Pvelectronics Dink Configuration guide
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 1 -
Assembly Ins ruc ions
And
User Guide
Nixie Clock Type
‘Dink’
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 2 -
REVISION HISTORY
Issue
Number
Da e Reason for Issue
9 10 November 2017 Modification to 5V Power Circuit
8 17 November 2013 WWV no longer supported
7 19 June 2012 Different Inductor type added
6 30 May 2012 New oard revision 18 May 12
5 5 Feb 2012 Errors corrected
4 28 Jan 2012 Errors corrected, new C4 value
3 24 Jan 2012 Revised for new PC dated 1 Jan 12
2 08 July 2011 Errors in schematic corrected
1 29 May 2011 New document
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 3 -
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Abou he clock
Nixie clock type ‘Dink’ is a Nixie Clock Driver PC , specially designed for
driving remotely-placed tubes. Connections are provided for simple
wiring of tubes using a multiplex configuration. Connections may be
made at the board by either screw terminals (supplied), direct solder
connections or 0.1” pin headers/ sockets.
1.2 Clock Fea ures
Nixie clock type ‘Dink’ has the following features:
- Tubes connected remotely via screw terminals or pin headers
- Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
- 12 or 24 hour modes
- Date display in either DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY format
- Alarm, with programmable snooze period
- Programmable date display each minute
- Output for LED tube lighting
- Uses a Quartz Crystal Oscillator as the timebase
- Optional DCF / MSF / GPS synchronisation with status indicator LED
- Supercapacitor backup. Keeps time during short power outages
- Simple time setting using two buttons
- Programmable leading zero blanking
- Five programmable neon colon settings (Flashing AM/PM indication,
illuminated AM/PM indication, both flashing, both on, both off)
- Maintains time during setup mode, eg. When changing between
Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time
- 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
- Separate modes for colon neons during night mode
- Standard or fading change of digits
- ‘Slot Machine’ Cathode poisoning prevention routine
- All user preferences stored to non-volatile memory
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 4 -
1.3 SAFETY
DANGER: The clock pcb includes a switched-mode voltage booster
circuit. This generates nominally 170 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 vol ages genera ed by his circui can give a po en ially
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 ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 5 -
2. TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED
2.1 Tools required o assemble he PCB.
The following tools will be required to assemble the PC :
- Soldering iron with a small tip (1-2 mm)
- Wire cutters (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.
- Small flat screwdriver for adjusting the high voltage supply
2.2 Ma erials 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 O her i ems you will need.
The clock kit does not include a power adapter. This 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. This saves shipping a heavy adapter with
the kit, and also the extra costs of managing stocks of many varied
power adapters. If you are using a WWV , DCF or MSF receiver, it is
recommended to avoid switching regulators as they can cause a lot of
interference issues.
The type of power adapter can be obtained at very low cost. The
following type of adapter should be obtained and used with the kit:
Output 12V DC
Minimum power output capability of 250 mA.
Output plug: 2.1mm pin, centre positive.
A suitable adapter is shown below:
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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3. LIST OF COMPONENTS
3.1 Table of componen s
Circui Designa ion Par Descrip ion
Resistors
R1 390K, ¼ Watt
R2 4.3K, ¼ Watt
R3 10K, ¼ Watt
R4 390K, ¼ Watt
R5 – R7 560R, ¼ Watt
R8 - R10 10K, ¼ Watt
R11 560R, ¼ Watt
R12, R13 10K, ¼ Watt
R14 - R19 2K7, ¼ Watt
R20 – R25 390K, ¼ Watt
R26 – R33 10K, ¼ Watt
R34, R35 390K, ¼ Watt
Capacitors
C1, C2 100nF Ceramic
C3 1uF, 250V, Electrolytic
C4, C5 33pF Ceramic
C6 0.22F
C7 100nF Ceramic
C8 470uF 16V Electrolytic low ESR
C9 100nF Ceramic
Transistors
Q1 IRFD220 MOSFET
Q2, Q3 MPSA42 NPN
Q4 – Q9 MPSA92 PNP
Q10 – Q17 MPSA42 NPN
Diodes
D1, D3 1N5817 or 1N5819
D4 UF4004
D5 – D8 1N4148
D9 5mm Green LED
D10 5mm Yellow LED
Integrated Circuits
IC1 7805 5V voltage regulator
IC2 PIC16F1936 8-bit microcontroller
IC3 K155ID1 Nixie driver
Miscellaneous
L1 100uH inductor
SW1, SW2, SW3 Miniature push button
VR1 1K Potentiometer
IC Socket 28 Way IC socket for IC2
J1 2.1mm PC power socket
GPS / RFT 3.5mm Jack socket connector
LS1 Piezo sounder
FUSE 500mA resettable Fuse
Tube Connectors 2.5mm pitch screw terminals
X1 32.768KHz watch crystal
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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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.
Note that there is no D2 or D5.
The fuse is a resettable type, and looks similar to the picture
below, so don't confuse it with a capacitor.
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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3.2 Par s lis / Packing shee
Par Descrip ion Quan i y
Resistors
560R, ¼ Watt 4
2.7K, ¼ Watt 6
4.3K, ¼ Watt 1
10K, ¼ Watt 12
390K, ¼ Watt 10
Capacitors
470uF, 16V, Electrolytic, low ESR 1
1uF, 250V, Electrolytic 1
100nF, Ceramic 4
33pF, Ceramic 2
0.22F 1
Transistors
IRFD220 MOSFET 1
MPSA92 PNP 6
MPSA42 NPN 10
Diodes
1N5817 or 1N5819 2
UF4004 fast recovery diode 1
1N4148 4
5mm Green LED 1
5mm Yellow LED 1
Integrated Circuits
7805 5V voltage regulator 1
PIC16Fxxxx 8-bit microcontroller 1
K155ID1 Nixie driver 1
Miscellaneous
100uH inductor 1
Miniature push button 3
1K Potentiometer 1
28 way IC Socket for IC2 1
2.1mm PC power socket 1
3.5mm Jack socket connector 1
Piezo sounder 1
500mA resettable fuse 1
2-Way terminal connector 5
3-Way terminal connector 4
32.768KHz watch crystal 1
It is recommended that the kit is checked against the list above, to
ensure all parts are present before commencing assembly. Don’t be
alarmed if there are some extra components, as some component
bags are shared between different kit types.
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 9 -
4. ASSEMBLY OF THE PCB
4.1 Low Vol age Power Componen s:
D1 and D3 (1N581x)
D5 (1N4148)
IC1 (7805)
C1 and C2 (100nF)
J1 (DC Connec or), FUSE
Parts bags from serial 0691 onwards require a 1N4148 diode to be
inserted into the middle leg of the 7805 voltage regulator. First,
clip the middle lead so it is 4-5mm long, then solder the diode as
shown. It can be then used as per the remaining instructions. ut
please note, the photos in the rest of the instructions show the
7805 without this addition.
Start assembly of the PC by installing D1 and D3. Align the white
band on the components with the band marked on the PC . Then
mount C1 and C2.
Nixie Tube Clock ‘Dink’
Issue 9 (10 November 2017)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
- 10 -
4.2 Continue to mount IC1 with D5 attached. After placement, IC1 can
be placed and bent over to reduce the height of the assembled
PC . The fuse and J1 may now be placed in position.
The PC should now look like the picture below, but with the
addition of the diode D5 to the middle lead of IC1:
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