Nixie Tube Clock Build Log And Plans

[red_dr4gon1]

About two months ago my friend and I started planing to build out own nixie tube clocks from scratch and now they are almost done!

 

I will start with the basics of how it works. First an Arduino checks the time from the RTC (real time clock). Then updates the two minute values and two hour values and changes them respectively. Next, we used the shift-out function two times: one for the hour and one for the minute. We are using two data arrays for the shift registers (two for the hours and two for the minutes). Next we have the shift registers output to strings of around 29 relays, with one relay for each pin of the four tubes.

 

I will be posting the steps, the part list,better pictures, more pictures, and the code in about two weeks. Feel free to ask any questions.

 

 

[C0LL0SS0S]

Looks very nice !

[red_dr4gon1]

Thanks the pictures were from my flip phone

[Delusional Phil]

El Psy Congroo !!!!! 

[Bsmith]

cool, gonna sub out of curiousity.

 

u might want to ask a mod to move this to the buildlog section, because well... it's a build log afteral, workbench buildlog section isn't PC only i think

[SonoDanshi]

Nice. Looking forward to the rest of the pictures and details - subbed.

 

 

El Psy Congroo !!!!! 

Bro-fist

[Delusional Phil]

Nice. Looking forward to the rest of the pictures and details - subbed.

 

Bro-fist

We can share Dr.Pepper if you want ... 

[red_dr4gon1]

cool, gonna sub out of curiosity.

 

u might want to ask a mod to move this to the buildlog section, because well... it's a build log after all, workbench buildlog section isn't PC only i think

I will do that

[red_dr4gon1]

 

El Psy Congroo !!!!! 

 

LOL

[red_dr4gon1]

*Ends call*

[red_dr4gon1]

I will be posting the scans of the plans in the next two days.

[red_dr4gon1]

Here are some chicken scratch plans for the clocks I will be posting the code in about one week when the clocks are done if you want to ask me about any of the details of the plans or the clocks fell free.

nixie plans.pdf

[Bsmith]

seems interesting, cant wait to see more

[red_dr4gon1]

thanks!

[red_dr4gon1]

nixie.txtHere is the code for the clock so far(it still needs further testing and refinement) if you improve it in any way please post it here

[red_dr4gon1]

#include "Wire.h"

#define DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS 0x68

byte decToBcd(byte val)
{
return( (val/10*16) + (val%10) );
}

byte bcdToDec(byte val)
{
return( (val/16*10) + (val%16) );
}
int latchPinMin = 8; // min set
int latchPinHr = 9; // hr set
int clockPin = 12;
int dataPin = 11;
int hour12 = 0; // 12 hr


byte dataONE;
byte dataTWO;
byte dataArrayONE[60];
byte dataArrayTWO[60];

void setup() {
Wire.begin();
pinMode(latchPinMin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(latchPinHr, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);



dataArrayONE[0] = 130;
dataArrayONE[1] = 128;
dataArrayONE[2] = 128;
dataArrayONE[3] = 128;
dataArrayONE[4] = 128;
dataArrayONE[5] = 128;
dataArrayONE[6] = 128;
dataArrayONE[7] = 128;
dataArrayONE[8] = 128;
dataArrayONE[9] = 129;
dataArrayONE[10] = 3;
dataArrayONE[11] = 4;
dataArrayONE[12] = 4;
dataArrayONE[13] = 4;
dataArrayONE[14] = 4;
dataArrayONE[15] = 4;
dataArrayONE[16] = 4;
dataArrayONE[17] = 4;
dataArrayONE[18] = 4;
dataArrayONE[19] = 5;
dataArrayONE[20] = 10;
dataArrayONE[21] = 8;
dataArrayONE[22] = 8;
dataArrayONE[23] = 8;
dataArrayONE[24] = 8;
dataArrayONE[25] = 8;
dataArrayONE[26] = 8;
dataArrayONE[27] = 8;
dataArrayONE[28] = 8;
dataArrayONE[29] = 9;
dataArrayONE[30] = 18;
dataArrayONE[31] = 16;
dataArrayONE[32] = 16;
dataArrayONE[33] = 16;
dataArrayONE[34] = 16;
dataArrayONE[35] = 16;
dataArrayONE[36] = 16;
dataArrayONE[37] = 16;
dataArrayONE[38] = 16;
dataArrayONE[39] = 17;
dataArrayONE[40] = 34;
dataArrayONE[41] = 32;
dataArrayONE[42] = 32;
dataArrayONE[43] = 32;
dataArrayONE[44] = 32;
dataArrayONE[45] = 32;
dataArrayONE[46] = 32;
dataArrayONE[47] = 32;
dataArrayONE[48] = 32;
dataArrayONE[49] = 33;
dataArrayONE[50] = 66;
dataArrayONE[51] = 64;
dataArrayONE[52] = 64;
dataArrayONE[53] = 64;
dataArrayONE[54] = 64;
dataArrayONE[55] = 64;
dataArrayONE[56] = 64;
dataArrayONE[57] = 64;
dataArrayONE[58] = 64;
dataArrayONE[59] = 65;



