Pvelectronics Nixie 5750 Configuration guide

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
Issue 1 (5 July 2020)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 1 -
Assembly Instructions
And
User Guide
Nixie Clock Type
‘Nixie 5750
For Parts Bag Serial
Numbers from 000 onwards

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
Issue 1 (5 July 2020)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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REVISION HISTORY
Issue
Number
Date Reason for Issue
Issue 1 5 July 2020 New document

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
Issue 1 (5 July 2020)
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Nixie 5750 - Features
 Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
 Drives a wide range of small sized solder-in tubes
 Uses a Quartz Crystal Oscillator as the timebase
 12 or 24 hour modes
 Programmable leading zero blanking
 Date display in either DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY or YY.MM.DD format
 Programmable date display each minute
 Scrolling display of date or standard display
 Alarm, with programmable snooze period
 Optional GPS / WiFi / XTERNA synchronisation with status indicator LED
 Dedicated DST button to switch between DST and standard time
 Supercapacitor backup. Keeps time during short power outages
 Simple time setting using two buttons
 Configurable for leading zero blanking
 Double dot colon neon lamps
 11 colon neon modes including AM / PM indication (top / bottom or left /
right), railroad (slow or fast) etc.
 Seconds can be reset to zero to precisely the set time
 Programmable night mode - blanked or dimmed display to save tubes or
prevent sleep disturbance
 Rear Indicator LEDs dim at night to prevent sleep disturbance
 Weekday aware ‘Master Blank’ function to turn off tubes and LEDs on
weekends or during working hours
 Separate modes for colon neons during night mode
 Standard, fading, or crossfading with scrollback display modes
 ‘Slot Machine’ Cathode poisoning prevention routine
 Programmable RGB tube lighting – select your favourite colour palette
 729 colours possible. Have a different colour or your choosing every
hour, or autochanging colours
 Not AC frequency dependent – works in all countries
 Supports output Sync Pulse for our DekaDuo Dekatron Driver Board
 All user preferences stored to non-volatile memory
 Additional wireless functions if XTERNA module used:
- Display of outdoor temperature in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Configurable.
- 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 battery

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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1.2 Tubes Supported
There are many types of tube this kit will drive – all have the same
pinout. The commonest types are as follows:
B-5750
B-5870
5853S
GR-116D
ZM1330
ZM1332
Digit height is generally 13mm for all these tubes. A typical tube is
shown below:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
Issue 1 (5 July 2020)
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1.3 SAFETY
DANGER: The clock pcb includes a switched-mode voltage booster
circuit. This generates nominally 170 Volts DC. 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: This 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. The supplier, his agents or
associates accept no liability for any damage, injury or death arising from
the use of this kit of parts.
This 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 Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
2.1 Tools required to assemble the PCB.
The following tools will be required to assemble 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 suitable).
- Multimeter for voltage tests and for identifying the resistors.
- A small hot air gun will be needed to shrink the heat shrink tubing
over the neon lamp wires.
2.2 Materials you will need.
Solder – lead / tin solder is highly recommended.
USE LEAD/ TIN SOLDER!
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.
Black nail varnish to obscure the majority of the RGB LEDs
2.3 Other items you will need.
The clock kit does not include a power adapter.
The following type of adapter should be obtained and used with the kit:
Output 12V DC regulated, minimum power output capability of 500mA
Output plug: 2.1mm pin, centre positive.
A suitable adapter is shown below:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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3. LIST OF COMPONENTS
3.1 Table of Components – Driver Board
Circuit Designation Part Description
Resistors
R1 – R4 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R3 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R5 300 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R6 - R11 270 Ω, ¼ Watt
R12 – R14 1 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R15 – R20 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R21 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R22 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt
R32 390K
R23- R26 4.7K
Capacitors
C1, C2 220uF Electrolytic
C3 1uF, 250V,
C4 220uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic
C5 15pF Ceramic
C6 33pF Ceramic
C7 100nF Ceramic
C8 0.1F or 0.22F
C9 100nF Ceramic
Transistors
Q1 IRFD220 MOSFET
Q2 – Q4 EL817 Optocoupler
Q5 – Q9 MPSA42
Diodes
D1 – D3 1N5819
D4 1N4148
D5 UF4004
D6 5mm Yellow LED
D7 5mm Green LED
D8 5mm Yellow LED
RGB1 – RGB6 APA106 RGB LED
Integrated Circuits
IC1 LM2576 5V voltage regulator
IC2 PIC16F1938 8-bit microcontroller
IC3 HV5812 (pre-soldered)
Miscellaneous
L1, L2 100uH inductor
AM1, AM2, PM1, PM2 4mm wire ended neon lamp
ALARM, SET, ADJ, DST Miniature push button
IC2 Socket 28 Way narrow IC socket for IC2
J1 2.1mm PCB power socket
GPS / RFT Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket
LS1 Piezo sounder
FUSE 500mA fuse
Insulation 25 cm Clear insulation for neons
X1 32.768KHz watch crystal

