(Auto-Brightness)/[1~8]for
brightness(8 is the brightest);
[SET] Return
[+] Auto Power ON/OFF Display Mode 2 [.2.2 ] (Set options
same as above)
[+] Auto Power ON/OFF Display Mode 3 [.2.3 ] (Set options
same as above)
[+]
Timing related Setting Mode [.3.]
Long
[SET]
[GPS Enable / Disable]: 0(Disable)/ [1](Enable);
[SET]
[Time Zone Hour:.3.1.]: Set the time zone hour;
The left dot will light up when set a negative
value;
[SET]
[Time Zone Minute:.3.2.]: Set the time zone
minute , selectable 00/30/50 ;
[SET] Return
[+] Misc. Mode [.4.]
Long
[SET]
[Set NIXIE Brightness.4.1.]:
0(Auto-Brightness)/[1~8] for brightness(8 is the
brightest);
[SET] [Set LED Brightness:.4.2.]: 0(Off)/[1~3] for
brightness(3 is the brightest);
[SET] [Set LED Auto Change Pattern function:.4.3.]:
0(Disable)/[01]per 1Min/[10]per 10Min/[30] per
30Min/[60] per 1hour;
[SET] [Click Beep Enable:.4.4.]: 0(Disable)/1(Enable);
[SET] [Set Beep Alert Style:.4.5.]: [0~3] for 4 different
beep style;
[SET] [Set Alarm Beep Loop Times:.4.6.]: in [05~99] range;
[SET] [Set Middle dots display methord:.4.7.]:
[..]On 1 sec/[ ..]On half sec/[....]Always On/
[____(Empty)]Always Off;
[SET] Return
[+] Version Display Mode [.5. 1.0.]
Long
[SET]
[IR Test Mode .5.1.]: Shows the IR remoter code which
you pressed. You can test your IR remote controller
in this mode;
[SET] [Reset All]: Set this number to [1], then click the
[set] button, all the settings will be reset to the

10
default, and the clock will auto reboot itself when
finished.
[SET]=Left Button; [+]= Middle Button; [-]= Right Button;

11
Install the new tube
If you want to change the tube or install the new tube by yourself. here is the step:
1. Cut the IN-14 NIXIE tube's legs
into right length, usually 10mm
length is recommended. Then use
"needle-nose pliers" or other tools
to make all the legs straight, make
sure all the legs is clean, contain
no soldering tin or other stuffs.
Tip 1: If possible, use scissors to
cut the end of the legs in 45 degree
sharp edge(make sure the edge is
clean);
Tip 2: Cut some legs in a little bit
long, and others in a little bit short, will be easier for installing.
2. Plug all the legs into the socket
pins on PCB. Please note that the
anode pin(with white pipe inside the
tube) need to connect to the middle
socket pins(Check the picture) .
After all the legs are all plugged
into the socket pins, you can push the
tube down genteelly.
3. After pushed all the legs in the
socket pins, if you find the legs are
too long, you can cut it short, and
you can adjust the height of the tube
by yourself or twirl the tube a little
bit to make the tube just faces the
front.
4. Make sure all the tubes'
legs have no short before
power on!
Note: In order to protect the socket pins, if not
necessary, do not plug /unplug the tube frequently.

08.30.12
Power ON
Display Time
Display Date
Display Alert1 Display Alert2 Display Alert3
Auto ON/OFF1 Auto ON/OFF2 Auto ON/OFF3
Misc Setting
Display Ver.
[+]
Flip Effects
LONG CLICK SET SET
Time Format
SET
Hours
SET
Minutes
SET
Save&Return
[±]±1
Hour
[±]±1
Minute
[±]
[±]
0:Normal. 1:Fade. 2:Cross Fade. 3.Slow Fade. 4.Flash. 5.Loop. 6.Random.
Data Formats
LONG CLICK SET SET
Year
SET
Month
SET
Day
SET
Save&Return
[±]±1
Month
[±]±1
Day
[±]±1
Year
[±]
0:DDMMYY 1:MMDDYY 2:YYMMDD 3:YYDDMM
Alert Hour
LONG CLICK SET SET
Alert Minute
SET
Alert Option
SET
Save&Return
±1
Minute
[±]±1
Hour
[±]
0:Alert OFF 1:Alert ON 2:ON-except weekends.
Status
LONG CLICK SET SET
Auto ON Hour
SET
ON Minute
SET
Auto OFF Hour
SET
[±]±1
Minute
[±]±1
Hour
[±]±1
Hour
[±]0:Disable
1:Enable
OFF Minute
[±]
Brightness
LONG CLICK SET SET
Click BEEP
SET
Alert Beep Style
SET
Alert-Beep Loop
SET
Save&Return
[±]0~3;
4 types
[±]05~99
times
[±]0:OFF
1:ON
[±]0:Auto Bright
1~8:Brightness
IR-TEST
LONG CLICK SET SET
Reset ALL
SET
IF (1) Reset ALL Reboot
[±]0:NO;
1:YES;
Display the IR
Code when
received.
09.18..1..4. .1.
.1.1 08.30. .1.2 08.30. .1.3 08.30.
.2.1 .2.2 .2.3
.3. .5.
024/24/ 12/012/
.012
Unit
LONG CLICK SET SET
Error adjustment
SET
Save&Return
[±]±0.1°C
step
[±]0:°C
1:°F
28.00 .0. Display
Temperature
Led Brightness
SET LED auto
change
SET
[±]0:Off;
1~3:Brt
[±]0:Dis;
01/10/30/60
Middle Dots
SET
[±]
On 1Sec:[.. ]; On half sec:[ ..]; Always On:[....]; Always Off:
Time Setting GPS ON/OFF
LONG CLICK SET SET
TimeZone Hour
SET
TZone Minute
SET
Save&Return
[±]±1
Hour
[±]ON:1;
OFF:0;
[±]00/30/50
.4
[±]
SET
On Brightness
[±]
SET
Save&Return
±1
Minute
0:Auto Bright 1~8:Brightness
The State Machine of 6-Tube IN-14
NIXIE Clock V1.2
Dots Effects
SET
[±]
0:No Eff. 1.PiPoA; 2:PiPo B; 3:Left-R. 4.Flash. 5.All fading. 6.Left-Right Fading.