Nixie Clock SixNix Configuration guide

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
Issue 5 (14 August 2012)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 1 -
Assembly Inst uctions
And
Use Guide
Nixie Clock Type
‘SixNix’

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
Issue 5 (14 August 2012)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 2 -
REVISION HISTORY
Issue
Numbe
Date Reason fo Issue
5 14 July 2012 New Board Issue - 19 July 12
4 1 Jan 2012 Added new fuse type
3 6 Sept 11 Added di ensioned drawing
2 5 Sept 11 Errors corrected
1 20 July 2011 New docu ent

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
Issue 5 (14 August 2012)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 3 -
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 About the clock
Nixie clock type ‘SixNix’ is a co pact design with all co ponents and
tubes ounted on a single PCB. The efficient use of board space is
achieved by using a ultiplex design to drive the display tubes. Only a
single high-voltage binary-to-deci al decoder IC (74141) is required,
and each tube is switched on in sequence very quickly to give the illusion
that all the tubes are actually lit.
The clock is designed for tube type IN-16.
1.2 Clock Featu es
Nixie clock type ‘SixNix' has the following features:
- Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
- 12 or 24 hour odes
- Date display in either DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY for at
- Alar , with progra able snooze period
- Progra able date display each inute
- Attractive LED tube lighting
- Uses a Quartz Crystal Oscillator as the ti ebase
- Optional DCF / WWVB / MSF / GPS synchronisation with status indicator
LED
- Supercapacitor backup. Keeps ti e during short power outages
- Si ple ti e setting using two buttons
- Progra able leading zero blanking
- Five progra able neon colon settings (Flashing AM/PM indication,
illu inated AM/PM indication, both flashing, both on, both off)
- Maintains ti e during setup ode, eg. When changing between
Standard Ti e and Daylight Savings Ti e
- Seconds can be reset to zero to precisely the set ti e
- Progra able night ode - blanked or di ed display to save tubes
or prevent sleep disturbance
- Separate odes for colon neons during night ode
- Standard or fading change of digits
- ‘Slot Machine’ Cathode poisoning prevention routine
- All user preferences stored to non-volatile e ory