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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Tube test Socket
30cm Tube Test Cable
J2 10 Way 0.1” Female socket strip
J3 10 Way 0.1” Male strip

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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3.2 Parts list / Packing Sheet - Component Bag
Part Description Quantity
Resistors
270 Ω, ¼ Watt 6
1 KΩ, ¼ Watt 3
4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt 9
15 KΩ, ¼ Watt 4
300 KΩ, ¼ Watt 1
390 KΩ, ¼ Watt 2
Capacitors
15pF, Ceramic 1
33pF, Ceramic 1
100nF, Ceramic 3
1uF, 250V, Electrolytic 1
220uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 3
0.1F or 0.22F 1
Transistors
IRFD220 MOSFET 1
MPSA42 5
EL817 Optocoupler 3
Diodes
1N5819 3
UF4004 fast recovery diode 1
1N4148 1
5mm Green LED 1
5mm Yellow LED 2
APA106 RGB LED 6
Integrated Circuits
LM2576 5V voltage regulator 1
PIC16F1938 8-bit microcontroller 1
HV5812 (pre soldered) 1
Miscellaneous
100uH inductor 2
4mm wire ended neon lamp 4
Miniature push button 4
28 way narrow IC Socket for IC2 1
2.1mm PCB power socket 1
Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket 1
Piezo sounder 1
500mA fuse 1
25cm Clear insulation for neons 1
32.768KHz watch crystal 1
Tube test Socket 1
30cm Tube test cable 1
10 Way 0.1” Male strip 1
10 Way 0.1” Female socket strip 1

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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Additional Hardware
M3 X 6mm screw 4
11mm Female / Female hex spacer 4
8mm Male / Female hex spacer 4
We recommend to check against the list above, to ensure all parts
are present before commencing assembly.
The resistors used in the kit are 1% tolerance metal film. They are
marked with 4 coloured bands to identify the value. However it is
sometimes unclear in which direction the bands should be read.
Therefore, we recommend that the resistors be identified with a
multimeter.
Please note the fuse will look like the picture below. It can easily be
confused for a capacitor. It is a self-resetting fuse.
The 15pF and 33pF capacitors will be marked 15 and 33
respectively. The 100nF capacitors will be marked 104.
Q1 (IRFD220) is in a very similar package to Q2 – Q4 (EL817). You
can tell the difference, in addition to the part marking by looking at
the pins. Q1 has two pins that are actually joined at the resin body.
Q2 – Q4 have 4 separate pins.
Inductors L1 and L2 may be one of three types:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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4. ASSEMBLY OF THE PCB
DUE TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS,
YOUR PCB MAY NOT LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE
PICTURED.
4.1
Low Voltage Power components:
J1, FUSE
D1-D3 (1N5819)
D4 (1N4148)
IC1 (LM2576)
L2 (100uH Inductor)
C1, C2 (220uF)
Start by installing D1-D4. The diodes are also polarized – the band on
the part must match the band marked on the white PCB marking.

