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PV Electronics Elite Nixie Assembly Instructions And User Manual

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Assembly Instructions
And
User Guide
'Elite Nixie'
Nixie Tube Clock 'Elite'
- 1 -
Issue 3 (25 July 2018)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk

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Summary of Contents for PV Electronics Elite Nixie

  • Page 1 Assembly Instructions User Guide ‘Elite Nixie’ Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 1 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 2 REVISION HISTORY Issue Date Reason for Issue Number 25 July 2018 Improved NL840 neon details ZM1000 Tube details added 07 June 2018 Added more NL840 details 04 May 2018 New document Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 2 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 3 RODUCTION 1. INT Here are the key features of the ELITE Nixie: Hours, Minutes and Seconds display  Direct drive to six medium size Plug-in Nixie Tubes  Supports IN-8, ZM1000, NL840, NL841, NL842, NL844, NL845, NL846,  NL900, NL901 and CK8754 Noiseless, Direct Drive giving optimum digit clarity ...
  • Page 4 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.
  • Page 5 2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED 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).

  • Page 6: Ω, ¼ Watt

    3. LIST OF COMPONENTS Table of Components – Driver Board Circuit Designation Part Description Resistors 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt R4, R5, R6 270 Ω, ¼ Watt 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt R8, R9, R10 270 Ω, ¼...
  • Page 7 Packing Sheet – Driver Board Part Description Quantity Resistors 270 Ω, ¼ Watt 4.7 KΩ, ¼ Watt 390 KΩ, ¼ Watt Capacitors 10pF, Ceramic 33pF, Ceramic 100nF, Ceramic 220uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic 1uF, 250V, Electrolytic 0.22F Transistors IRFD220 MPSA42 Diodes 1N5819 1N4148 UF4004 3mm Yellow LED...

  • Page 8: Kω, ¼ Watt

    Packing 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 ...
  • Page 9 Parts Identification Parts Identification The resistors used in the kit are 1% tolerance me stors used in the kit are 1% tolerance metal film. They are tal film. They are marked with four coloured bands to identify the value. However it coloured bands to identify the value.
  • Page 10 ASSEMBLY OF THE TUBE PCB J2 (12 Way Micromatch connector (male)) Clip off the polarization tab from the connector as it is not needed. Then solder the connector into the tube PCB on the opposite side to the pre-soldered ICs. Now, proceed according to the tube type you are using.
  • Page 11 Insert the tube with sockets into the PCB from the side with the Insert the tube with sockets into the PCB from the side with the Insert the tube with sockets into the PCB from the side with the pre-soldered ICs. soldered ICs.

  • Page 12: Nixie Tube Clock 'Elite

    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 –...

