Pvelectronics Elite Nixie Configuration guide

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 1 -
Assembly I structio s
A d
User Guide
‘Elite Nixie’

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 2 -
REVISION HISTORY
Issue
Number
Date Reaso for Issue
3 25 July 2018 Improved NL840 neon details
ZM1000 Tu e details added
2 07 June 2018 Added more NL840 details
1 04 May 2018 New document

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 3 -
1. INTRODUCTION
Here are the key features of the ELITE Nixie:
 Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
 Direct drive to six medium size Plug-in Nixie Tu es
 Supports IN-8, ZM1000, NL840, NL841, NL842, NL844, NL845, NL846,
NL900, NL901 and CK8754
 Noiseless, Direct Drive giving optimum digit clarity
 Uses a Quartz Crystal Oscillator as the time ase
 12 or 24 hour modes
 Programma le leading zero lanking
 Date display in either DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY or YY.MM.DD format
 Programma le date display each minute
 Scrolling display of date or standard display
 Alarm, with programma le snooze period
 Optional GPS / XTERNA synchronisation with status indicator LED
 Dedicated DST utton to switch etween DST and standard time
 Supercapacitor ackup. Keeps time during short power outages
 PIR Motion Sensor input and accessory availa le. Configura le timeout
period
 Simple time setting using two uttons
 Configura le for leading zero lanking
 Dou le dot colon neon lamps
 11 colon neon modes including AM / PM indication (top / ottom or left /
right), railroad (slow or fast) etc.
 Seconds can e reset to zero to precisely the set time
 Programma le night mode - lanked or dimmed display to save tu es or
prevent sleep distur ance
 Rear Indicator LEDs dim at night to prevent sleep distur ance
 Weekday aware ‘Master Blank’ function to turn off HV/ tu es and LEDs on
weekends or during working hours
 Separate modes for colon neons during night mode
 Standard, fading, or crossfading with scroll ack display modes
 ‘Slot Machine’ Cathode poisoning prevention routine
 Programma le RGB tu e lighting – select YOUR favourite colour palette
 729 colours possi le. Have a different colour or your choosing every
hour, or autochanging colours
 Not AC frequency dependent – works in all countries
 All user preferences stored to non-volatile memory
 Additional wireless functions if XTERNA module used:
- Display of outdoor temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
- Min / Max temperature in last 24 hours
- Wireless, Auto Sync of time from GPS with auxilliary TCXO
- GPS Sync time, and time since last GPS Fix
- Voltage of XTERNA module attery

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 4 -
1.4 SAFETY
DANGER: The clock pc includes a switched-mode voltage ooster
circuit. This generates nominally 170 Volts DC. Assem ly may only e
undertaken y individuals who are suita ly qualified and experienced in
electronics assem ly, and are familiar with safe procedures for working
with high voltages. If in dou t, refer to a suita ly qualified engineer
efore proceeding.
The voltages ge erated by this circuit ca give a pote tially
LETHAL ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DISCLAIMER: This product is supplied as a kit of parts, intended only for
suita ly qualified electronic engineers, who are suita ly qualified and
experienced in electronics assem ly, and are familiar with safe
procedures for working with high voltages. The supplier, his agents or
associates accept no lia ility for any damage, injury or death arising from
the use of this kit of parts.
This is not a finished product, and the person assem ling the kit is
responsi le for ensuring that the finished product complies with any
applica le local regulations governing electrical equipment, eg. UL, CE,
VDE.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 5 -
2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
2.1 Tools required to assemble the PCB.
The following tools will e required to assem le the PCB:
- Soldering iron with a small tip (1-2 mm).
- Wire cutters to trim the excess component leads after soldering.
(TIP: A small pair of nail clippers works very well for this function).
- Wire strippers (TIP: A small pair of scissors is quite suita le).
- Multimeter for voltage tests and for identifying the resistors.
- A small hot air gun will e needed to shrink the heat shrink tu ing
over the neon lamp wires.
2.2 Materials you will eed.
Solder – lead / tin solder is highly recommended.
USE LEAD/ TIN SOLDER!
Lead free solder, as now required to e used in commercial products in
Europe, has a much higher melting point and can e very hard to work
with.
Desoldering wick ( raid) can e useful if you accidentally create solder
ridges etween adjacent solder joints.
2.3 Other items you will eed.
The clock kit does not include a power adapter.
The following type of adapter should e o tained and used with the kit:
Output 12V DC regulated, minimum power output capability of 500mA
Output plug: 2.1mm pin, centre po itive.
A suita le adapter is shown elow:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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3. LIST OF COMPONENTS
3.1 Table of Compo e ts – Driver Board
Circuit Desig atio Part Descriptio
Resistors
R1 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R2 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R3 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R4, R5, R6 270 Ω, ¼ Watt
R7 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R8, R9, R10 270 Ω, ¼ Watt
Capacitors
C1, C2 220uF 16-25V Electrolytic
C3 1uF, 250V Electrolytic
C4 220uF 16-25V Electrolytic
C5 10pF Ceramic
C6 33pF Ceramic
C7 0.22F Supercapacitor
C8, C9 100nF
Transistors
Q1 IRFD220
Q2 MPSA42
Diodes
D1, D2 1N5819
D3 1N4148
D4 1N5819
D5 UF4004
D6, D7, D8 3mm Yellow LED
RGB1 – RGB6 APA106 RGB LED
Integrated Circuits
IC1 LM2576 5V voltage regulator
IC2 PIC16F1938 in socket
Miscellaneous
L1, L2 100uH inductor
ALARM, SET, ADJ, DST Miniature push utton
IC2 Socket 28 Way narrow IC socket for IC2
PWR (12V IN Socket) 2.1mm PCB power socket
GPS, PIR Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket
LS1 Piezo sounder
FUSE 500mA fuse
X1 32.768KHz watch crystal
J1 12 way MicroMatch Connector
(Female)
CY18 Module Rx Module with 2 X 2 way
connectors

