PV Electronics Spectrum 18 Nixie Clock Assembly Instructions And User Guide

The Nixie Clock Spectrum 18 is a high-quality, feature-rich clock that uses six IN-18 Nixie tubes to display hours, minutes, and seconds. It includes a built-in high voltage module to power the tubes, and a quartz crystal oscillator to provide an accurate timebase. The Spectrum 18 can be synchronised with DCF, MSF, or GPS signals, so you can be sure the time is always accurate. You can also set an alarm, choose to display the date, use the night mode to dim the display, and even program the RGB tube lighting to your liking.

PDF Download

Document

Assembly Instructions

And

User Guide

Nixie Clock Type

‘Spectrum 18’

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 1 -

Issue

Number

Date

15 Feb 2015

REVISION HISTORY

Reason for Issue

1 10 Feb 2015

Errors in Resistor values corrected

Resistor networks not polarized

New document

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 2 -

1. INT

RODUCTION

Here are the key features of the SPECTRUM 18:

•

Hours, Minutes and Seconds display on Six IN-18 Nixie Tubes

• 40mm (1.5”) Digit height

• Noiseless, Direct Drive giving optimum digit clarity

• Dedicated, plug-in High Voltage Module (Included)

•

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 DCF / MSF / GPS synchronisation with status indicator LED

• Dedicated DST button to switch between DST and standard time

• Supercapacitor backup. Keeps time during short power outages

• PIR Motion Sensor input and accessory available. Configurable timeout period

• Temperature display in Celsius or Fahrenheit. Configurable. (every minute/ every 10 minutes / every hour)

• Simple time setting using two buttons

• Programmable 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 HV/ 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

•

Configurable Auxiliary Alarm Output for activating additional peripherals on Alarm

•

Provision for adding switches for independently switching off RGB LEDs and / or tubes

•

Not AC frequency dependent – works in all countries

•

All user preferences stored to non-volatile memory

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 3 -

1.4 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. 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 ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 4 -

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.

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 1A

Output plug: 2.1mm pin, centre positive.

A suitable adapter is shown below:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 5 -

