Nixie Tube Clock ‘Nixie QTC’
Issue 11a (11 December 2014)
www.pvelectronics.co.uk
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 What is Nixie QTC?
Nixie QTC takes a new path for Nixie Clocks for mid-sized solder-in tubes.
Learning from our past experiences of thousands of kits sold, we
recognise a major customer concern and possibly the biggest drawback
with solder-in tubes: They are soldered in!
Previously, a failed tube always meant a treacherous operation to
delicately remove the tube whilst trying to preserve all traces intact.
Whilst this was certainly possible, It was never easy, and made it
uncomfortable to give a Nixe Clock as a gift in case a tube ever failed.
With Nixie QTC (‘Quick Tube Change’), each tube is soldered only to its
own mini ‘tube cell’ PCB. A tube can be changed in minutes with no
danger to the main PCB. The small addition in cost is dwarfed by the
huge advantage this gives. A single main board is capable of driving tens
of different types of solder-in Nixie Tube. You can even completely
change the tube type of your clock by installing new tube cells and tubes.
Software
But at such a major change in direction, we have also taken the
opportunity to build on the solid software foundations of the predecessor
‘Frank 2’ format and add some truly useful and productive software
features. As before, the main controller is the mighty PIC16F1936
running at 16Mhz. The code is programmed entirely in the ‘C’
programming language.
Drive Mode
The former K155ID1 / 74141 nixie driver IC is now replaced by a modern
HV5812 High Voltage Driver IC by Supertex. With 20 outputs, it is able to
drive the six Nixie Tubes in a very comfortable and low noise 3X2
multiplex.
GPS Time Synchronisation
A radical new clock design deserves a new and exciting GPS receiver
module for those that demand the best timekeeping. And, with a
groundbreaking price for a GPS receiver, a fully featured Nixie Clock with
GPS synchronsation is now within the price range of most buyers.
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