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Copyright 2004, 2005, 2007 Sphere Research Corporation         Nixie Clock Kit Instructions                       Page 3

PARTS IDENTIFICATION:

 All parts have part numbers, values or color codes to identify them.  Many different

but equally correct parts can often be used in specific locations, and we may use different parts because of
availability issues.  The parts list generally covers the details of what parts, or range of parts can be used.  ICs in
particular have wildly varying part identifications, each maker has their own prefix, suffix and number format
wrapped around a common core number.  If you are not sure, please email us for clarification, at
[email protected].  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

SOLDERING:

  The correct way to solder is to clean the tip of your iron, and first insure it has a smooth coating of

solder to transfer heat.  Then, heat the part and board with the tip of your iron, and feed the 

solder to the parts

,

which will melt the solder when the lead and pad are hot enough.  A well-tinned, clean tip makes this very easy.
There are many good assembly techniques, but the best is usually to insert the part, spread the leads to pull the
part snug to the board, and clip the lead close to the board.  Then solder the junction, and no further work is
required.  

ALWAYS install any solder in Nixies as the LAST STEP in assembling the board

.  They are very

fragile, and easily broken with handling.  It can be hard to thread all the Nixie leads into the board.  Sometimes
trimming them evenly to just ½” makes this much easier.  Adjust the tube carefully to be sure it is straight in every
axis, and tack solder two leads.  Recheck again, and when all if correctly aligned, go ahead and solder each pin
carefully, being careful not to bridge two pads.  The pads are small at the nixie tubes and ICs, so be careful, and
be patient. If you are using the nixie tube pads to connect an external tube, use ribbon cable, and 

note that the

pads are identified by function (digits 0-9 and A for anode), rather than pin numbers.

MODIFICATIONS:

  You can use many other power supplies, or an external time base (by omitting U7 and U8,

and Y1, then inject a CMOS/TTL compatible logic clock at J8 External Clock, along with a ground return) with this
clock board.  Other Nixies can be used in two ways, either wired to the PCB pads normally used for the on-board
tubes, or via a remote display board.  

Observe that the Nixie Tube pads show the FUNCTION, not the pin

number for ease in doing this. You can also attach different display boards via the 20 pin headers, simply
pull the on-board nixie driver ICs to use this function.

Summary of Contents for U6DNC Series

Page 1: ...e 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 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 l...

Page 2: ...alue printed in a component location or other minor artwork flaw due to design revisions If a different part is to be used than is printed on the board art revision IT WILL BE CORRECTLY PRE INSTALLED by us before shipment Do not alter preinstalled parts on the circuit board VARIABLE VALUES Some parts do not have a specific value on the boards they are determined by other circuit issues like the ty...

Page 3: ...rt the part spread the leads to pull the part snug to the board and clip the lead close to the board Then solder the junction and no further work is required ALWAYS install any solder in Nixies as the LAST STEP in assembling the board They are very fragile and easily broken with handling It can be hard to thread all the Nixie leads into the board Sometimes trimming them evenly to just makes this m...

Page 4: ... The rubber insulator under each tube must be removed to use this option U6DNC ND 6XB5092 6XIN17 Split clock display board set U6NDC ND upper and remote plug in nixie display 6XB5092 lower This upper board performs clock functions power supply HV converter and timebase while the remote display contains the drivers and nixie displays The display board supports virtually all plug in 13 pin vertical ...

Page 5: ...es input power directly to the internal 12VDC bus WHAT DISPLAY This kit can interface to many tube types but the board patterns are tube specific The combined board drives IN 14 nixies but others with flying leads can be used IF the pins are matched to the board layout Remember that the layout is marked by FUNCTION not pin number for your convenience It is possible with minor lead changes to run I...

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: ...Can be dipped tantalum or alum electrolytic C16 C17 0 1uF 50V or better bypass Capacitor Radial leads Can be marked 1 or 104 dipped or molded case required only if U10 installed Optional C18 10uF 16V 22uF 35V Electrolytic Capacitor Radial Leads OBSERVE POLARITY Can be dipped tantalum or alum Electrolytic required only if U10 installed Optional C19 470uF 16VDC or higher Electrolytic Capacitor Radia...

Page 10: ...ue reduces waste heat LED1 T 1 Green LED Flat side is cathode short lead align to square PCB pad Install plastic spacer underneath N1 N2 N3 N4 N5 N6 IN 14 Nixie Tube Flying leads trim for easier insertion Remove bases if LED back lighting will be used R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 22K W Resistors 5 Axial Leads CC red red orange gold Elevate above board slightly R7 680K W Resistor 5 Axial Leads CC blue gray ye...