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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3.2 Packi g Sheet – Driver Board
Part Descriptio Qua tity
Resistors
270 Ω, ¼ Watt 6
4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt 3
390 KΩ, ¼ Watt 1
Capacitors
10pF, Ceramic 1
33pF, Ceramic 1
100nF, Ceramic 2
220uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 3
1uF, 250V, Electrolytic 1
0.22F 1
Transistors
IRFD220 1
MPSA42 1
Diodes
1N5819 3
1N4148 1
UF4004 1
3mm Yellow LED 3
APA106 RGB LED 6
Integrated Circuits
LM2576 5V voltage regulator 1
PIC16F1938 8- it microcontroller 1
Miscellaneous
100uH inductor 2
Miniature push utton 4
28 way narrow IC Socket for IC2 1
2.1mm PCB power socket 1
Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket 2
Piezo sounder 1
500mA fuse 1
12 way MicroMatch connector
(Female)
1
CY18 Rx Module 1
2 way Right angle connector 2
32.768KHz watch crystal 1
3.3 Packi g Sheet - Additio al parts – Driver Board
 Printed Circuit Board 159mm X 55mm
 5cm lack heat shrink tu ing (5mm diameter)
 20cm insulated wire for the whip antenna
 2 X M3 X 5mm plastic screws
 2 X M3 X 4mm plastic screws
 2 X M3 X 6mm threaded hex spacer (plastic)
 Laser-cut Jig for forming and mounting the LEDs

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
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3.4 Packi g Sheet - IN-8 Tube PCB
 Printed Circuit Board with pre-soldered HV5622 ICs
 12 Way Micromatch connector (Male)
 4 X 4mm neon lamps
 30cm clear heat shrink
 66 gold socket receptacles
 2 X 100nF ceramic capacitors
 6 X 15 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 4 X 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 2 X 50mm tall glass cover tu es
3.5 Packi g Sheet - NL840 Tube PCB
 Printed Circuit Board with pre-soldered HV5622 ICs
 12 Way Micromatch connector (Male)
 4 X 4mm neon lamps
 30cm clear heat shrink
 66 gold socket receptacles
 2 X 100nF ceramic capacitors
 6 X 10 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 4 X 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 2 X 50mm tall glass cover tu es
3.6 Packi g Sheet - ZM1000 Tube PCB
 Printed Circuit Board with pre-soldered HV5622 ICs
 12 Way Micromatch connector (Male)
 4 X 4mm neon lamps
 30cm clear heat shrink
 3 X 20 Way socket strip
 6 X Single socket receptcle
 2 X 100nF ceramic capacitors
 6 X 15 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 4 X 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt resistors
 2 X 50mm tall glass cover tu es