3. LIST OF COMPONENTS

3.1 Table of Components – Driver Board

Circuit Designation

Resistors

R2 – R7

R8 – R11

R12 – R14

R15

R16

R17 – R19

R20

RN1 – RN6

Capacitors

C1, C2

C7 – C9

Transistors

Q2 – Q4

Q15

Diodes

D1 – D3

RGB1 – RGB8

Integrated Circuits

IC1

IC2

IC3, IC4

IC5

Part Description

6.8 KΩ, ¼ Watt

10 KΩ, ¼ Watt

270 KΩ, ¼ Watt

270 Ω, ¼ Watt

6.8 KΩ, ¼ Watt

15 KΩ, ¼ Watt

270 Ω, ¼ Watt

6.8 KΩ, ¼ Watt

Quad Resistor Network, 220Ω

220uF Electrolytic 16-25V

10pF Ceramic

15pF Ceramic

100nF Ceramic

0.1F or 0.22F Supercapacitor

100nF

MPSA42

2N7000 MOSFET

MPSA42

1N5819

5mm Yellow LED

5mm Green LED

5mm Yellow LED

RGB 5mm LED, common anode

LM2576 5V voltage regulator

PIC16F1938 in socket

HV5622 in socket

DS18B20

Miscellaneous

L1 100uH inductor

AM1, PM1, AM2, PM2 6mm wire ended neon lamp

ALARM, SET, ADJ, DST Miniature push button

IC2 Socket

IC3, IC4 Socket

GPS / RFT and GPS2

PIR and PIR2

LS1

FUSE

VR1

HV Module

28 Way narrow IC socket for IC2

PLCC44 IC socket for IC3

2.1mm PCB power socket

Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket

Piezo sounder

500mA fuse

1KΩ Potentiometer

32.768KHz watch crystal

High Voltage Module in header

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 6 -

3.2 Parts list / Packing Sheet - Component Bag

Resistors

Part Description

270 Ω, ¼ Watt

6.8 KΩ, ¼ Watt

10 KΩ, ¼ Watt

15 KΩ, ¼ Watt

270 KΩ, ¼ Watt

220 Ω Resistor Network

Capacitors

10pF, Ceramic

15pF, Ceramic

100nF, Ceramic

220uF, 16-25V, Electrolytic

0.1F or 0.22F

Transistors

MPSA42

2N7000 MOSFET

Diodes

1N5819

5mm Green LED

5mm Yellow LED

5mm RGB LED

Integrated Circuits

LM2576 5V voltage regulator

PIC16F1938 8-bit microcontroller

HV5622

DS18B20

Miscellaneous

100uH inductor

6mm wire ended neon lamp

Miniature push button

28 way narrow IC Socket for IC2

PLCC44 IC Socket

2.1mm PCB power socket

Surface mount 3.5mm jack socket

Piezo sounder

1A fuse

1KΩ Potentiometer

2 way header with jumper

6 way female header 0.1”

32.768KHz watch crystal

Quantity

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 7 -

3.3 Parts list / Packing Sheet - Additional parts

• PCB

• 6 X 15mm M3 hex spacers with screws

• HV Module with male header and glue dot

• 2 X Glass neon covers

• 30cm Clear heat shrink insulation for neons

• 6 X Socket holders and 66 sockets

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 one of the pictures below. It can easily be confused for a capacitor. It is a self-resetting fuse.

3.4 Special Note:

Please note that several components can be possibly mounted on either side of the PCB, and white component print for the part is on both sides of the PCB. This is to offer maxiumum flexibility of the kit: For our clear cases, most components will be soldered on the top (tube) side of the PCB, so they are visible on the finished clock.

However, for the Viso case and for customers making their own case, it is possible to mount some of the taller components on the bottom of the PCB, so that the PCB can fit inside a case with the tubes protruding. Please follow carefully the instructions. Unless specified otherwise, please solder all components on the top of the

PCB.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 8 -

4. ASSEMBLY OF THE PCB

DUE TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVEMENTS,

YOUR PCB MAY NOT LOOK EXACTLY LIKE THE ONE

PICTURED.

4.1 Assembly of the tube sockets

Remove the protective film from both sides of the six laser-cut tube socket holders and identify the side that is engraved

‘SOCKETS THIS SIDE’.

For each socket holder, you need to push in 11 socket receptacles.

Push them in from the ‘SOCKETS THIS SIDE’ side. Push them with the 2 open jaws going in first. Look at the photo below.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 9 -

Push all the sockets firmly into place until they stop. You will end up with 6 socket assemblies. Put them to one side. Do not solder them to the PCB yet.

4.2 Resistor Networks RN1 – RN6

Solder the 6 resistor networks on the bottom side of the PCB as shown below. These parts are not polarized, so the orientation does not matter.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 10 -

4.3 Nixie Tube Sockets.

Now you can solder the 6 Nixie sockets that you assembled in step

4.1. Push each socket assembly into the PCB so that the flat is aligned as shown below. There is only one way the socket can be inserted, so it should be impossible to orient incorrectly.

After soldering all 66 contacts, clip off the lower, very thin part of the connector.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 11 -

4.4 Low Voltage Generator components.

Fuse

D1, D2, D3 (1N5819)

C1, C2 (220uF)

J1, L1

IC1 (LM2576)

Bend the legs of IC1 to a 90 degree angle so that the component lies along the PCB. Solder it so it does not quite touch the PCB. But is approx 2-3 mm from it. (1/8”)

C1 and C2 are polarized. The light stripe on the body of the component indicates the negative side. This must match the cross hatched side on the PCB Marking.

Please note that J1 and L1 must be soldered on the bottom of the PCB is all cases.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 12 -

4.5 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 4.8 and 5.2

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.