Page 11: ...68KHz TCXO DIP Optional stabilized TCXO DIP package U8 Maxim DS32KHZ 32 768KHz TCXO SMD Optional stabilized TCXO SMD package U9 LM340T5 7805CT or sim 5V Regulator Attach to board with mounting hardware U10 LM340T12 7812CT or sim 12V Regulator Used only if raw input power is higher than 12VDC Optional Jumper input to output pads if not used U100 NE555T LM555N etc timer Use 8 pin dip socket undernea...

Page 12: ...board slightly Early artwork may say 27K R6 R7 330K W Resistors 5 Axial Leads CC orange orange yellow gold Early boards show 150k Used on 6XIN17 board ONLY R6 R7 249K W Resistors 1 Axial Leads CC red yellow white yellow brown Early boards show 100k Used on 6X5092 board ONLY To activate remote displays you require BCD data from the main clock board grouped in decade pairs hours minutes seconds 170V...

Page 13: ...n and it prevents time loss during momentary primary power interruptions JUMPERS OPTIONS Jumpers at U10 D1 and D5 are installed and D2 D4 delted when the primary power is a nominal 12VDC these parts are required if primary power is AC or if it is over 12V average C18 is required ONLY if a low drop out 12VDC regulator is used at U9 BITE INDICATORS Because the board is dangerous when excited with HV...

Page 14: ... 2 Insert and solder all the resistors if you orient them all in the same direction checking for the correct value is much easier Install the larger polyswitch at F1 3 Insert and solder the diodes rectifiers Observe the correct polarity the parts have a banded end cathode that must match the banded marking on the circuit board Note that the input bridge D1 D2 D4 and D5 is NOT normally required unl...

Page 15: ...ote the polarity if a can type it will have the negative side marked with a stripe If a dipped tantalum it may have a line and sometimes a tiny plus sign at the terminal The board has a marked for the positive side of every capacitor it is VERY important that all be installed correct double check the polarity of every part C102 and C103 are especially critical see the pic below and note the negati...

Page 16: ...ack 11 Install U9 the 5V Voltage Regulator typically an LM340T5 or 7805T etc attach the flange to the board with a screw and nut and solder the 3 leads to the board Double check the large polarized capacitor orientations in the power supply against the picture below and note that C13 and C18 are optional and not normally required 12 Install and solder the DC power jack at location J2 unless you ha...

Page 17: ...11 if a remote display is to be used They can be top or bottom mounted 17 It is time to do some initial tests Install the timer IC at U100 Plug the wall wart into jack J2 and apply power The green LEDs should both light 5V DC power and HV converter Power and a voltmeter test at J7 to ground J5 should show 5VDC a test at J6 RAWDC the input power bus should show about 12VDC and a test at J1 should s...

Page 18: ...nted digit illumination 20 Assemble the 3 pushbutton switches to the remote switch setting board be sure they are all even and straight Attach the two right angle support brackets they are not symmetrical to the board so that the front holes line up with the switches Add the legend overlay and mount it with two screws This will eventually be mounted to your case Attach the 4 wire ribbon cable to t...

Page 19: ...ll be reversed don t worry It should then begin counting seconds The clock goes through the digit cycle only on initial power up not once the supercap is charged as it then displays the stored time To force the re cycle unplug power and discharge the supercap with a jumper lead and then re attach power For the combined cock you will need to reverse the display sequence that is OPTION 52 in the Neo...

Page 20: ... incorrectly returned to the chassis for it to work Ï Provided Ground Connections You can use stand offs conductive to heat sink U10 and U9 to your metal chassis if you wish but DO NOT ground U100 for any reason or serious damage will result Clock Board Connections Origin Method Destination J1 170VDC Test probe Meter 170VDC test point J2 Power In Power supply connector from wall wart To 12VDC inpu...

Page 21: ... Research Corporation Nixie Clock Kit Instructions 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 ...

Page 22: ...ust R104 for 170 180VDC under load You can see the clock timebase running at J8 32 768KHz The clock will not run unless the keep alive voltage is present check J12 A reversed diode at D6 or a reversed supercap at C11 can prevent this voltage from being present Check that all chips are in their sockets the right way around if you do not see correct operation Nixies If power is good but specific nix...

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