Project “Divergence Meter Z mini”
DIY KIT for Z574M Nixie Tubes Clock
Nixie Tubes Clock with Columns
Designed for 6 Z574M / Z573M / Z570M Nixie Tubes
Z574M Tubes are one of the most popular mass-produced Nixie Tubes
Nixie Clocks are one of the most beautiful and popular Vintage Clocks
Clock features Startup Tune, RGB backlight, USB port for updates
Nixie Tubes Clock options include Tubes, Columns, Power Supply
Pluggable Accessories include compact external Temperature sensor
Nixie Clock is fully compatible with Arduino platform program codes
It allows you to write your own unique programs for the Arduino platform
All the latest Source codes are always available on our GitHub channel
PCB, Design, Schematics, Case and Software made by GRA & AFCH

Listing includes:

• Tubes Board NCT4573 with Control Board NCM109 bare PCBs
• Sets of electronic Parts and Components for Tubes Board NCT4573 and Control Board NCM109
• Set of hex Spacers and Screws for Tubes Board NCT4573 with Control Board NCM109
• NE-2H Neon Dots [2 pcs] (with one spare) (included with the KIT)
• Z573M Red Nixie Tubes [6 Tubes Set] (optional, choose in selector)
• NE-2H Neon Dots [2 pcs] (additional) (included with Columns)
• Columns for Dots [2 pcs] [50mm] (optional, choose in selector)
• Temperature sensor [DS18B20] [PH2.0 plug] (optional, choose in selector)
• Power Supply [12V/1A] [US, EU, UK, AU] [AC plug] (optional, choose in selector)
• Principal electrical Schemes for Tubes Board NCT4573 and Control Board NCM109
• BOMs (Bills of Materials) Lists for Tubes Board NCT4573 and Control Board NCM109
• Operating Instruction on vintage-style paper

Columns with separating Dots are optional for the KIT

Temperature sensor with jack 3.5 mm is optional for the KIT

Power Supply is optional for the KIT

We offer optional Accessories for Nixie Clocks:

Our Benefits:

• All our Nixie Tubes Clocks are using HV513WG chips,
  it provides higher brightness in multiplexing mode in comparison with HV5812 chip and greater reliability compared to legacy K155ID1
• We offer flexible Tubes Boards platform, that support many Nixie Tubes
  (out Tubes Boards designed for IN-4, IN-8, IN-8-2, IN-12, IN-14, IN-16, IN-17, IN-18 and Z573, Z5660M, ZM1042, Z568M Nixie Tubes)
• It is easy to build a beautiful Nixie Tubes Clock with our Boards, we also offer Acrylic, Wooden and Stone Cases for our Clocks
• Fast uploading pf the Firmware via USB to the Control Board
• All the latest version of the Firmwares to all our Nixie Clocks are always available on our GitHub channel
• No need for additional drivers, we are using only genuine USB-to-serial converters (FTDI),
  drivers for them are pre-installed in all popular OSes: Windows, MacOS, Linux
• It is easy to modify the Nixie Clock’s Firmware functions for your tasks due to the open Arduino platform
• We use High Quality PCBs and Components, also we use Japanese aluminum capacitors only for our Boards (Nichicon, Panasonic)
• Tubes Board is easy to modify by cutting if you want to build 4 Tubes Clock [HH:MM] from 6 Tubes Clock
• Our Nixie Boards use Power On Self-Test (POST): LED backlight flashing,Tubes flashing and Start up Tune. Our Boards use,
  Firmware version can be seen at the end of the POST test
• Our Tubes Boards use Unique detailed Tube test – our soft test checks each Tubes segment on every Tube so it distinguishable to see segments failures
• We provide competent technical support for all our products

Software Features:

• Clock support many kinds of Nixie tubes (6 tubes [hh:mm:ss] format and 4 tubes [hh:mm]).
• 12/24 hour format.
• Date format: DD:MM:YY
• Unique RGB LEDs backlight with 16,7 million colors.
• Very easy to switch LEDS off/on or set desired color.
• As alarm sound clock uses standard RTTTL (Nokia format) melodies, so You can easy change it. (included songs: mission impossible, we wish you).
• Easy updating firmware via USB using Arduino IDE.
• Software based on Arduino sketch, so MCU has Arduino bootloader within.
• Power On Self-Test (POST): LEDs test, tubes test, input voltage test, sound test.
• Keep time counting until power off.
• All setting stored to non-volatile memory.

Hardware Features:

• Integrated High Voltage Power supply 150 – 220V.
• ICSP connector for flashing Arduino Bootloader to blank MCU.
• 3 PWM channels for RGB LEDs 8 bit per channel = 24bit = 16,7 million colors. It can be disabled in the menu (see manual).
• Test points for testing, adjust and control low and high voltage circuits.
• Pads for internal buttons and terminals for external buttons.
• Pads for internal USB connector and terminals for external USB.
• Terminals for internal and external power connector.
• Terminals for external and internal buzzer.
• 2 dots column with separate controls upper and lower dots.
• Power consumption: 11-14V, 360mA (Recommended power source: voltage 12V, current 1-2A).
• MCU board NCM109 has world smallest size: 100mmx50mm.
• Tubes board NCT4573 size: 200mmx50mm.

*The MCU board support a variety of tubes, such: ZM1042, Z522M, Z566M, Z5220M, ZM1040, Z5660M, B566M, LC-631, IN-14, IN-18, IN-12, IN-8, IN-7, IN-1, IN-2, IN-4, IN-8-2, IN-15, IN-16, IN-17 to use this tubes You need appropriate tubes PCB(s).

Actual photos of tubes PCBs:

Boards Dimensions in 2D and 3D

Example of assembled boards

Electrical schemes:

Operating Instruction