4.6 High Voltage Generator Components.

6 Way female header

28 Way IC socket for IC2

R1 (6.8 KΩ)

VR1 (1 KΩ Potentiometer)

HV Module

Start by soldering the 6 way male header to the HV Module.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 13 -

then solder the parts to the main PCB: 6 way female header on bottom of PCB, and VR1 and R1 on the top of the PCB. Also solder the socket for IC2, noting the orientation of the small notch at one end:

Here you can see how the 6 way female header is soldered on the bottom of the PCB:

And now you can push the HV Module into place:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 14 -

Later, at the end of the assembly, when the clock is ready to be put into its case you can use the small adhesive dot on the top of the HV Module’s 4.7uF 250V capacitor to stick it to the bottom of the PCB to keep it from moving. Do this later.

4.7 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. Adjust the brass screw on VR1 until the HV is close to

170V.

Disconnect power, and remember that the HV module can still hold charge at 170V. carefully remove the HV module and place it safely away until later.

4.8 Tube Drive Components

R2 – R7 (10 KΩ)

C5, C8, C9 (100nF)

Sockets for IC3 and IC4

Be very careful when inserting the two IC sockets. Make sure the flattened corner of the IC socket is oriented with the matching flattened corener marking on the PCB.

4.9 C3 (10pF)

C4 (15pF)

X1 (32.768KHz Crystal)

4.10 First Tube test

Now it is time to make a first test of the tube drive circuit. Start by replacing the HV module, and also if you removed IC2, place this back in its socket. Also now insert IC3 and IC4 into the sockets, taking great care the flat at one corner of the IC matches the flat on the IC socket.

This is a good time to attach the six M3 X 15mm hex spacers, so the PCB will sit neatly during the tube test.

With great care, and looking carefully at tube alignment (tube faces forwards), insert six IN-18 Nixie Tubes into the sockets.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 15 -

Power up the PCB, and watch the tubes. They should count 0 through to 9 and back to 0 again, and repeat this sequence. If any digits or tubes do not light, go back and check your work. If any tube does not light, swap it with a known working tube to check if it is the tube or the location that is faulty.

Once all is well, power off, carefully remove the tubes, and with care remove the HV module.

4.11 R8 – R11 (4 X 270 KΩ)

R12 – R14, R17 – R19 (6 X 270 Ω)

R15, R20 (2 X 6.8 KΩ)

R16 (15 KΩ)

4.12 Q1, Q15 (MPSA42)

Q2 – Q4 (3 X 2N7000)

4.13 C6 (0.22F)

C7 (100nF)

2 Way pin-header and jumper

Take care that C6 is mounted with its arrows matching the arrows on the PCB.

Note: C6 and the 2 Way jumper need to be soldered on the bottom side of the PCB if you are mounting the clock in the

Visio case.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 16 -

4.14 D4, D6 (5mm Yellow LED)

D5 (5mm Green LED)

SET, ADJ, ALARM, DST (buttons)

GPS / RFT (3.5mm Jack socket)

PIR (3.5mm Jack socket)

If your own case design favours it, you can mount these components on the bottom of the PCB. For our Visio and Prisma cases, mount them all on the top (tube) side of the PCB.

The LEDs are best mounted pointing vertically upwards for the

Prisma case as shown below:

To solder the GPS / RFT and PIR connectors: First wet one pad on the PCB with solder. Then place the connector in position and retouch the pad with the soldering iron. This will anchor the component and then you can solder the remaining pads.

4.16 LS1 (Piezo Buzzer)

The Piezo Buzzer is soldered on the bottom of the PCB.

4.17 RGB LEDs

There are 6 RGB LEDs, one under each Nixie Tube. Note that there are a further 2 locations for RGB LEDs under the neon colon separators. These are not supplied and not installed, because the

RGB lighting from the tube LEDs provides sufficient illumination of the colon neons.

Start by bending the leads of each RGB LED as shown below, noting the orientation of the longest lead.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 17 -

If you follow the bending instructions above, then the longest lead should go into the hole marked with 2 small circles at each RGB

LED location. Solder each LED and clip the leads short.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 18 -

4.18 IC5 (DS18B20 temperature sensor)

The Temperature sensor looks like a transistor, however it is an IC.

