Pvelectronics Frank 3 Configuration guide

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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Assembly Instructions
And
User Guide
Nixie Clock Type ‘Frank 3’
Software version: 5R
Hardware Revision:
12 Dec 07, 7 Jan 08

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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Table of Contents
1. IN RODUC ION ................................................................3
1.1 About the clock...............................................................3
1.2 Clock features.................................................................3
1.3 Safety ...........................................................................4
2. OOLS AND EQUIPMEN REQUIRED ............................... 5
2.1 ools required to assemble the PCB...................................5
2.2 Materials you will need ....................................................6
2.3 Other items you will need ................................................6
3. LIS OF COMPONEN S .......................................................6
3.1 able of components .......................................................6
3.2 Parts list ................................................................. 7
3.3 How to identify the correct components .............................8
4. ASSEMBLY OF HE PCB ......................................................9
4.1 Diodes D1-D4 .................................................................9
4.2 Diode D5 .......................................................................9
4.3 IC2 and C3.....................................................................9
4.4 IC1 and Q1 .................................................................. 10
4.5 C1, C2 and C5 .............................................................. 10
4.6 R1, R2, R3, R5, R6 ........................................................ 10
4.7 Variable resistor VR1 ..................................................... 11
4.8 MOSFE Q2 .................................................................. 11
4.9 Inductor L1 .................................................................. 12
4.10 esting the 170V and 5V power supplies ........................ 12
4.10.1 Making up the Power Input Cable ............................... 12
4.10.2 esting the power supplies ........................................ 14
4.11 Socket for IC3, IC4...................................................... 14
4.12 R28, C6, D6................................................................ 14
4.13 Q3-Q8, Q9-Q14, R7-R24 .............................................. 15
4.14 1mm Nixie ube Sockets .............................................. 15
4.15 R25 ........................................................................... 15
4.16 Nixie ubes IN-17 ....................................................... 15
4.17 SW1, SW2.................................................................. 16
4.18 Wire Link.................................................................... 16
5. FINAL ES ING OF PCB.................................................... 17
6. HOW O OPERA E HE CLOCK ......................................... 18
7. CIRCUI DIAGRAM .......................................................... 20
8. DIMENSIONED DRAWING ................................................ 21

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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. INTRODUCTION
. About the clock
Nixie clock type ‘Frank 3’ is a compact design with all components
and tubes mounted on a single PCB. he efficient use of board
space is achieved by using a multiplex design to drive the display
tubes. Only a single high-voltage binary-to-decimal 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.
he larger tubes for hours and minutes are type IN-12 with a digit
height of 18mm. he smaller tubes for the seconds are type IN-17
with a digit height of 9mm. hese tubes are Russian in origin and
were produced during the 1980’s, when the technology was at it’s
most advanced. It is expected that the tubes will last for very many
years and should not need replacing.
he optional wooden case and hardware pack (rear cover, screws),
supplied rough-machined, can be finished to give a very attractive
clock for everyday living spaces. he quality of the final finish will
reflect the time and care that is taken to finish the wood with
successively finer grades of sandpaper. Alternatively, you may wish
to design your own enclosure for the clock
.2 Clock Features
Nixie clock type ‘Frank 3’ has the following features:
- Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
- Uses the mains AC as the timebase
- Selectable at power-up to work with 50Hz (Europe) or 60Hz
(Americas)
- Simple time setting using two buttons
- 12 or 24 hour modes
- Maintains time during setup mode, eg. When changing between
Standard time and Daylight Savings ime
- Seconds can be reset to zero to make small adjustments /
precisely set time
- hree display modes: Blanked / Standard change of digits /
Fading digits

