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Sphere U6DNC Series Manual

Sphere U6DNC Series Manual

Neonixie cpu-based universal 6-digit nixie clocks

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Sphere Research Corporation
U6DNC Nixie Clock Kits
Neonixie CPU-based universal 6-digit nixie clocks
STOP AND READ THIS BEFORE GOING
ANY FURTHER!
THIS IS NOT A KIT FOR BEGINNERS!
It is designed for advanced experimenters with experience and knowledge about the circuits employed, who are
capable of doing this level of assembly and testing. Once again, if you feel this does not describe you, please
stop and return the kit for a refund. We would prefer to refund your money than have you lying unconscious on
the floor, with your heart stopped, or some similar untimely end.
Software: These kits are based on the Neonixie pre-programmed Atmel CPU, which has copyrighted software.
In buying this kit, you agree not to reverse engineer or copy this code for any reason, but only to use it in this
specific clock kit. If you do not agree with this condition, please return the kit for a refund. Sphere is only a re-
seller of the code for this specific use, and no other.
Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation
Sphere Research Corporation
3394 Sunnyside Rd., Kelowna, B.C.
V1Z 2V4 CANADA
Contact information:
Phone: (250) 769-1834
FAX:
(250) 769-4106
E-Mail: walter2@sphere.bc.ca
URL:
http://www.sphere.bc.ca
Release Date: January 30, 2007
These kits require and generate high DC
voltages, over 170VDC, which is very
dangerous if not handled correctly. If you do
not have the experience to work with these
voltages, STOP NOW, and return the kit for a
refund.
You agree by continuing that you are qualified
to work with these dangerous voltages, and do
so entirely at your own risk. You are
responsible for any final use of the product
made from this kit, and accept all
responsibility for enclosing it in a safe
manner to prevent any shock hazard to
users, and for making any AC power
connections in a safe manner. We DO NOT
provide a housing for this product, that is up
to you.
Nixie Clock Kit Instructions
Page 1

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Summary of Contents for Sphere U6DNC Series

  • Page 1 In buying this kit, you agree not to reverse engineer or copy this code for any reason, but only to use it in this specific clock kit. If you do not agree with this condition, please return the kit for a refund. Sphere is only a re- seller of the code for this specific use, and no other.
  • Page 2 Keep in mind, only 1 single timebase (crystal, oscillator, or external source) may be used at any one time in a clock. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...
  • Page 3 If you are not sure, please email us for clarification, at walter2@sphere.bc.ca. Color codes are common on resistors, and you should become familiar with that type of marking. You can go to our website here for a color code decoding chart at the bottom of the page: http://www.sphere.bc.ca/test/data.html...
  • Page 4 U6DNC Series Neonixie Microcontroller Clock Kits U6DNC Combined clock/display board, U6NDC (lower) and accessory LED “back-lighting board” (upper). This board performs all functions, power supply, HV converter, clock, timebase, drivers and display. The back lighting board can be inserted UNDER the nixies, through the...
  • Page 5 Externally, a remote source of CMOS/TTL compatible 32.768KHz data can be sent to the J8 EXT clock pin. USE ONLY ONE TIMEBASE SOURCE. The default is crystal Y1, the temp stabilized oscillators are an upgrade to the kit. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 5...
  • Page 6 Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 6...
  • Page 7 Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 7...
  • Page 8 Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 8...
  • Page 9 1N5817 or better Schottky rectifier Plastic, axial leads, be sure this is the correct part before installation. ICTE5, 1N6373A, 5V Transorb Zener over-voltage protection for 5V supply rail. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 9...
  • Page 10 (5) or or brown black black, red, brown (1%) or 1002F 1%. R106 470 Ohms ¼ W Resistor 5% Axial leads. CC: yellow, violet, brown, gold Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 10...
  • Page 11 4-wire For remote switch assembly. 1 foot. Can be gray or colored. Solder 63-37 formula, for minimal cold solder joints. Water soluble rosin core solder, as requested. Relevant type is CIRCLED. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 11...
  • Page 12: Ribbon Cables

    To connect the boards, 20 conductor ribbon cables with a female 20 socket IDC connector on each end are required. Insure the +5VDC ends (red stripe or other marker) are always aligned between boards! Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...
  • Page 13 As long as the connectors are not plugged in offset, or reversed end-for end, they will work. It is also possible to solder the wires, if preferred. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 13...
  • Page 14 MUR160 or similar. Be careful not to mix these parts up with the other rectifiers, which may look almost identical. Check these parts carefully after insertion, a mistake here can be hard to find later, but can cause serious failure. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 14...
  • Page 15 9. Insert and solder the smaller polyswitch fuse at F100 (looks like a small yellow disk capacitor). You can lift one lead of the polyswitch and insert an ammeter to monitor the HV inverter current consumption if you have a problem in this area. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 15...
  • Page 16 Note R18 above, it is a 10 Ohm, 2W flameproof part, or other larger parts could be used if the supply voltage is higher than normal. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...
  • Page 17 If you intend to use the LED back lighting board under the tubes, you must remove the white insulator before soldering the tubes, and use a spacer to raise them all ¼” above the board. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 17...
  • Page 18 Adjust the jumper/lead height to get the exact vertical colon alignment you want before soldering. You may want sleeving around the lamps to reduce side reflections on the nixie tubes. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...
  • Page 19 Q100 and L101 get a bit warm during operation, and U9 less so. Case ventilation is useful to avoid thermal build up that may skew timebase operation, especially with the crystal. Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...
  • Page 20 Goes to JP1 on remote display. Test Probe Meter, +4.5VDC keep-alive test point J12 (+Vcc BACKUP) W1 (Remote Switches) 4-wire ribbon cable, soldered To remote setting switch board Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 20...
  • Page 21 Nixie Reference Data (bottom views): IN14: IN16: IN17: B5092, 8037, 8421 and Similar: Electrolytic Orientation : Tantalum Capacitor Orientation: Negative is DOWN (Stripe) Negative Positive Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions Page 21...
  • Page 22 It is used to drive the bus that feeds the 5V and HV supplies. We hope you had fun building and using this clock, and that you never needed to check this page! Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions...

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