It needs to be soldered on the bottom of the PCB, as far from the

PCB as possible. Just push the leads a very short distance into the holes on the PCB, and solder. It will protrude through a hole in the bottom of the Visio or Prisma cases.

4.19 AM1, AM2, PM1, PM2 (4 X 6mm Neon lamps)

Each neon is separately addressable, and many flashing and indicatation modes are implemented – see the configuration setup later in the manual.

The AM1 and PM1 neons are taller, and mounted on the rear 2 locations. The leads of the two rear neons need to be extended.

Use pieces of wire cut from leads of resistors to extend the wires so they are at least 500 (2”) long:

Next, cut the clear heat shrink tubing into 8 lengths: 4 lengths of

20mm and 4 lengths of 45mm:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 19 -

Slip the insulation over the neon lamp leads and with a hot air gun, shrink the tubing:

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.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 20 -

4.20 Wire Link

This is only applicable if your PCB is dated 6 th

January 2015.

Solder a wire link as shown below, between the middle pin of Q4 and pin 10 on IC2.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 21 -

5. 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: Call DCF / MSF;

Adjust: time, date, alarm time, configuration parameters;

ALARM: Set alarm time; snooze; cancel snooze/alarm;

DST: Toggle between DST and Standard Time (+/- 1 Hour)

Enter colour setup menu; scroll through colour / time options

Entering configuration mode:

The principal settings of the clock are stored in flash memory – your preferred configuration is stored even after powering off the clock for extended periods. To access the configuration mode press and hold the

‘SET’ button. After 2 seconds the seconds will become highlighted.

Continue holding the button a further 2 seconds until the clock displays in this format:

00-XX-99

The ‘99’ in the seconds digits tells you that you are in the configuration menu.

In configuration mode the hours digits diplay the current parameter being adjusted, and the minutes digits display the current value stored against the parameter.

For each parameter, and referring to the table below, scroll through the range of possible values by pressing the ‘ADJ’ button. When the desired value has been reached, move on to the next parameter by pressing the

‘SET’ button. When the last parameter has been set, pressing ‘SET’ one more time will revert the clock back to time display mode. The first parameter (0) cannot be changed as it is the software revision number.

It will show for several seconds and then move to parameter 1.

In all correspondence on support issues, please quote the board type, revision date and software version.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 22 -

Parameter

Description

Software revision

12 / 24 Hr mode

Date format

Leading zero blanking eg. 01:54:32

Night Mode start hour

Night Mode end hour

Values

10 = version 1.0, 11 = version 1.1 etc

0 – 12 Hr (default)

1 – 24 Hr

0 = MM.DD.YY (default)

1 = DD.MM.YY

2 = YY.MM.DD

0 – leading zero blanked (default)

1 – leading zero displayed

0 - 23

Night Mode 0 – Tubes off

1 – Dimmed display (default)

Master Blank start hour

0 - 23

8 Master Blank end hour

0 - 23

Master Blank days

Colon neons mode

0 – Off (default)

1 – Weekdays

2 - Weekends

3 – All days

0 – Both off

1 – AM/PM Indication, left / right

2 – AM/PM Indication, left / right flashing

3 – AM/PM Indication, top / bottom

4 – AM/PM Indication, top / bottom flashing

5 – All slow flashing

6 – Slow flashing left / right

7 – All flashing

8 – Both illuminated

9 – Railroad fast

10 – Railroad slow

Colon neons during night dimmed mode

As per parameter 10

Radio time signal source 0 – No Radio Time source (default)

1 – DCF

GPS Baud rate

2 – not used

3 – MSF

4 - GPS

0 – 4.8 Kbps

1 – 9.6 Kbps (default)

2 – 19.2 Kbps

3 – 38.4 Kbps

Radio time offset hours 0-13 (default 0)

Radio time offset mins 0-45 (default 0)