//to shift register 2 (1st in series) LM
dataArrayTWO[0] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[1] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[2] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[3] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[4] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[5] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[6] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[7] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[8] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[9] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[10] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[11] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[12] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[13] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[14] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[15] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[16] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[17] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[18] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[19] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[20] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[21] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[22] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[23] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[24] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[25] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[26] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[27] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[28] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[29] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[30] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[31] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[32] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[33] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[34] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[35] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[36] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[37] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[38] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[39] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[40] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[41] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[42] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[43] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[44] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[45] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[46] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[47] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[48] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[49] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[50] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[51] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[52] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[53] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[54] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[55] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[56] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[57] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[58] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[59] = 0;


}

void loop() {

shiftTimeHrs();
shiftTimeMins();
displayTime();
delay(50);
}

void setDS3231time(byte second, byte minute, byte hour, byte dayOfWeek, byte
dayOfMonth, byte month, byte year)
{

Wire.beginTransmission(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(0);
Wire.write(decToBcd(second)); // sec
Wire.write(decToBcd(minute)); // min
Wire.write(decToBcd(hour)); // hr
Wire.write(decToBcd(dayOfWeek));
Wire.write(decToBcd(dayOfMonth));
Wire.write(decToBcd(month));
Wire.write(decToBcd(year));
Wire.endTransmission();
}



void shiftOut(int myDataPin, int myClockPin, byte myDataOut) {


//setup
int i=0;
int pinState;
pinMode(myClockPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(myDataPin, OUTPUT);

digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

for (i=7; i>=0; i--) {
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

if ( myDataOut & (1< pinState= 1;
}
else {
pinState= 0;
}

digitalWrite(myDataPin, pinState);

digitalWrite(myClockPin, 1);

digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
}

//stop
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);
}



void readDS3231time(byte *second,
byte *minute,
byte *hour,
byte *dayOfWeek,
byte *dayOfMonth,
byte *month,
byte *year)
{
Wire.beginTransmission(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(0); // set DS3231 register pointer to 00h
Wire.endTransmission();
Wire.requestFrom(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS, 7);
// request seven bytes of data from DS3231 starting from register 00h
*second = bcdToDec(Wire.read() & 0x7f);
*minute = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*hour = bcdToDec(Wire.read() & 0x3f);
*dayOfWeek = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*dayOfMonth = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*month = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*year = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
}

void displayTime()
{
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;

readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);

Serial.print(hour, DEC);
Serial.print(":");
if (minute<10)
{
Serial.print("0");
}
Serial.print(minute, DEC);
Serial.print(":");
if (second<10)
{
Serial.print("0");
}
Serial.print(second, DEC);
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.print(dayOfMonth, DEC);
Serial.print("/");
Serial.print(month, DEC);
Serial.print("/");
Serial.println(year, DEC);
}

void shiftTimeMins() { //shifts time to the mins set to registers
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;
readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);
dataONE = dataArrayONE[second];
dataTWO = dataArrayTWO[second];
digitalWrite(latchPinMin, 0);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataONE);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataTWO);
digitalWrite(latchPinMin, 1);
delay(50);
}

void shiftTimeHrs() {
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;
readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);
hour12 = hour % 12;
dataONE = dataArrayONE[minute];
dataTWO = dataArrayTWO[minute];
digitalWrite(latchPinHr, 0);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataONE);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataTWO);
digitalWrite(latchPinHr, 1);
delay(50);
}

)>

[red_dr4gon1]

Here is my home made psu. It is almost working I just need to solder up one connection. It has a 9~12 v input and about 160v output.

