Nixie Temp n Glow IN-16 User manual

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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"Temp'n'Glow",thenewsecretamongnixie
enthusiasts,isaNixietubethermometerfortheslim,beautifulIN‐16tubes.
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Fast,secureinstallationwithoutanyadjustmentarethefeaturesofthiskitas
wellasitsmodernlook.
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Butthetechnologyisstateoftheart,too.
Asmartmenusystemmakesoperationeasy.
Adjustablechangeinterval,errordetectionandmanyotherfeaturesarestandardon
"Temp'n'Glow".
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Ahigh togo
lightistheso‐called"CathodePoisoningPrevention".Thisfeatureallowsthedigits
throughcertainperiods(slot‐machineeffect).
Thiswillprotectthecathodedepositsandasaresultofthatyourtubeslivelonger.
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Enjoyyour"Temp'n'Glow"Nixietubethermometer!
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This document is copyrighted.
No parts of this documentation may be used commercially.

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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2
Tableofcontents
1SafetyandLegalWarnings .....................................................................................................3 
2Features ........................................................................................................................................4 
3Functions ......................................................................................................................................4 
4Settings..........................................................................................................................................5 
5Displaylimits ..............................................................................................................................6 
6Errorindication..........................................................................................................................6 
7SpecialNotesontheIN16tubes..........................................................................................6 
8PartList .........................................................................................................................................8 
9Soldering.......................................................................................................................................9
10 MountingoftheNeonglowlamp.................................................................................... 10 
11 Solderthetubes.................................................................................................................... 11 
12 SoldertheLeds...................................................................................................................... 12 
13 SwitchingofftheundersideLEDillumination........................................................... 13 
14 Mountingthetemperaturesensors............................................................................... 14 
15 Maximumlengthofsensorcables.................................................................................. 14 
16 Connectingthethermometertopower........................................................................ 14 
17Specifications......................................................................................................................... 15

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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3
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1 Safety and Legal Warnings
DANGER:Thiscircuitdesignincludesaswitching‐modevoltageconverterwhichgenerates170VDC.
experiencedin
Therefore,assemblyshouldbeattemptedonlybycompetentqualifiedpersonnel
electronicsassemblyandhighvoltagesafety.
Safeassemblyandoperationofthiskitiscompletelythereader’sresponsibility.
Readinstructions:Allthesafetyandoperatinginstructionsshouldbereadcarefullyandcompletelybefore
hethermometerisoperated.Heedwarnings:Allwarningsontheapplianceandintheoperating
nstructionsshouldb
t
ieadheredto.

RetainInstructions:Thesafetyandoperatinginstructionsshouldberetainedforfuturereference.
nd
•Ifoneofthetubesisbrokenordamaged,immediatelypullthepowerplugoutofthethermometera
contactthecustomersupport.
•Thetubesaremadeofglassandareconsequentlyveryeasytobreak.Becauseoftheirfragility,itis
ofbeingstruck
importantthatyoukeepthethermometerinasafeplacefreefromthepossibility
inadvertently.
•Nopartofthethermometermaybeswallowedorinsertedintobodyopenings.
•Thepowersupplymaynotbeswallowedorinsertedintobodyopenings.
n
•Nopartofthethermometerorthepowersupplymaybeusedforotherpurposeotherthandescribedi
thisusermanual.
•Waterandmoisture:Thethermometershouldbekeptinadryroomfreefromhumidityanddust.The
thermometershouldnotbeusednearwater–forexample,nearabathtub,washbowl,kitchensink,
d
laundrytub,inawetbasement,nearaswimmingpool,inasauna,etc.Inadditionthethermometershoul
bekeptoutofdirectsunlightandhightemperatures.
orhave
•Objectandliquidentry:Careshouldbetakensothatthethermometerdoesnotfallintoliquids
themspilledoverthethermometer.
•Donotusethisapplianceforanythingotherthantheintendeduseasdescribedinthemanual.
•Immediatelypullthepowerplugoutofthethermometerandcontactthecustomersupportifthe
mance.Inthiscase
appliancedoesnotappeartooperatenormallyorexhibitsamarkedchangeinperfor
donotrunthethermometeragain!
•Thisthermometerisnotatoy!Keepthisthermometeroutofthereachofchildren.
Payattentionthatthisthermometershallonlybetouchedbypeoplewhohavecompletelyreadand
•
understoodtheusermanual.
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IMPORTANT:Pleasefollowtheassemblystepswithextremecare.Pleaseoperatethethermometeronly
inanenclosedhousingwhichpreventscontactwiththedangerousvoltagespresentonbothprinted
circuitboards(PCB).
DISCLAIMER:Theinformationinthisdocumentisprovidedstrictly'asis'.Itisherebystatedthatthiskitis
tobeassembledonlybyexperiencedelectronicsengineers.Notroubleshootinginformationisprovided.
Readersshouldnotattempttobuildthiskitand/ordesignunlesstheyarecompetentatelectronics
assemblyandunderstandthedangersofmainsvoltages.Further,www.nixieclocks.detakesno
responsibilityforanypossiblepersonalorpropertydamage.Noresponsibilityisacceptedforanydamage,
injury(howeverserious)ordeath.Innoeventshallwww.nixieclocks.debeheldliabletoyouoranythird
partiesforanyspecial,punitive,incidental,indirect,consequential,oranyotherdamagesresultingfrom
heassemblyoruseofthiskitand/ordesign.Theassembledunitshouldbeproperlyencasedtoprevent
t
contactwithhighvoltages.
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AllapplicableUL,CCE,VDEandlocalregulationsmustbeconsidered.Commercialuseofthekit,circuit
designs,softwareoranypartsthereofrequiresexpresswrittenpermission.