Radio time offset polarity

0 - Minus time (default)

1 – Plus time

PIR Motion Sensor

Period

0 – No PIR installed (default)

1 – 15 seconds

2 – 30 seconds

3 – 1 minute

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

4 – 2 minutes

5 – 5 minutes

6 – 10 minutes

- 23 -

Snooze period

Alarm Aux output

7 – 15 minutes

8 – 20 minutes

9 – 30 minutes

0 – 6 minutes (default)

1 – 9 minutes

2 – 12 minutes

3 – 15 minutes

0 – No Aux Output (default)

1 – 1 second

2 – 2 seconds

3 – 5 seconds

4 – 10 seconds

5 – 20 seconds

6 – 30 seconds

7 – 40 seconds

8 – 50 seconds

9 – 60 seconds

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 – Slots disabled

1 – Slots every minute

2 - Slots every 10 minutes (default)

3 - Slots every hour

4 – Slots at midnight

RFT Sync Mode

0 – DCF / MSF Sync once per day only as per parameter 24 (default)

1 – DCF / MSF Sync every hour

RFT Daily Sync Hour

RFT Seek Blanking

0 – 23 (default 2)

0 – Keep tubes lit for DCF / MSF seek

Display Mode

1 – Blank tubes for DCF / MSF seek

(default)

0 – standard change of digits

1 – fading digits

2 – fading digits with scrollback effect

(default)

Auto date display each minute

Night Mode Override minutes

Thermometer Settings

0 – Off

1 - Static display of date

2– Scrolling display of date (default)

0 – 50 (default 0 gives 15 seconds override)

0 – Don’t display temperature (default)

1 – Celsius display, every minute

2 – Celsius display, every 10 minutes

3 – Celsius display, every hour

4 – Fahrenheit display, every minute(default)

5 – Fahrenheit display, every 10 minutes

Thermometer offset

6 – Fahrenheit display, every hour

0 – 10 degrees

Restore default settings 0 – Keep user settings

1 – Restore original default settings

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 24 -

Notes:

1. Master Blanking Mode has priority over Night Mode. Use to disable the clock on weekends (eg clock is in office), or during office hours (eg clock is at home). Complete

HV shutdown to save power and tube life.

2. Night time neons mode is active when night mode is set to dim. During night time blanking the tubes AND neons are disabled.

3. Clock is fully functional without DCF / MSF / GPS synchronisation. Set time manually.

4. Enter your time zone offset from the synchronisation source. Note that GPS transmits

UTC.

5. Visual effect / cathode poisoning prevention – all digits on all tubes are cycled for 10 seconds. This setting overrides night blanking or dimming for the duration of the effect

(10 seconds).

6. DCF / MSF synchronisation takes place on the hour. If no valid frame is received in 6 minutes, the clock reverts to normal operation.

7. Date will be displayed each minute between 50 and 55 seconds past the minute.

8. Press ‘SET’ briefly during Night Mode to show time for prescribed period.

9. Applies a fixed negative offset to the temperature display, to compensate for selfheating of the sensor.

10. Set this parameter to ‘1’ to restore factory configuration settings. Internal operations will then load all the original settings and restore the value to ‘0’ You can also restore factory configuration settings by pressing and holding ‘SET’ as you power up from a cold start. A cold start is a startup with a fully discharged Supercapacitor, or with the Supercapacitor jumper removed.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 25 -

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’ button for 2 seconds until the seconds digits are highlighted.

Press the ‘ADJ’ button to reset seconds to zero.

Briefly Press ‘SET’ again and the hours will be highlighted

Press the ‘ADJ’ button to set the minutes.

Briefly Press ‘SET’ again and the hours will be highlighted.

Press the ‘ADJ’ button to set the hours.

Proceed in this fashion to set the calendar: Year, Month and Day.

Finally, briefly Press ‘SET’ again to revert to normal clock operation.

Showing Date:

From time display mode, briefly press ‘SET’ button. Date will be shown for 5 seconds, then revert to time display.