[red_dr4gon1]

Update i know it has been a long time but it is working now!

[GoldSrc]

Update i know it has been a long time but it is working now!

Come on, we want to see some pictures.

Good job by the way.

[Jerakl]

"clock"

 

[red_dr4gon1]

As requested here is a picture.nixie.pdf

[red_dr4gon1]

Should I post the updated code and schematics?

[red_dr4gon1]

Come on, we want to see some pictures.

Good job by the way.

I added pictures

[red_dr4gon1]

Well after almost a year of work on this it is done here is the final code

 

#include "Wire.h"

#define DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS 0x68

byte decToBcd(byte val)
{
return( (val/10*16) + (val%10) );
}

byte bcdToDec(byte val)
{
return( (val/16*10) + (val%16) );
}
int latchPinMin = 8; // for the min set
int latchPinHr = 9; // for the hr set
int clockPin = 12;
int dataPin = 11;
int hour12 = 0; // fot the 12 hr converter
int statuspin = 13;


byte dataONE;
byte dataTWO;
byte dataArrayONE[60];
byte dataArrayTWO[60];

void setup() {
Wire.begin();
pinMode(latchPinMin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(latchPinHr, OUTPUT);
Serial.begin(9600);



dataArrayONE[0] = 130;
dataArrayONE[1] = 128;
dataArrayONE[2] = 128;
dataArrayONE[3] = 128;
dataArrayONE[4] = 128;
dataArrayONE[5] = 128;
dataArrayONE[6] = 128;
dataArrayONE[7] = 128;
dataArrayONE[8] = 128;
dataArrayONE[9] = 129;
dataArrayONE[10] = 6;
dataArrayONE[11] = 4;
dataArrayONE[12] = 4;
dataArrayONE[13] = 4;
dataArrayONE[14] = 4;
dataArrayONE[15] = 4;
dataArrayONE[16] = 4;
dataArrayONE[17] = 4;
dataArrayONE[18] = 4;
dataArrayONE[19] = 5;
dataArrayONE[20] = 10;
dataArrayONE[21] = 8;
dataArrayONE[22] = 8;
dataArrayONE[23] = 8;
dataArrayONE[24] = 8;
dataArrayONE[25] = 8;
dataArrayONE[26] = 8;
dataArrayONE[27] = 8;
dataArrayONE[28] = 8;
dataArrayONE[29] = 9;
dataArrayONE[30] = 18;
dataArrayONE[31] = 16;
dataArrayONE[32] = 16;
dataArrayONE[33] = 16;
dataArrayONE[34] = 16;
dataArrayONE[35] = 16;
dataArrayONE[36] = 16;
dataArrayONE[37] = 16;
dataArrayONE[38] = 16;
dataArrayONE[39] = 17;
dataArrayONE[40] = 34;
dataArrayONE[41] = 32;
dataArrayONE[42] = 32;
dataArrayONE[43] = 32;
dataArrayONE[44] = 32;
dataArrayONE[45] = 32;
dataArrayONE[46] = 32;
dataArrayONE[47] = 32;
dataArrayONE[48] = 32;
dataArrayONE[49] = 33;
dataArrayONE[50] = 66;
dataArrayONE[51] = 64;
dataArrayONE[52] = 64;
dataArrayONE[53] = 64;
dataArrayONE[54] = 64;
dataArrayONE[55] = 64;
dataArrayONE[56] = 64;
dataArrayONE[57] = 64;
dataArrayONE[58] = 64;
dataArrayONE[59] = 65;