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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.3 SAFETY
DANGER: he clock pcb includes a switched-mode voltage booster
circuit. his generates nominally 180 Volts DC, but is capable of
generating up to 300 Volts before adjustment. Assembly may only
be undertaken by individuals who are suitably qualified and
experienced in electronics assembly, and are familiar with safe
procedures for working with high voltages. If in doubt, refer to a
suitably qualified engineer before proceeding.
The voltages generated by this circuit can give a potentially
LETHAL ELECTRIC SHOCK.
DISCLAIMER: his product is supplied as a kit of parts, intended
only for suitably qualified electronic engineers, who are suitably
qualified and experienced in electronics assembly, and are familiar
with safe procedures for working with high voltages. he supplier,
his agents or associates accept no liability for any damage, injury
or death arising from the use of this kit of parts.
his is not a finished product, and the person assembling the kit is
responsible for ensuring that the finished product complies with any
applicable local regulations governing electrical equipment, eg. UL,
CE, VDE.

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
2. Tools required to assemble the PCB
he following tools will be required to assemble the PCB:
- Soldering iron with a small tip (1-2 mm)
- Wire cutters ( IP: A small pair of nail clippers works very well
for this function)
- Wire strippers ( IP: A small pair of scissors is quite suitable)
- Multimeter
- Small flat screwdriver for adjusting the high voltage supply
2.2 Materials you will need
Solder – lead / tin solder is preferred. Lead – free solder, as now
required to be used in commercial products in Europe, has a much
higher melting 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 Other items you will need
he clock kit does not include a power adapter. his is because the
kit is sold to many countries around the world, each with very
different household mains outlet socket types. It is more efficient
for the user to buy a suitable adapter locally. his saves shipping a
heavy adapter with the kit, and also the extra costs of managing
stocks of many varied power adapters.
he type of power adapter can be obtained at very low cost. he
following type of adapter should be obtained and used with the kit:
Mains AC to AC adapter ( his is important, as the AC signal is
needed for the timebase)
Output 9-12V AC
Minimum power output capability of 250 mA
Output plug: 2.1mm pin
A suitable adapter is shown in figure 1 below:
Figure 1

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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3. LIST OF COMPONENTS
3. Table of components (In sequence)
Circuit Designation Part Description
Resistors
R1 33K, ¼ Watt
R2 10K, ¼ Watt
R3 1K, ¼ Watt
R4 Not Installed
R5 470R, ¼ Watt
R6 220K, ¼ Watt
R7-R12 390K, ¼ Watt
R13-R22 5.6K, ¼ Watt
R23, R24 10K, ¼ Watt
R25 390K, ¼ Watt
R26 Not Installed
R27 Not Installed
R28 33K, ¼ Watt
Capacitors
C1 470uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic
C2 100uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic
C3 2.2nF ceramic or polyester
C4 Not Installed
C5 1uF, 250V, Electrolytic
C6 22nF, ceramic or polyester
ransistors
Q1 MPSA42 NPN
Q2 S P7NK30Z N-Channel MOSFE
Q3-Q8 MPSA92 PNP
Q9-Q14 MPSA42 NPN
Diodes
D1-D4 1N4001
D5 1N4936 fast recovery diode
D6 5.6V Zener Diode
D7 Not Installed
Integrated Circuits
IC1 78L05 5V voltage regulator
IC2 NE555 imer IC
IC3 PIC16F627A 8 bit Microcontroller
IC4 74141 / K155N Nixie driver
Miscellaneous
L1 100uH – 220uH Inductor
NE1, NE2 4mm wire ended neon lamp
NX1-NX4 IN-12 Nixie tube
NX5, NX6 IN-17 Nixie tube
SW1, SW2 Miniature push button
VR1 1K Potentiometer
PCB ‘Frank 3’ PCB
IC Socket 18 Way IC Socket for IC3
CONN 2.1mm Power socket
Cable ~60mm two way cable
SK 1-44 1mm Harwin solder-in socket