Auto Date Display:

Setting parameter (27) to 1 or 2 will enable auto display of date between

50 and 55 seconds past each minute.

Night Blanking Override:

During programmed night blanking, the blanking may be overridden to see the time by briefly pressing the ‘SET’ button. Tubes will remain lit for the period defined in parameter (28).

Manual RFT Call:

In DCF / MSF modes, pressing ‘ADJ’ briefly during time display will initiate a manual time seek for maximum 6 minutes, or until a valid time frame is received.

Setting Alarm:

Press the ‘ALARM’ Button. The seconds digits show the on / off status of the alarm: 00 (off) or 01 (on).

Set on / off status, then minutes followed by hours by using the ‘ALARM’ and ‘ADJ’ buttons. When set, the alarm LED will also light.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 26 -

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 the next day.

Rapid DST Adjustment

Press ‘DST’ briefly to toggle between DST and standard time. The indicator shows whether DST mode is active or not. If time has been synchronised from DCF or MSF sources, this light will be set or cleared automatically. It can still be manually overridden, however the system will re-set the DST status again at the next valid time sync.

Note, that GPS time data does not contain DST information, so the DST status will need to be set manually in GPS sync mode as well as manual time-set mode.

Calibration of Timekeeping Accuracy

Over time you may observe the clock runs faster or slower than an accurate time standard. You can finely adjust the timekeeping by setting configuration parameters 20 and 21. We recommend to precisely set the clock against a known accurate clock, and then record the time drift in seconds after 5 full days (120 hours). Program this value into parameter

20.

Set parameter 21 to 0 to slow down the clock and to 1 to speed up the clock.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 27 -

6. 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 a long power off.

You can set fixed colours and intensities, or program an auto colour cycling effect at your choice of speed.

6.1 Entering RGB LED menu

Press and hold the ‘DST’ button until the display shows: 00: 0:00.

NX3 will not be lit.

• For each hour (0-23), you can set a custom colour

• Each custom colour can have your choice of

BLUE, GREEN and RED values from 0 (colour off) to 8 (maximum brightness)

• Mix the colours using the

ALARM , ADJ , SET buttons.

• Use low values (1,2 and 3) for low brightness, eg. For night time

• Set the value to ‘0’ for that colour to be off

• Once you are happy with the colour for that hour, press ‘DST’ to move to the next hour

• Have fun playing with your favourite colours and intensities!

• Colours are displayed live during RGB menu:

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 28 -

• In the example above, between 11 and 12 hours, the LEDs will be purple (8 red, 0 green and 8 blue)

• In the example below, between 19 and 20 hours, the LEDs will be blue with a hint of green ( 0 red, 2 green and 8 blue)

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 29 -

6.2 Setting auto colour cycling

Setting colour RED 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

Green = 3, so speed is 3.

Blue value has no effect.

Note: The colours do not cycle live during Auto Colour Cycling setup. The cycling starts only during normal time and date display.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 30 -

7. USING A RADIO FREQUENCY TIME RECEIVER OR GPS

RECEIVER

The clock can automatically synchronise time from DCF (Europe), and MSF (UK) long wave time transmitters.

The clock can also receive time from a GPS receiver that transmits information using NMEA-0183 protocol, using the $GPRMC sentence.

7.1 Configuring for RFT or GPS Synchronisation.

• Set parameter 12:

1: DCF

2: unused

3: MSF

4: GPS

• If using GPS, set the baud rate in parameter (13)

• Set parameters 14 and 15 for the hours and minutes your time zone is offset from the synchronisation source. This is usually only whole hours. Examples: o UK is 1 hour offset from the time transmitted by the DCF transmitter o France has no offset from the time transmitted by the DCF transmitter

• Set parameter (16) to identify whether the offset is minus (0) or positive (1) of the time source.

• Set parameter (23) to select between hourly seek and daily seek in DCF / MSF modes.

• If you have selected daily seek, use parameter (24) to set the time of the daily seek in DCF / MSF modes.