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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2 Features
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‐Inputvoltagefrom10‐14VoltDC
‐Lowcurrentconsumptionis150mA
forworldwideuseavailable
ersupplytechnology
‐Standardpoweradapter
‐veryhighefficiencybyusingmodernswitchingpow
orlighting
ionbyLEDlight(canbeswitchedoff)
‐switchableflo
‐pcbilluminat
‐easytobuild
‐nosmdparts
ermenu
sortobeswitchedoff
‐sophisticatedsoftwarewithus
‐Crossfadingselectablein5differentlevel
prevention
‐Cathodepoisoning
‐Upto2temperaturesensorsconnectable
‐"minussigntube"
replacedbyleftdecimaldot
peraturesensororfaultysignal
‐"minussigntube"canalsobe
m
‐Errordetectionforfaultyte
‐small,compactcircuitboard
‐Simple2‐buttonoperation
mperatureselectable
‐includingmountingspacers
insideandoutsidete
‐alternatingcyclebetween
‐Allsettingsarestoredincaseofpowerfailure
ssary
F
‐noadjustmentnece
‐measuringrangefrom‐55°Cto+85°C/‐67°Fto+99°
‐Displayin°Cor°F
Longcablesavailableforexternalsensorupto10m
Pre‐assembledtemperaturesensorcableavailablefromwebshop
‐
‐
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3 Functions
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Preliminaryhint:
emperaturesensor1=insidetemperature
emperaturesensor2=outsidetemperature
T
T

Leftdecimaldotofthelefttube:
asnofunctioniftheminussignneonlampandR42areinstalled.
howsanegativesignofthetemper inus‐neonlampisinstalledbutR42isinstalled.
H
Satureifnom
ightdecimaldotofthelefttube:

RNofunction

Leftdecimaldotoftherighttube:Nofunction

isdisplayed.
Rightdecimaldotoftherighttube:
e
.
Itshowswhethertheinsideortheoutsidetemperatur
tlightsupwhentheoutsidetemperatureisdisplayed
tisnotlitwhentheindoortemperatureisdisplayed.
I
I

Display:
°Cor°F,dependingonwhichunitinthemenuis
Thetwotubespermanentlyshowthetemperaturein
set.
Thedisplayistwodigits–nodisplayof½adegree.
Atnegativetemperature,theminussign(neonlamporleftofthedecimaldotoflefttube)ison.

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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5
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T
(
heinsideandoutsidetemperatures(orviceversa)areshownintheintervalthatissetinthemenu
changeinterval)

Menu/Settings:
"Menu"buttonintheusermenuisasfollows(circlemenu):
emperatureDisplay>>Changeinterval>>crossfadingvalue>>numberofprobes>>unit>>CP
T
Prevention

fter"CPPreventionisshownthemenugoesbacktoTemperaturedisplayifyoupresstheMenubutton
gain.
A
a

Themenuisshownby

thelefttubeasfollows:
1=changeinterval
Fadingvalue
es
2=Cross
3=numberofprob
=Unit
4
5=CPPrevention

Whi yo
le uareinthemenuthefollowingsettingsare:
ds
‐CrossfadingandCPPreventionaregenerallydeactivated.
‐Thedecimaldotoftherighttubeflasheswithanintervalof0.25secon
.
‐Theminussignresp.theleftdecimaldotofthelefttubeisturnedoff

Afterselectingthemenuitem,the"Set"buttonisusedtochangethevalues.
Thisvalueisindicatedintherighttube.Eachpressofthebutton"Set"incrementsthevaluebyonestep.
fterhavingreachedthehighestvalue,thevalueserieswillstartagainfromthebeginning.Subsequently,
llsettingsaredescribed.
A
a