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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3.2 Parts list / Packing sheet
Part Description Quantity
Resistors
33K, ¼ Watt 2
10K, ¼ Watt 3
1K, ¼ Watt 1
470R, ¼ Watt 1
220K, ¼ Watt 1
390K, ¼ Watt 7
5.6K, ¼ Watt 10
Capacitors
470uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 1
100uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 1
2.2nF ceramic or polyester 1
1uF, 250V, Electrolytic 1
22nF, ceramic or polyester 1
ransistors
S P7NK30Z N-Channel MOSFE 1
MPSA92 PNP 6
MPSA42 NPN 7
Diodes
1N4001 4
1N4936 fast recovery diode 1
5.6V Zener Diode 1
Integrated Circuits
78L05 5V voltage regulator 1
NE555 imer IC 1
PIC16F627A 8 bit Microcontroller 1
74141 / K155N Nixie driver 1
Miscellaneous
100uH – 220uH Inductor 1
4mm wire ended neon lamp 2
IN-12 Nixie tube 4
IN-17 Nixie tube 2
Miniature push button 2
1K Potentiometer 1
‘Frank 3’ PCB 1
IC Socket, 18 way DIL 1
2.1mm Power Connector 1
Cable – 60mm piece 1
1mm Harwin solder-in socket 44
It is recommended that the kit is checked against the list above, to
ensure all parts are present before commencing assembly.

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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3.3 How to identify the correct components
Resistors:
he resistors are easy to identify by the coloured bands
across the cylindrical body. Using a multimeter it should will
be possible very quickly to identify the different values.
Capacitors:
ake care when identifying the 2 small ceramic or polyester
capacitors. Depending on part availability, 2 or more different
types may be supplied. he 22nF capacitor (C6) may be
marked 22nF, 22n, or 223. he 2.2nF capacitor (C3) may be
marked 2.2nF, 2.2n, or 222.
ransistors:
he MOSFE Q2 can easily be identified as it has a large
metal heatsink. Note: Due to part availability, this part may
be substituted for a different but equivalent part number so
the part marking may not necessarily be ‘S P7NK30Z’. One
alternative part number is ‘IRF730’.
Diodes:
he four 1N4001 diodes D1-D4 are black and are marked
1N4001. he other black diode is D5, and again due to part
availability it may be substituted for an equivalent.
D6 is the small, glass bodied diode

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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4. ASSEMBLY OF THE PCB
4. Diodes D -D4
Start by bending the leads of the four diodes to approximately
match the spacing of the holes on the PCB. Insert the four diodes
taking care to match up the white bands on the components with
the component marking on the PCB. See Figure 2 below.
Figure 2
Solder in the diodes, then using the wire clippers trim off the leads.
4.2 Diode D5
D5 is the remaining black diode. Again noting the position of the
white band, place in position, solder in and trim the leads.
4.3 IC2 and C3
IC2 must be oriented correctly. he notch or dot at one end
corresponds to pin 1. his goes into the SQUARE pad. Also place
and solder in C3.
Figure 3 shows D5, IC2 and C3 correctly placed.
Figure 3: IC2, C3 and D5

Nixie Clock ‘Frank 3’
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4.4 IC and Q
IC1 and Q1 look very similar, so be careful to identify them
correctly by the white marking on each component. he leads
should not need to be formed, just separated a little. Align the flat
of the body of these components with the marked flat on the PCB.
Push each component into it’s holes until the body is just 2 mm
from the pcb. Solder in and trim the leads.
4.5 C , C2 and C5
Now it is time to solder in the three electrolytic capacitors. hese
components must be placed the correct way round or else the
circuit will fail. Each capacitor has a positive lead, which has the
longer lead, and a negative lead, marked by a white or grey stripe
on the body. In Figure 5, the longer lead (+ve) and white stripe (-
VE) can be clearly seen.
Figure 5: C5, C2, C1
Place each component with the longer lead on the hole marked ‘+’.
Solder in and trim the leads.
4.6 R , R2, R3, R5, R6
Note that R4 is marked on the board, but is not used for this clock.
hese resistors, indeed all the resistors on the board need to be
mounted upright to save space. he leads need to be formed as
shown in figure 6. Bent the leads of each resistor as shown and
solder in to the correct postion, making sure the component body
is as close to the board as possible.
Figure 6: Resistor
leads formed for
mounting upright.