• If you intend to place the RFT receiver module closer to the clock PCB than 6 ft / 2 metres, the clock will need to disable HV and switch off the tubes for time seek, otherwise the switchmode power supply will prevent reception. Select blanking during time seek by setting parameter (25) to 1.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 31 -

7.2 Connecting a Radio Time receiver

The clock has been designed for, and tested with our Radio

Frequency Time (RFT) Receiver Modules. (available separately from

PV Electronics).

DCF Module: For receiving time signals from transmitter at

Frankfurt, Germany. Reception is possible within a 2000Km radius of Frankfurt.

MSF Module: For receiving time signals from the transmitter at

Anthorn, UK. Reception is possible within the UK, Eire, Northern

France, and Norway.

Please note:

1. The long wave signals propagate further at night, so the clock is configured by default to synchronize at 2am.

2. Suitable Power Supplies: If using a switching power supply, it must have an earth connection. Cheap Chinese switching adapters cause too much interference and will not work. Alternatively use an old-fashioned transformer type AC to DC adapter.

3. The time signals are intended that a receiving clock may collect time data intermittently. The signal strength and fidelity is not like a 'TV Signal', where one can get a perfect signal any time at will.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 32 -

7.3 Setting Up for First Reception.

1. Ensure the correct setting has been applied to Config 12:

1 = DCF

3 = MSF

2. For the first tests, ensure Config 25 is set to value 1, to make the HV converter switch off for synchronisation. This stops any noise created by the HV converter.

3. Set Config 14 - 17 for your location's time zone offset from the transmitter.

4. Connect the receiver, and place horizontally by a window, broadside on to the transmitter as far as is possible.

5. Wait until after dark, and preferable the early hours.

6. Command a manual seek, by pressing the middle 'Adj' button.

The tubes should switch off. The LED on the receiver module will now not be affected by the HV converter, and after 15-30 seconds start to flash regularly, showing the one pulse per second data from the transmitter.

If your Module's red LED does not start to flash regularly, go back and check 1-6. of this section. If the red LED does not flash regularly, you will not get synchronisation!

7. At the start of the minute, the clock should start collecting data, and if so it will start flashing the green LED rapidly. Look for any

LED activity at the start of the minute, using a known time source as the reference.

8. After 60 seconds of gathering data, the clock will illuminate the green LED, set the time and switch the tubes back on.

9. Once the system has been seen to work correctly, you can experiment with the antenna in different locations, and it may be possible to have the tubes stay on for time synchonisation.

10. Many other electrical applicances such as TVs and mobile phones reception when in close proximity. Metal objects cause reception problems too Place and design your case so the antenna is as far away from the PCB as possible.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 33 -

7.4 Connecting a GPS receiver

The clock has been designed for, and tested with our Micro GPS

Receiver (available separately from PV Electronics)

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 34 -

7.5 Function of the GPS / RFT indicator LED (D5):

• No Radio Synchronisation source installed (parameter (12) = 0)

LED is permanently off

• RFT or GPS Synchronisation enabled (parameter (12) = 1-4)

The LED will be ON if the clock has synchronised in the last two hours; slowly flashing if the last synchronisation was between 2 hours and 24 hours ago; and off if the last synchronisation is older than 24 hours.

• If DCF or MSF mode is selected, the indicator will flash rapidly whilst the clock is actually receiving and processing a valid time frame.

• Additionally, the indicator will flash very briefly each second whilst seeking a RFT frame.

The function of the RFT indicator LED may be summarised in the table below:

Radio Time

Source

None

DCF / MSF

GPS

Sync <

2 Hrs

Off

Sync >2 Hrs

Sync < 24

Hrs

Off

Slow Flash

Sync > 24

Hrs

Off

Seeking

RFT Frame

Intermittent

Flash

Aquiring

RFT

Frame

Fast Flash

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 35 -

7 – 15 minutes

8 – 20 minutes

8. 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. The sensing range is typically up to

12 ft (3.5 metres)

When installed and configured (configuration parameter 17), the sensor will sense motion in the room, and switch off the High Voltage generator, tubes and RGB LEDs when the PIR time period has expired.