4 Settings

„1“=changeinterval
rebythevalueofxistherange1‐9(inseconds).
nside/outside/oronlyoneofthem)isupdatedatarangeof1‐9seconds.
Thedisplayshows"1x"whe
aluex=Thetemperature(i
actorysetting=2seconds.
V
F

astherangefrom0‐5.
„2“=CrossFadingvalue
wherebythevaluexh
ollowingmeanings:
Thedisplayshows"2x"
Thevaluesofxhavethef
f
0=CrossFadingisof
1=veryfastcrossfading
rysetting)
2=CrossFadingfast
3=Crossfadingfast(facto
=slowcrossfading
4
5=veryslowcrossfading

Thecross‐fadingaffectsalldigitsofthetubes,theminussign(ortheleftdecimaldotofthelefttube)and
therightdecimaldotoftherighttube.
heCrossFadingisgenerallynotactivewhenscrollingthroughduringtheCPProtection,orwhileyouare
nthemenuandwhileanerrorisdisplayedbytheleftdecimaldot.
T
i

„3“=Numberofsensors
Thedisplayshows"3x",wherebythevaluexhastherangefrom1‐2.
Thevaluesofxhavethefollowingmeanings:
1=onetemperaturesensorisconnectedtosocket1orsolderedonthepcb
2=onetemperaturesensorisconnectedtoasocketorsolderedonthepcbandasecondtemperature
ensorisalsoconnectedtosocket2orsolderedonthepcb(theusualwayforoutdoortemperature
easurement)‐(factorysetting)
s
m


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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6
4=Units
Thedisplayshows"4x",wherebythevaluexhastherangefrom1‐2
(factorysetting)
.
Thevaluesofxhavethefollowingmeanings:
=Thetubesshowthetemperatureintheunit°C
=Thetubesshowthetemperatureintheunit°F
1
2

astherangefrom0‐1.
5=CPPrevention
x"wherebythevaluexh
ngs:
Thedisplayshows"5
Thevaluesofxhavethefollowingmeani
=Preventionisoff
0
1=CPPreventionison(factorysetting)

IfCPpreventionisswitchedon,theCathodePoisoningPreventionisexecutedevery5minutes.
Thisisdoneasfollows:
ttubeandtherightdecimaldotoftherighttubeis
Theminussignortheleftdecimaldotofthelef
switchedon.
Thedigits0‐9arescrolledthroughbothtubes.
urationofthescrolloperation:4seconds
fterhavingdonethatthedisplaywillshowthetemperaturesagain.
D
A

5 Display limits
I

fthe(theoretical)temperatureisbelow‐99orover+99°Cor°Fthedisplaystillshows‐99to+99.
6 Error indication
Ifoneofthesensorisnotconnectedorproducesabadsignal,then"99"isdi
heleftdecimalpointblinksleftintherhythmof0.25seconds(nocross‐fadi
herightdecimalpointoftherighttuberemainsunchangedinitsfunction.
splayedandtheminussignor
ng).
t
T

7 Special Notes on the IN-16 tubes
ThereareseveralvariantsoftheIN‐16tubes.OnehasaholewithØ4mminthespacer,theotherhasnot.
Hereyoucanseethisdifference:

Withhole:withouthole
 

fyoufitanyunderbodylightingtubes,thisdifferenceisnotimportanttoyou.However,ifyouinstallan
I
underbodylighting,youhavetorefertothefollowing.

Ifyouusetheversionwithaholeinthespacer,thereisnoneedtochangeanything,becausetheLED
exactlyfitsintothishole.
Butifyouusetheversionwithoutthehole,thenyouhavetodrillaholeofØ4,5mmintothemiddleofthe
spacer.Todoso,slideawaythespacerfromthetubeanddrillthehole.
Note:FromNocrotecyougetmatchedtubesetsWITHholeinspacerfortheLEDs(HERE)

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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
7

Alittlehinttomountthetubes:
holesinthespacer.