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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1.3 SAFETY
DANGER: The clock pcb includes a switched- ode voltage booster
circuit. This generates no inally 170 Volts DC, but is capable of
generating up to 300 Volts before adjust ent. Asse bly ay only be
undertaken by individuals who are suitably qualified and experienced in
electronics asse bly, and are fa iliar with safe procedures for working
with high voltages. If in doubt, refer to a suitably qualified engineer
before proceeding.
The voltages gene ated by this ci cuit can give a potentially
LETHAL ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DISCLAIMER: This product is supplied as a kit of parts, intended only for
suitably qualified electronic engineers, who are suitably qualified and
experienced in electronics asse bly, and are fa iliar with safe
procedures for working with high voltages. The supplier, his agents or
associates accept no liability for any da age, injury or death arising fro
the use of this kit of parts.
This is not a finished product, and the person asse bling the kit is
responsible for ensuring that the finished product co plies with any
applicable local regulations governing electrical equip ent, eg. UL, CE,
VDE.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
2.1 Tools equi ed to assemble the PCB.
The following tools will be required to asse ble the PCB:
- Soldering iron with a s all tip (1-2 )
- Wire cutters (TIP: A s all pair of nail clippers works very well for this
function)
- Wire strippers (TIP: A s all pair of scissors is quite suitable)
- Multi eter for voltage tests and for identifying the resistors.
- S all flat screwdriver for adjusting the high voltage supply
2.2 Mate ials you will need.
Solder – lead / tin solder is preferred. Lead free solder, as now required
to be used in co ercial products in Europe, has a uch higher elting
point and can be very hard to work with.
Desoldering wick (braid) can be useful if you accidentally create solder
bridges between adjacent solder joints.
2.3 Othe items you will need
The clock kit does not include a power adapter. This is because the kit is
sold to any countries around the world, each with very different
household ains outlet socket types. It is ore efficient for the user to
buy a suitable adapter locally. This saves shipping a heavy adapter with
the kit, and also the extra costs of anaging stocks of any varied
power adapters. If you are using a WWVB, DCF or MSF receiver avoid
cheap Chinese switching power supplies, as they can cause interference
proble s: an adapter with an earth connection will be needed.
The suitable type of power adapter can be obtained at very low cost. The
following specification of adapter should be obtained and used with the
kit:
Output 12V DC regulated, minimum power output capability of 300 mA
Output plug: 2.1mm pin, centre po itive.
A suitable adapter is shown below:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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3. LIST OF COMPONENTS
3.1 Table of components
Ci cuit Designation Pa t Desc iption
Resistors
R1, R2 4.7K, ¼ Watt
R3 390K, ¼ Watt
R4, R5 4.7K, ¼ Watt
R6, R7 560R, ¼ Watt
R8 4.7K, ¼ Watt
R9, R10 560R, ¼ Watt
R11 – R24 4.7K, ¼ Watt
R25 - R32 390K, ¼ Watt
R33 – R35 560R, ¼ Watt
Capacitors
C1 470uF 16-25V, Electrolytic
C2 100nF Cera ic
C3 1uF 250V Electrolytic
C4 15pF Cera ic
C5 33pF Cera ic
C6 0.1F
C7, C8 100nF Cera ic
Transistors
Q1 IRFD220 MOSFET
Q2 – Q10 MPSA42 NPN
Q11 – Q16 MPSA92 NPN
Q17 MPSA42 NPN
Diodes
D1 – D3 1N5819
D4 UF4004
D5 5 Yellow LED
D6 – D8 1N4148
D9 – D14 3 Blue LED
D15 5 Green LED
Integrated Circuits
IC1 7805 5V voltage regulator
IC2 PIC16Fxxxx 8-bit icrocontroller
IC3 74141 / K155ID1 Nixie driver
Miscellaneous
L1 100uH Radial Inductor
AM, PM 4 wire ended neon la p
SET, ADJ, ALARM Miniature push button
IC Socket for IC2 28 Way IC socket for IC2
IC Socket for IC3 16 Way IC socket for IC32
J1 2.1 PCB power socket
LS1 Piezo sounder
GPS/ RFT 3.5 Jack socket
FUSE 500 A fuse
Insulation Clear insulation for neons
X1 32.768KHz watch crystal