Configuration Parameter 17:

0 – No PIR installed (default)

1 – 15 seconds

2 – 30 seconds

3 – 1 minute

4 – 2 minutes

5 – 5 minutes

6 – 10 minutes

7 – 15 minutes

8 – 20 minutes

9 – 30 minutes

It is important to remember that the function is to switch off the clock, not to switch it on. Therefore, it does not override Night Blanking and

Master Blanking.

The suggested initial PIR period is 10 minutes (Config 17 = 6).

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 36 -

9. ALARM AUX OUTPUT

The clock can be configured to provide an output at the O/C pad at the rear of the PCB when the alarm is triggered.

The output can be configured to go high for between 1 and 60 seconds by setting the value of configuration parameter 19 as follows:

0 – No Aux Output (default)

1 – 1 second

2 – 2 seconds

3 – 5 seconds

4 – 10 seconds

5 – 20 seconds

6 – 30 seconds

7 – 40 seconds

8 – 50 seconds

9 – 60 seconds

The ALARM AUX pads at the rear of the PCB are provided as follows:

12V: Main connection to clock’s fused 12V line

5V: Main connection to clock’s 5V line

O/C: Connection to an open collector output (transistor is MPSA42)

GND: Main connection to clock GND.

This is an advanced feature. If you require further information, please send us an email.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 37 -

10. TUBE AND RGB LED OVERRIDE

Pads are provided at the rear of the PCB to allow a user to connect a remote switch for switching off the RGB LEDs or the Tubes.

Shorting the two ‘RGB’ pads will switch off the RGB LEDs.

Shorting the two ‘TUBES’ pads will switch off the High Voltage, and therefore the tubes will extinguish.

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 38 -

11. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 39 -

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 40 -

Nixie Tube Clock ‘Spectrum 18’

Issue 2 (15 February 2015) www.pvelectronics.co.uk

- 41 -

Hello! I am an AI chatbot specifically trained to assist you with the PV Electronics Spectrum 18 Nixie Clock Assembly Instructions And User Guide. I have thoroughly reviewed the document and can help you locate the exact information you need or explain the content in clear and simple terms. Whether you’re looking for guidance on specific features, troubleshooting steps, or general usage, feel free to ask your questions. The more details you provide about your concerns or needs, the more accurately and effectively I can assist you!

Show related prompts

Assistant typing

Assistant terminated

Key Features

Six IN-18 Nixie tubes
40mm digit height
Direct Drive
High Voltage Module
Quartz Crystal Oscillator
12/24hr modes
Date display
Alarm with snooze
DCF/MSF/GPS synchronisation
Supercapacitor backup

Frequently asked questions

How do I set the time and date?

To set the time and date, press and hold the 'SET' button for 2 seconds until the seconds digits are highlighted. Use the 'ADJ' button to reset the seconds to zero. Then, briefly press 'SET' again and the hours will be highlighted. Press the 'ADJ' button to set the minutes. Briefly press 'SET' again and the hours will be highlighted. Press the 'ADJ' button to set the hours. Proceed in this fashion to set the year, month, and day. Finally, briefly press 'SET' again to revert to normal clock operation.

What are the different date formats I can choose from?

You can choose from three different date formats: MM.DD.YY, DD.MM.YY, or YY.MM.DD. To change the date format, enter the configuration menu by pressing and holding the 'SET' button for 2 seconds. Then, use the 'ADJ' button to scroll through the different date formats. When you find the format you like, press 'SET' to save it.

How do I set up the RGB tube lighting?

You can set the RGB tube lighting to any color you like, or you can program an auto cycling effect. To enter the RGB LED setup menu, press and hold the 'DST' button until the display shows 00:0:00. Then, use the 'ALARM', 'ADJ', and 'SET' buttons to change the color and brightness of the LEDs for each hour. Finally, press 'DST' to save the changes.