Afteryouhavedrilled,youneedtoconnectthetubewiresthroughthe
hiscaneasilybedonebya„spiralstaircasecut“ofthewires.
henthethreadingintothespacerandtheboardwillbemucheasier.
T
T


PinoutIN‐16seenfromtop


Stepcutofwires


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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8
8 Part List
Part No Pieces Description
BRD1 1 pcb
ASP 2 Adhesive pads
C01 1 Capacitor 1 nF
C10-C16 7 Capacitor 100 nF
C31 1 Electrolytic-Capacitor 4.7µF, U=250V
C23 1 Capacitor-Capacitor 220µF/25V
CR1 1 Resonator, 3-pin, 4MHz
D1 1 Diode UF4004
D2 1 Diode, 1N4004
H1-H4 10 Screw M3x6mm
H1-H4 4 Distance holder M3 15 mm
IC5 2 Bolt, M3
IC1-2 2 74141 or similar
IC3 1 ATtiny461-20PU
IC3 1 IC-socket 20 pin
IC4 1 MC34063A
IC5 1 Regulator, 5Volt, 1A, 7805
IC6 1 DS18S20 Temperature sensor with cable (1 meter)
L1 1 Coil 330 µH / 1,4 A
R10-R11 2 Resistor, 180 Ohm
R20 1 Resistor, 390 Ohm
R30-R31 2 Resistor, 2,2k
R32-R33 2 Resistor, 4,7k
R38 1 Resistor, 8,2k
R40-R43 4 Resistor, 16k - R42 resistor not needed if you do not use left decimal point in left tube
R50-R51 2 Resistor, 68k
R60 1 Resistor, 180k
R70 1 Resistor, 1,1M
S1-S2 2 Push button 3.5x8, 35mm
T1-T2 2 Transistor MPSA42
T3 1 FET IRF630, mounted on pcb
X1-X2 2 Connector for temperature sensors, angled, 2,54mm, 3 pin
JP1 1 Jumper Header, 2 pin, angled
JP1 1 Jumper black, 2,54 mm
X3 1 Socket for power supply plug (5,5mm / 2,5 mm)
You get a complete set of 2 IN-16 tubes with hole in spacer, 2 LEDs and the Minus
Glow Lamp from www.nocrotec.com


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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9
9 Soldering
Attention:Ifyouhavepurchasedtheacryliccasefor
documentati
thethermometer,pleasereadthat
onfirst!
Firstsolderalltheflatcomponentssuchasresistorsanddiodes.
ResistorR42:Thisisonlyusedifnoglowlamp(GL1),buttheleftdecimalpointofthelefttubeisusedas
anegativeindicator.
IfyouusetheGL1glowlamp,R42isnotmounted.
ThensoldertheICs.IC3issocketed,sosolderthesocketherefirst.WhensolderingtheICspleasewatch
utforthemarkingthatyoufindontheICandonthepcb.ThenL1,thecapacitors,theresonatorCR1and
hecoilaresolderedin.Theresonatorhasnopolarity.
o
t


Figure1resistoranddiodesmounted



Figure2jumperpins,capacitorsmounted

NowsolderthetransistorsT1,T2,T3andIC5.T3andIC5haveaheatsink.Thecomponentsareinstalled
horizontallyandaresecuredwithM3x6screwsandM3nutsonto the board. This is to cool the
components.Thentheconnectionsforthetemperaturesensors,thepushbuttonsandthepowersupply
connectoraresoldered.Whenyousolderthepowersupplyconnectormakesurethatitisflushtotheback
ofthepcb.Thisisimportant,ifyouconsidertouseouracrylichousing.

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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10

Figure3pcbnearlyready

Nowturnthecircuitboardandsoldertheholderfortheglowlamp,ifyouwish.Youcanmounttheneon
lowlampwithouttheholder.Thewiresoftheneonglowlampshouldbeisolatedwithshrinkingtubeto
reventashortcircuit.
g
p

10 Mounting of the Neon glow lamp
‐Cutfuseholdertab
ts
ter1mm)
‐Cutthefuseholdercontac
ire(diame
‐Stretchsilverw
‐Solderwirefromtherear
‐Bendthewires
‐Pull2piecesofshrinkingtube(21mm)overtheglowlampwiresandshrink
erandshrink
kertopreventamirroreffect.
‐Pullapieceofshrinkingtube(18mm)overthewireofthehold
Blackenthefronttabsoftheholderwithablackpermanentmar
Solderholderintotheboard(distanceissetbyshrinkingtube)
‐
‐

  
Buildingtheglowlampholder

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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11

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11 Solder the tubes
Next,thetubesaresoldered.Thetubeisnowgettinga"stepcut"sothewirescanbeputintotheholeson
thepcbmoreeasily.Tobesurethatthetubeissolderedcorrectlyintotheboarditisimportanttoknow
wheretheanodeis.

Figure4The"stepcut"

Theanodeismarkedwhiteandyoufinditatthebackofthetube.Youcanseethiseasilyinthepicture
below.