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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3.2 Pa ts list / Packing sheet
Pa t Desc iption Quantity
Resistors
560R, ¼ Watt 7
4.7K, ¼ Watt 19
390K, ¼ Watt 9
Capacitors
470uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 1
1uF 250V, Electrolytic 1
100nF Cera ic 3
15pF Cera ic 1
33pF Cera ic 1
0.1F 1
Transistors
IRFD220 MOSFET 1
MPSA92 PNP 6
MPSA42 NPN 10
Diodes
1N5819 3
UF4004 fast recovery diode 1
1N4148 3
5 Yellow LED 1
5 Green LED 1
3 Blue LED 6
Integrated Circuits
7805 5V voltage regulator 1
PIC16Fxxxx 8-bit icrocontroller 1
74141 / K155ID1 Nixie driver 1
Miscellaneous
100uH Radial inductor 1
4 wire ended neon la p 2
Miniature push button 3
28 Way IC socket for IC3 1
16 Way IC socket for IC2 1
3.5 Jack socket 1
2.1 PCB power socket 1
Piezo sounder 1
500 A fuse 1
6 c clear insulation 1
32.768KHz watch crystal 1
It is reco ended that the kit is checked against the list above, to
ensure all parts are present before co encing asse bly. Don’t be
alar ed if there are so e extra co ponents, as so e co ponent
bags are shared between different kit types.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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The resistors used in the kit are 1% tolerance etal fil . They are
arked with 4 coloured bands to identify the value. However it is
so eti es unclear in which direction the bands should be read.
Therefore, we reco end that the resistors be identified with a
ulti eter.
The fuse is a self-resetting type and can be confused for a resistor.
This is what it looks like:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4. ASSEMBLY OF THE PCB
4.1 Low Voltage Powe components:
J1, FUSE,
D1-D3 (1N5819)
U1 (7805)
C1 (470 µF)
C2 (100 nF)
Start by installing D1-D3. Align the white band on the co ponents
with the band arked on the PCB.
Continue to ount C1, C2, J1, U1 and FUSE.
Note that C1 is polarised. The longer lead goes in the hole arked
(+). The PCB should now look like the picture below:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.2 Testing Stage 1 Powe Components.
Identify the test GND, 5V and 170V test points as shown below.
Plug in the power supply, and then test using a DC volt eter:
Touch the black probe on the GND test point and the red probe on
the 5V test point. The voltage should easure between 5.1 and 5.3
Volts. If not, disconnect power and check your work. Do not
proceed with the asse bly until the error is corrected. Once the
test is co pleted, disconnect the power.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.3 High Voltage Gene ato components.
R1, R2 (4.7 KΩ)
R3 (390 KΩ)
Q1 (IRFD220)
D4 (UF4004)
C3 (1 µF)
L1 (100µH Inducto )
Socket fo IC2
Pay attention to ount D4 with the white band aligned with the
PCB arking. Insert the 28 way IC socket into the PCB at the IC2
position, ensuring that the notch at one end is aligned with the
corresponding arking on the PCB.
Resistors R1-R3, indeed all the resistors on the board need to be
ounted upright to save space. The leads need to be for ed as
shown below. Bend the leads of each resistor as shown and solder
into the correct postion, aking sure the co ponent body is as
close to the board as possible.
After installation of step 4.3 co ponents, this is how the PCB
should look. Note the orientation of MOSFET Q1:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.4 High Voltage Gene ato Test.
- Refer to the warnings on page 4
- Insert IC2 into its socket. Orient the notch on the IC with the
notch on the IC socket and the PCB arking.
- Power up the PCB, and using the GND and 170V test points,
easure the high voltage generated. It should be between 167 and
173V. Disconnect the power supply.
- Finally, re ove IC2 fro its socket and replace on its static-
protective foa . It is best kept safe until needed for the tube tests
later in the asse bly.
- If you do not get this voltage, disconnect the power supply and
check your work carefully. Do not proceed until you get the correct
voltage at this stage.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.5 SOCKET FOR IC3
Align the notch on the IC socket with the corresponding PCB ark.
See below:
4.6 R11 - R24 (4.7 KΩ)
R25 - R32 (390 KΩ)
4.7 X1 (32.768 KHz C ystal)
C4 (15pF)
C5 (33pF)
Do not solder the body of the crystal to the PCB, just lay it over the
large rectangular pad.
4.8 R4, R5, R8 (4.7 KΩ)
R6, R7 (560 Ω)
R9, R10 (560 Ω)