dataArrayTWO[0] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[1] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[2] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[3] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[4] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[5] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[6] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[7] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[8] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[9] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[10] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[11] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[12] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[13] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[14] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[15] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[16] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[17] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[18] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[19] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[20] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[21] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[22] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[23] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[24] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[25] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[26] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[27] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[28] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[29] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[30] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[31] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[32] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[33] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[34] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[35] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[36] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[37] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[38] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[39] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[40] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[41] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[42] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[43] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[44] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[45] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[46] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[47] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[48] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[49] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[50] = 0;
dataArrayTWO[51] = 1;
dataArrayTWO[52] = 2;
dataArrayTWO[53] = 4;
dataArrayTWO[54] = 8;
dataArrayTWO[55] = 16;
dataArrayTWO[56] = 32;
dataArrayTWO[57] = 64;
dataArrayTWO[58] = 128;
dataArrayTWO[59] = 0;

setDS3231time(0,7,22,1,12,10,2015);
}

void loop() {
digitalWrite(statuspin, 1);
shiftTimeHrs();
shiftTimeMins();
displayTime();
delay(20);
digitalWrite(statuspin, 0);
delay(20);
}


]
int time(int time){
if (time > 12){
time -=12;
} else{
time = time;
}
return time;
}

void setDS3231time(byte second, byte minute, byte hour, byte dayOfWeek, byte
dayOfMonth, byte month, byte year)
{

Wire.beginTransmission(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(0);
Wire.write(decToBcd(second));
Wire.write(decToBcd(minute));
Wire.write(decToBcd(hour)); // set hours
Wire.write(decToBcd(dayOfWeek));
Wire.write(decToBcd(dayOfMonth)); // set date (1 to 31)
Wire.write(decToBcd(month)); // set month
Wire.write(decToBcd(year)); // set year (0 to 99)
Wire.endTransmission();
}



void shiftOut(int myDataPin, int myClockPin, byte myDataOut) {



int i=0;
int pinState;
pinMode(myClockPin, OUTPUT);
pinMode(myDataPin, OUTPUT);


digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

for (i=7; i>=0; i--) {
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);

if ( myDataOut & (1< pinState= 1;
}
else {
pinState= 0;
}


digitalWrite(myDataPin, pinState);

digitalWrite(myClockPin, 1);

digitalWrite(myDataPin, 0);
}

//stop shifting
digitalWrite(myClockPin, 0);
}

void readDS3231time(byte *second,
byte *minute,
byte *hour,
byte *dayOfWeek,
byte *dayOfMonth,
byte *month,
byte *year)
{
Wire.beginTransmission(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS);
Wire.write(0); // set DS3231 register pointer to 00h
Wire.endTransmission();
Wire.requestFrom(DS3231_I2C_ADDRESS, 7);

*second = bcdToDec(Wire.read() & 0x7f);
*minute = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*hour = bcdToDec(Wire.read() & 0x3f);
*dayOfWeek = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*dayOfMonth = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*month = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
*year = bcdToDec(Wire.read());
}

void displayTime()
{
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;

readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);

Serial.print(hour, DEC);
// convert the byte variable to a decimal number when displayed
Serial.print(":");
if (minute<10)
{
Serial.print("0");
}
Serial.print(minute, DEC);
Serial.print(":");
if (second<10)
{
Serial.print("0");
}
Serial.print(second, DEC);
Serial.print(" ");
Serial.print(dayOfMonth, DEC);
Serial.print("/");
Serial.print(month, DEC);
Serial.print("/");
Serial.println(year, DEC);
}

void shiftTimeMins() {
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;
readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);
dataONE = dataArrayONE[minute];
dataTWO = dataArrayTWO[minute];
digitalWrite(latchPinMin, 0);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataTWO);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataONE);
digitalWrite(latchPinMin, 1);
delay(50);
}

void shiftTimeHrs() { //and to the hours
byte second, minute, hour, dayOfWeek, dayOfMonth, month, year;
readDS3231time(&second, &minute, &hour, &dayOfWeek, &dayOfMonth, &month,
&year);
hour12 = time(hour);
Serial.print("the 12 hour function returns");
Serial.println(hour12);
dataONE = dataArrayONE[hour12];
dataTWO = dataArrayTWO[hour12];
digitalWrite(latchPinHr, 0);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataTWO);
shiftOut(dataPin, clockPin, dataONE);
digitalWrite(latchPinHr, 1);
delay(50);
}

)>

[ManWithBeard1990]

Nicely done. Nixie tubes are cool.