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
3.7
Parts Ide tificatio
The resi
stors used in the kit are 1% tolerance me
marked with four
coloured ands to identify the value. However it
is sometimes unclear in which direction the ands should e read.
Therefore, we recommend
multimeter.
Please note
the fuse w
easily e confused for a capacitor. It is a self
Inductors L1 and L2 may take different apperances:
Parts Ide tificatio
stors used in the kit are 1% tolerance me
tal film. They are
coloured ands to identify the value. However it
is sometimes unclear in which direction the ands should e read.
Therefore, we recommend
that the resistors e identified with a
the fuse w
ill look like one of the pictures
elow. It can
easily e confused for a capacitor. It is a self
-
resetting fuse.
Inductors L1 and L2 may take different apperances:
- 9 -
tal film. They are
coloured ands to identify the value. However it
is sometimes unclear in which direction the ands should e read.
that the resistors e identified with a
elow. It can
resetting fuse.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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4. ASSEMBLY OF THE TUBE PCB
4.1 J2 (12 Way Micromatch co ector (male))
Clip off the polarization ta from the connector as it is not needed.
Then solder the connector into the tu e PCB on the opposite side to
the pre-soldered ICs.
Now, proceed accordi g to the tube type you are usi g.
4.2 IN-8 a d NL84x Nixie Tubes
There are 66 individual sockets that need to e soldered in. The
est method is a follows.
IN-8: Slide 11 sockets onto the 11 pins of the tu e.
NL84x: Slide 10 sockets onto the 10 outer pins on the tu e. With
reference to the PCB check which one of the inner pins is needed
(the corresponding hole on the PCB is plated), and slide a socket
over this pin too.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
Insert the tu e with sockets into the PCB from the side with the
pre-
soldered ICs.
from side to side, to get all the sockets to fully go into the holes, to
the level as shown elow.
Flip over the PCB and
vertical. Solder sparingly
the annulus, withdraw the solder and soldering iron.
Remove the tu e, then solder the next tu e locations in turn.
Finally clip off the long tails
Insert the tu e with sockets into the PCB from the side with the
soldered ICs.
Push firmly in. Y
ou may need to wiggle a little
from side to side, to get all the sockets to fully go into the holes, to
the level as shown elow.
Flip over the PCB and
solder the pins, ensuring the tu e stays
vertical. Solder sparingly
–
as soon as you see solder flow around
the annulus, withdraw the solder and soldering iron.
Remove the tu e, then solder the next tu e locations in turn.
Finally clip off the long tails
of the sockets.
- 11 -
Insert the tu e with sockets into the PCB from the side with the
ou may need to wiggle a little
from side to side, to get all the sockets to fully go into the holes, to
solder the pins, ensuring the tu e stays
as soon as you see solder flow around
Remove the tu e, then solder the next tu e locations in turn.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
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4.3 ZM1000 Nixie Tubes
Break the three 20 Way socket strips into lengths of 5. Nail clippers
are very effective for this.
At each location, solder two of the strips and a single socket as
shown. Note carefully the location of the single socket.
Solder sparingly – as soon as you see solder flow around the
annulus, withdraw the solder and soldering iron.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
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4.4 R20 – R25 (15 KΩ or 10KΩ)
R26 – R29 (390 KΩ)
C12, C13 (100 F)
You can solder the top pads if its easier – the holes are plated
through, so it does not matter if you solder the top pads or the
ottom pads. Don’t solder top AND ottom, there is no need. As
with all the components, after soldering clip the excess leads off.
4.5 AM1, AM2, PM1, PM2 (4 mm eo lamp)
Each neon is separately addressa le, and many flashing and
indication modes are implemented – see the configuration setup
later in the manual.
Cut the clear heat shrink tu ing into 8 lengths acording to the tu e
type.
Tu e Type Long Pieces Short Pieces
IN-8 35mm 20mm
NL84x 30mm 15mm
ZM1000 30mm 15mm
Slip the insulation over the neon lamp leads and with a hot air gun,
shrink the tu ing:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
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- 14 -
Finally, solder the neons in place on the PCB, with the taller neons
at the ack. The glass cover tu es can e placed over later.
The tu e PCB is now complete.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
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5. ASSEMBLY OF THE DRIVER PCB
5.1 J1 (12 Way Micromatch co ector (Female))
To solder this perfectly, it is est to fit the tu e oard temporarily
so you can e sure everthing is in perfect alignment. Gather
together the components elow. The screws are the shorter, 4mm
ones.
Then screw the hex spacers in position as shown elow and also
loosely place the 12 way connector.
Then place the tu e PCB in position, and engage the 12 way
connectors and screw together with the longer 5mm screws.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
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You can now solder the 12 way connector, on the ottom of the
driver PCB. Then remove the tu e PCB and all the screws and
spacers.
5.2 Low Voltage Ge erator compo e ts.
Fuse
D1, D2 (1N5819)
D3 (1N4148)
C1, C2 (220uF)
PWR (DC Socket)
L1(100uH I ductor)
IC1 (LM2576)
IC1 is a Surface Mount part, ut it is large and easy to solder. Start
y wetting one pad with solder. Then place the part in position and
heat the lead so the solder elow it melts and anchors the part.
The four other leads can then e soldered. Do not solder the
heatsink ta .
C1 and C2 are polarized. The Positive lead is the longest, and goes
in the pad marked ‘+’. The diodes are also polarized – the and on
the part must match the and marked on the white PCB marking.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 17 -
5.3 Testi g Low Voltage Power Supply.
Identify the test GND, 5V and HV test points at the side of the PCB.
Plug in the 12V DC power supply, and then test using a DC
voltmeter: Touch the lack pro e on the GND test point and the
red pro e on the 5V test point. The voltage should measure
etween 5.6 and 5.9 Volts. If not, disconnect power and check
your work. Do not proceed with the assem ly until the error is
corrected. Once the test is completed, disconnect the power.
5.4 High Voltage Ge erator compo e ts.
Socket for IC2
R1, R3 (4.7 KΩ)
R2 (390 KΩ)
C3 (1uF)
C4 (220uF)
D4 (1N5819)
D5 (UF4004)
Q1 (IRFD220)
L2 (100uH I ductor)