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.9 C6 (0.1F)
C7, C8 (100nF)
C6 is a high capacity ‘Super Capacitor’, intended to keep the
processor powered for short periods in the event of a ain power
failure. It is vital that it is placed in the correct orientation. See
below. There are arrows on the co ponent that need to be
pointing the sa e way as the arrows on the PCB.
4.10 D6- D8 (1N4148)
GPS / RFT (3.5mm Jack socket)
To solder the GPS / RFT connector: First wet one pad on the PCB
with solder. Then place the connector in position and re-touch the
pad with the soldering iron. This will anchor the co ponent and
then you can solder the re aining pads.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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4.11 Q2 – Q10, Q17 (All MPSA42)
After place ent of these 10 transistors, the board should look like
this:
4.12 Q11 – Q16 (All MPSA92)
After place ent of these 6 transistors, the board should look like
this:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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5. INSTALLING THE NIXIE TUBES
5.1 IN-16 Nixie Tubes.
To facilitate easy insertion of the flying leads into the s all holes, it
helps enor ously to tri the flying leads with a pair of scissors as
shown below. Start by identifying the anode lead at the back of the
tube. It has a white coating where it enters the glass.
Then, working around the tube, cut each sucessive lead approx
2 shorter than the previous one. This will allow you to feed
each lead in in turn.
IMPORTANT:
If you will be installing the LED tube lights, now is the time
to slip off the plastic space and d ill a 4mm hole in the
middle of the space , to ‘let the light shine th ough’. Some
tubes al eady have the hole moulded in which case you can
omit this step.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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Identify the anode pads at each tube location. It is the rear ost
pad. PLACE THE TUBES ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE PCB TO
THE COMPONENTS!!
Now you can insert and solder in the tubes, starting at NX1, one at
a ti e. Feed all the wires in progressively. It is not as hard as it
see s at first. After soldering in, tri flying leads. After soldering
in each tube, test the tube as follows:
Ensure the IC2 (PIC16F193x) and IC3 (K155ID1) are placed in
their sockets, and re e bering that 170V will be generated, power
up the PCB. The tube should count repeatedly fro 0 to 9. This
tube test routine allows you to check each tube as it is placed, and
if there are any tube or PCB shorts this will expose the as they
happen. Because is is a ultiplex design, any shorts between
cathodes (even an internal tube defect), will show on ALL TUBES.
So it would be very hard to diagnose a short after placing all tubes.
Be sure to test each tube after place ent, before oving on to
solder in to the next tube.
Do not p oceed if you obse ve any of the following:
- Tube does not light (check anode is soldered)
- Tube does not show all digits (check all leads are soldered)
- Tube shows one or ore digits si ultaneously (check for shorts
between adjacent tube connections)
Once all tubes have been placed correctly, ove to step 6.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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6. MOUNTING THE REMAINING COMPONENTS
6.1 SET, ADJ, ALARM.
Push buttons SET, ADJ and ALARM can be ounted on either side
of the PCB, depending on your case design. For the cases supplied
by us, ount the switches on the co ponent side of the PCB
6.2 AM, PM.
The 2 neons can now be ounted at a suitable height. Use s all
lengths of the clear insulation supplied on the leads to prevent
shorts.
6.3 LS1 (Piezo Sounde )
There are two sets of holes for this co ponent, as two different
types ay be supplied depending on co ponent availability.
6.4 D5 (5mm Yellow LED)
D15 (5mm G een LED)
Mount as shown below if you are using one of our cases. Ensure
the longer lead goes in the hole arked (+):
Otherwise, if you will be using your own case, it ay be ounted
as you prefer.
6.5 R33 - R35 (560 Ω)

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6.6 D9 – D14 (3mm Blue LED).
You can substitute other colour 3 LEDs if you wish.
Bend the leads of each LED as shown below. Note that the longer
(+) lead is on the top. This is i portant as the leads will be
tri ed to the sa e length, so you need to be sure that you have
the correct (longer) lead in the (+) hole.
Now bend again, appropriate to the spacing between the pads for
the LED and the hole for the LED. Cut the leads to the sa e
length:
The six LEDs ay now be installed. Insert and solder on the
COMPONENT side. Take care that the LED leads are well clear of
the tube leads

Nixie Tube Clock ‘SixNix’
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7. HOW TO OPERATE THE CLOCK
The three buttons have the following functions:
SET: Exit tube test routine on cold power-up;
Show date;
Set: ti e, date;
Enter configuration enu;
ADJ: Adjust: ti e, date, alar ti e, configuration para eters;
Manual WWVB / DCF / MSF Synchronisation;
ALARM: Set alar ti e; snooze; cancel snooze/alar ;
Entering configuration mode:
The principal settings of the clock are stored in flash e ory – your
preferred configuration is stored even after powering off the clock for
extended periods. To access the configuration ode press and hold the
‘Set’ button. After 2 seconds the seconds will beco e highlighted.
Continue holding the button a further 2 seconds until the clock displays
in this for at:
00-XX- 99. The ‘99’ in the seconds digits tells you that you are in the
configuration enu.
In configuration ode the hours digits diplay the current para eter
being adjusted, and the inutes digits display the current value stored
against the para eter.
For each para eter, and referring to the table below, scroll through the
range of possible values by pressing the ‘ADJ’ button. When the desired
value has been reached, ove on to the next para eter by pressing the
‘SET’ button. When the last para eter has been set, pressing ‘SET’ one
ore ti e will revert the clock back to ti e display ode. The first
para eter (0) cannot be changed as it is the software revision nu ber.
It will show for several seconds and then ove to para eter 1.
In all correspondence on support issues, please quote the board type,
revision date and software version.