Figure5Anodemarkedwhite–tubelayoutIN‐16
Thelongestwireafterthe“stepcut”shouldbetheanodewire.Seewherethiswiregoes:



Figure6Anodemarkedonthepcb


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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12
Sostartwiththiswireandputtherestofthemintotheotherholesontheboard.Donotcrossanywires
Allholesholdwiresafterthetubehasbeenmounted.Noholeisfree!
lignthetubesrectangular.Youshouldfirstsolderonlytwowiresandchecktheangle.Nowsolderthe
estofthewiresandcutherestnottooclosetothepcb.
.
A
r


Figure7tubesandglowlampmounted

12 Solder the Leds
B

eforeyousoldertheLeds,youhavetobendtheaccordingtothefollowingsketch.


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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
13

Figure8LEDbent

SoldertheLed’ssothattheanodegoesinthehole"A"andthecathodeinthehole"K".Theanodeisthe
longerwireoftheLED.Thediodemustlookthroughtheholeintheboard.Ithastobeplacedentirelyon
thetubefloorsothatthebluelightcanbeclearlyseen.Ifthedistanceistoolong,thebluelig tscannotbe
seenwell.
h
PleasebecarefulthatthewiresoftheLEDdonottouchthetubecontacts!!


Figure9LEDsoldered
13 Switching off the underside LED illumination
TheLedsilluminatetheundersideoftheboard,creatingabeautifuleffectinanacrylicenclosureatnight.
fyoudonotwanttheeffect,youcaneasily„switch“thatoff.Withthekityouhavereceived2adhesive
I
pads. Theycansealthelightstowardsthebottomandthusisblockingthelightdownwards.

Toturnofftheunderbodylightingyoukneadtheadhesivepadsforhalfaminuteinyourfingersandthen
formthemintoaball.PresstheballscarefullytotheLEDasshownintheFigurebelow.
ecarefulnottopressthewiresfromtheLEDtothepinsoftheNixietubes.Makesurethatthepinsofthe
ubesarecutshort.
B
t


Figure10adhesivepadsmountedtopreventunderbodylighting


Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation
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14

14 Mounting the temperature sensors

Youcanconnectoneortwosensorstoyourboard.
Thetemperaturesensor(IC6ontheboard)shouldnotbesolderedbecausethetemperatureishigherin
heimmediatevicinityoftheboardthantheroomtemperatureandthusthetemperaturewouldbe
t
incorrect.Thiscomponentpositionisonlyfortestingpurposes.
readings.

lwaysconnectthetemperaturesensorsusingshieldedcabletotheboardforaccurate
nsorandaplugconnected.
A
Withyourkityougetareadymadecable(1meter)withase

Thecable(s)areconnectedtotheterminalsX1and(or)X2.
oucanalsomakeacableyourself.Pleasedothataccordingtoaspecialdocumentationthatisavailable
ordownloadfromourwebsite.
Y
f

15 Maximum length of sensor cables
Thethermometerisdesignedforamaximumcablelengthof10meters.
Pleaseonlyusethecablesfromtheshop.Otherwiseyoumightgetdisturbancesinthecapacityofthe
cabledatatransfer.
orshortcables(1meter),youcanuseyourown2pin,fullyshieldedcable.Butwerecommendthecable
romourwebshop.
F
f

16 Connecting the thermometer to power
Allnecessarysettingscanbemadeusingthemenusystem.Thethermometermustbemountedina
housingsothatthePCBandthecomponentsareprotectedagainstcontact.

nstallthe4spacersasfeet.Pleasecheckallsolderjointsclosely.Pluginthepowersupplyanddonot
I
touchanythingontheboard(170voltsDC).

Theinitializationshouldstartnowandthetemperature(s)shouldappear.

Duringpowerupthecircuitneedsabout2secondstoinitialize.Duringthistime,thedisplayshowsan
ndefinitenumberofvalues.Thenthecorrecttemperatureisdisplayed.Ifnot,refertotheerror
escription(chapter3ofthisdocumentation)
i
d

ThethermometermustbemountedinahousingsothatthePCBandthecomponentsareprotected
againstcontact.

Temp’n’GlowIN‐16NixieThermometerDocumentation

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15

17 Specifications

Minimuminputvoltage:10V
Nominalinputvoltage:12V
A
Maximuminputvoltage:14V
m

Maximuminputcurrentat12V:150
12V:1.8W
Maximuminputpowerat
Measuringrange:‐55°Cto+99°C
eof‐10°Cto+85°C
Range:‐67°Fto+99°F
g

Tolerance:±0.5°Cintheran
Overallwidthmodule:97mm
otaldepthModule:67mm
otalheightmodule:65mm
T
T
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allrightsreserved–www.nixiekitworld.com ‐April2012