  • Page 13: Issue 3 (25 July

    R20 – R25 (15 KΩ or 10KΩ) R26 – R29 (390 KΩ) C12, C13 (100nF) 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 bottom pads.
  • Page 14 Finally, solder the neons in place on the PCB, with the taller neons at the back. The glass cover tubes can be placed over later. The tube PCB is now complete. Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 14 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 15 ASSEMBLY OF THE DRIVER PCB J1 (12 Way Micromatch connector (Female)) To solder this perfectly, it is best to fit the tube board temporarily so you can be sure everthing is in perfect alignment. Gather together the components below. The screws are the shorter, 4mm ones.
  • Page 16 You can now solder the 12 way connector, on the bottom of the driver PCB. Then remove the tube PCB and all the screws and spacers. Low Voltage Generator components. Fuse D1, D2 (1N5819) D3 (1N4148) C1, C2 (220uF) PWR (DC Socket) L1(100uH Inductor) IC1 (LM2576) IC1 is a Surface Mount part, but it is large and easy to solder.
  • Page 17 Testing 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 black probe on the GND test point and the red probe on the 5V test point.
  • Page 18 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.
  • Page 19 R7 (4.7 KΩ) C5 (10pF) C6 (33pF) X1 (Watch Crystal) C8 (100nF) 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 be very slow. Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’...
  • Page 20 Tube Test Now comes a very exciting part of the assembly – the first tube test. Replace the two small hex spacers that support the tube PCB. Remember to use the smaller 4mm screws underneath the driver board. Plug in the tube PCB, taking care the fuse is not trapped under it, but stands to the side of the tube PCB.
  • Page 21 R4, R5, R6, R8, R9, R10 (270Ω) Q2 (MPSA42) LS1(Piezo sounder) C7 (0.22F) C9 (100nF) PIR, GPS (SMD Jack Sockets) The 0.22F capacitor is polarised – note the arrows on the PCB, to correspond with the arrows on the part. To solder the SMD jack sockets, first tin one pad per jack socket: Then place the socket over the pad and re-heat the pad to wet the solder and anchor the part.
  • Page 22 5.10 CY18 Module and Connectors Push the two connectors onto the end pins of the CY18 receiver Module. Then position on the PCB. Press the black connectors level with the the PCB,and check alignment of the module before soldering the four pads.
  • Page 23 5.11 SET, ADJ, DST, ALARM (Push button switch) Only solder the two pins closest to the board edge. The other two pins are the frame and are not electrically connected. By only soldering the two active pads, if you make a mistake it is much easier to remove or re-position the switches! It is easier to solder one pin per switch first, then re-position by rewetting the pad until the switch is fully pushed into position.
  • Page 24 Now the anode leads of the LEDs will be in the correct orientation as you insert into the holes in the PCB behind the ALARM and DST switches. Use the jig again, to align the LEDs above the switches. This will give the correct spacing for if you want to use one of our cases.
  • Page 25 5.13 RGB1 – RGB6 (APA106 RGB LED) Using the large hole in the LED jig, bend the LED leads in three steps as shown below, noting the position of the longer two leads. Then install the RGB LEDs from the base of the PCB. Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’...
  • Page 26 To prevent excess stray light, you can add small pieces of the 5mm heat shrink over the LEDs. It is not necessary to shrink the tubing. If you choose to shrink it, be careful as it may shrink so narrow that almost no light comes out.
  • Page 27 5.15 Final Assembly Plug in the wireless receiver module. Then re-attach the tube board. You can now place the glass colon covers over the neons. Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 27 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 28 HOW TO OPERATE THE CLOCK The four buttons have the following functions: SET: Exit tube test routine on cold power-up; Show date; Set time and date; Enter configuration menu; ADJ: Adjust: time, date, alarm time, configuration parameters; Enter XTERNA Stats Menu; ALARM: Set alarm time;...
  • Page 29 Parameter Description Values Software revision 20 = version 2.0, 12 = version 1.2 etc 12 / 24 Hr mode 0 – 12 Hr (default) 1 – 24 Hr Date format 0 = MM.DD.YY (default) 1 = DD.MM.YY 2 = YY.MM.DD Leading zero blanking 0 –...
  • Page 30 Snooze period 0 – 6 minutes (default) 1 – 9 minutes 2 – 12 minutes 3 – 15 minutes Reserved Time Calibration Factor 0 - 99 (each unit adjusts by 0.2s per day) Time Calibration Polarity 0 - Make clock slower 1 - Make clock faster Slots Mode 0 –...
  • Page 31 Setting the Time and Date: Before setting the time, press 'DST' briefly to toggle between DST and standard time modes. Set according to whether you are currently in DST time or not. The adjacent DST LED will light or extinguish accordingly. From time display mode, press and hold ‘SET’...
  • Page 32 Cancelling Alarm: Press ‘ALARM’ briefly to cancel alarm and enter snooze mode, or a longer press until the clock bleeps, to cancel snooze. Alarm remains set for subsequent days. Rapid DST Adjustment Press ‘DST’ briefly to toggle between DST and standard time. The indicator shows whether DST mode is active or not.
  • Page 33 XTERNA FUNCTIONS About the XTERNA Module XTERNA is our new concept for synchronising time and capturing outdoor temperature for display on our clock and thermometer kits. Driven by a PIC microcontroller with advanced low power modes, the XTERNA captures time from GPS satellites every 6 hours, and stores in an on-board Temperature Controlled Crystal Oscillator (TCXO).
  • Page 34 Time Synchronisation Function XTERNA broadcasts every 10 minutes. After configuring your clock, please be patient in waiting for the first Synchronisation. Upon synchronisation the yellow LED D7 will illuminate. Remember to set DST (‘Summer Time’) with the DST button. Temperature Display The temperature is also transmitted with the time.
  • Page 35 XTERNA Stats menu The Stats menu is accessible only if relevant XTERNA data has been received. From time display, press ADJ to enter the Stats Menu. Six items of data are displayed in sequence, stepped through by pressing the ADJ button sequentially, and finally exiting back to time display.
  • Page 36 CONFIGURING THE RGB LED TUBE LIGHTS The clock features a separate and dedicated setup menu for the RGB LED lights, accessed from the ‘DST’ button. All settings are stored to non-volatile memory, so your favourite colours will still be there after even after a long power off. You can set fixed colours and intensities, or program an auto colour cycling effect at your choice of speed.
  • Page 37  Colours are displayed live during RGB menu:  In the example above, between 11 and 12 hours, the LEDs will be purple (8 blue, 0 green, 8 red)  In the example below, between 19 and 20 hours, the LEDs will be blue with a hint of green (8 blue, 2 green and 0 red) Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’...
  • Page 38 Setting auto colour cycling Setting colour to value 9 has a special meaning: This will enable auto colour cycling for the specified hour. The speed of the cycling will then be governed by the GREEN value: 0 = very slow change 9 = very fast change This auto colour cycling mode is explained in the picture below: Red = 9, therefore Auto Colour Cycling is enabled for 12-13 hours...
  • Page 39 9. USING A GPS RECEIVER The clock can receive time from a GPS receiver that transmits information using NMEA-0183 protocol, using the $GPRMC sentence. Configuring for GPS Synchronisation.  Set parameter 12 to value 4.  Set the baud rate in parameter 13. ...
  • Page 40 10. PIR MOTION SENSOR The clock has a 3.5mm Jack Plug socket for connection of our PIR Motion Sensor Accessory, available separately as a quick – build kit. This useful accessory helps save tube life and power by powering down the clock when it senses the room is empty.
  • Page 41 11. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 41 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 42 Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 42 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...
  • Page 43 Nixie Tube Clock ‘Elite’ - 43 - Issue 3 (25 July 2018) www.pvelectronics.co.uk...