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
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Take care that the notched end of the IC socket is at the end
shown. However if after you solder the part you realise the notch is
at the wrong end, DON’T try to desolder it! Actually, so long as the
IC has the correct orientation, the socket does not really matter.
Also the MOSFET needs to e placed with the two joined pins as
marked on the PCB.
5.5 High Voltage Ge erator Test.
- Refer to the warnings on page 5
- Insert IC2 into its socket. Orient the notch on the IC with the
notch on the IC socket and the PCB marking.
- Power up the PCB, and using the GND and HV test points,
measure the high voltage generated using a voltmeter on DC
setting. It should e etween 165 and 176 Volts. If this is in order,
disconnect the power supply.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
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5.6 R7 (4.7 KΩ)
C5 (10pF)
C6 (33pF)
X1 (Watch Crystal)
C8 (100 F)
The 10pF capacitor is usually marked ‘10’ and not surprisingly the
33pF is marked ‘33’. The 100nF is marked 104. Don’t switch C5
and C6 or the timekeeping will e very slow.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’
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5.7 Tube Test
Now comes a very exciting part of the assem ly – the first tu e
test. Replace the two small hex spacers that support the tu e PCB.
Remem er to use the smaller 4mm screws underneath the driver
oard. Plug in the tu e PCB, taking care the fuse is not trapped
under it, ut stands to the side of the tu e PCB.
Take six Nixie Tu es corresponding to your tu e PCB, and carefully
insert into the sockets.
Now power up. After a short delay, the tu es should light and all
start counting from zero to 9 and repeat. Please note this is a
count UP, not a count DOWN. If you contact us with a support
issue at this stage, please e clear a out the count UP. If you refer
to a count DOWN, it will e very confusing and slow down your
support query!
If you do not get this count UP, or have missing or overlapping
digits, stop and check your work. Missing digits is usually rectified
y pinching the tu e contacts (when powered off!) so they make
etter contact with the tu e. Also try swapping tu es around to see
if the pro lem is with the tu e, or the location. Please make these
asic tests efore contacting us for help and have the results to
hand.
Once completed, remove the tu e PCB and store it safely.