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IC1 is a Surface Mount part, but it is large and easy to solder. Start
by wetting one pad with solder. Then place the part in position and
heat the lead so the solder below it melts and anchors the part. The
four other leads can then be soldered. Do not solder the heatsink tab.
C1 and C2 are polarized. The Positive lead is the longest, and goes in
the pad marked ‘+’.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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Finally solder the fuse, connector J1 and Inductor L1. L1 is a tight fit,
so push it in hard so that it is as close to the PCB as possible,
preventing fouling the top PCB.
4.2 Testing Low Voltage Power Supply.
Identify the test GND, 5V and HV test points as shown below.
Plug in the power supply, and then test using a DC voltmeter:
Touch the black probe on the GND test point and the red probe on
the 5V test point. The voltage should measure between 5.6 and 5.9
Volts. If not, disconnect power and check your work. Do not
proceed with the assembly until the error is corrected. Once the
test is completed, disconnect the power.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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IF YOU CHOOSE TO PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT
WITHOUT GETTING THE CORRECT VOLTAGE, WE WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO OFFER SUPPORT
4.3 High Voltage Generator components.
Socket for IC2
R1 - R4 (4.7 KΩ)
R5 (390 KΩ)
C3 (1uF)
C4 (220uF)
Q1 (IRFD220)
L2 (100uH Inductor)
D5 (UF4004)
Solder the 5 resistors and the diode first as they are lower profile –
its easier to solder the top pad rather than the bottom pad. This
prevents the component falling out as you try to solder an inverted
PCB! L2 is a tight fit, so push it in hard so that it is as close to the
PCBas possible, preventing fouling the top PCB.

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Also the MOSFET needs to be placed with the two joined pins at the
position shown below.
Take care that the notched end of the IC socket is at the end
shown. However, if you find you soldered it with the wrong
orientation, do not try to remove it. It is perfectly fine with the
notch at the wrong end, just be sure to place the IC in the socket
with the IC’s notch in the correct position.
C3 and C4 are polarized. The Positive lead is the longest, and goes
in the pad marked ‘+’.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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4.4 High Voltage Generator 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 be between 164 and 176 Volts. If this is in order,
disconnect the power supply. If you do not get this voltage, do not
proceed. Refer to the troubleshooting section on page 46.
IF YOU CHOOSE TO PROCEED BEYOND THIS POINT
WITHOUT GETTING THE CORRECT VOLTAGE, WE WILL NOT
BE ABLE TO OFFER SUPPORT
4.5 C5 (15pF)
C6 (33pF)
X1 (32.768KHz Crystal)
C7 (100nF but marked ‘104’)
(C7 may be a different colour)

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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4.6 Preparing The Tube Test Cables
Take the 30cm of cable and cut it in half, then strip 2mm insulation
from each end and tin the exposed strands. To one end of one
cable, solder the very small socket receptacle:
Solder the other end of this lead to the ‘ANODE’ pad as shown
below. And solder one end of the other lead to the ‘CATHODES’
pad.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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4.7 Testing The Tubes
Prior to soldering the tubes to the PCB, it makes sense to test all
digits on all tubes – removing a bad tube is a fiddly job. First of all,
we suggest to clip off the outer two leads as they are just for
decimal points, which are not used in this kit.
First, identify the anode on the tube. We are showing GR116D
tubes, but all tubes compatible with this kit have the same anode
location. It is quite simple – the anode is the front left pin of the
tube.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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Then, push the anode test lead, with the socket on, onto the anode
lead.
Now, remembering that the board generates 170V, power up the
PCB and use the bare end of the cathode wire to touch up against
each of the cathode wires in turn, and check that all digits light.
Once the tube tests have been completed, you can desolder the 2
test wires from the main PCB.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie 5750’
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4.8 J2 (10 Way female socket strip)
J3 (10 Way male header)
These are the parts you will need for this step:
Start by screwing the 11mm hex spacers to each corner of the
main PCB:
Now push the male and female connectors together and insert the
FEMALE side into the J2 position on the main PCB.