Project “Divergence Meter”
DIY KIT for IN-18 Shield Nixie Tubes Clock
Arduino Shield Nixie Tubes Clock with Column
Designed for 4 IN-18 xUSSR Nixie Tubes with Sockets
IN-18 Tubes are one of the biggest 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
Shield features Sockets and options include Tubes, Column, Power Supply
Accessories include Temp. sensor, GPS Receiver, IR Remote
Shield Clock is designed for Arduino UNO and MEGA 2560 Boards
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:

• Shield Tubes Board NCS318-4 bare PCB
• Set of electronic Parts and Components for Shield Tubes Board NCS318-4
• Set of hex Spacers and Screws for Shield Tubes Board NCS318-4
  with Arduino Control Board [UNO or MEGA 2560]
• NE-2H Neon Dots [1 pcs] (with one spare) (included with the KIT)
• IN-18 Nixie Tubes [4 Tubes Set] (optional, choose in selector)
• Sockets for Tubes [for 4 Tubes] [thick pins] (included, with the KIT)
• NE-2H Neon Dot (additional) (included with Column)
• Column for Dots [65mm] (optional, choose in selector)
• Arduino Control Board [UNO or MEGA 2560] (optional, choose in selector)
• Temperature sensor [DS18B20] [3.5mm jack] (optional, choose in selector)
• GPS Receiver [GA-6] [3.5mm jack] (requires Arduino MEGA 2560) (optional, choose in selector)
• IR Remote [RMX153R] [IR] (requires Arduino MEGA 2560) (optional, choose in selector)
• Power Supply [12V/1A] [US, EU, UK, AU] [AC plug] (optional, choose in selector)
• Principal electrical Scheme for Shield Tubes Board NCS318-4
• BOM (Bill of Materials) List for Shield Tubes Board NCS318-4
• Operating Instruction on vintage-style paper

Shield Board include Socket pins for Nixie Tubes

Column with separating Dots is optional for the KIT

Arduino Control Board is optional for the KIT

Power Supply is optional for the KIT

Nixie Clock support usage of basic Accessory – Temperature sensor
Arduino Shield Clock support usage of advanced Accessories: GPS Receiver and IR Remote (with Arduino MEGA)

We offer optional Accessories for Arduino Shield 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 uses rarest xUSSR nixie tubes IN-18 – 4 pcs.
• Date format: [DD:MM:YY]; 12/24 hour format: [HH:MM:SS].
• Full static display mode. The maximum possible brightness of the tubes.
• Slot Machine (Anti poisoning – tubes saving function. Increases the service life).
• Temperature measurement [Celsius or Fahrenheit] (optional – choose in selector).
• GPS time synchronization (requires a standard GPS receiver, NMEA protocol, 5 V power supply, optional – choose in selector).
• IR remote controls (Remote control model Sony RM-X151/RM-X153, optional – choose in selector). IR protocol SIRC or any protocol if you able to implement it.
• Automatic update information on the tubes.
• Unique RGB LED backlight with 16,7 million colors. Your can choose any constant color off backlight LED and memorize it. Or you have option for a cyclic full spectrum color change!
• Switching on/off LED backlight in the matter of seconds.
• As alarm sound clock uses standard RTTTL (Nokia format) melodies, so you can easily change it (included songs: Mission Impossible, We Wish You…).
• Easy updating firmware via USB using Arduino IDE.
• Power On Self-Test (POST): LED backlight, tubes and sound. You can check firmware version at the end. Unique detailed tube test – our soft check each segment on every lamp. Distinguishable to see segment failure.

Hardware Features:

• Highly Accurate RTC (Real Time Clock) DS3231SN with backup battery.
• Integrated adjustable High Voltage Power supply: 150 – 220 V.
• High voltage adjusting potentiometer.
• 3 control buttons on board.
• 4 pcs RGB SMD LEDs.
• 3 PWM channels for RGB LEDs 8 bit per channel = 24bit = 16,7 million colors. It can be disabled in the menu (please check the manual).
• High quality PCB and components. We use Japanese aluminum capacitors only (Nichicon, Panasonic).
• Internal buzzer.
• Test points for testing, adjusting and controlling low and high voltage circuits.
• Plug for optional external GPS receiver (only with Arduino Mega).
• IR receiver TSOP4836 for optional IR remote controllers (In case of using Arduino UNO, they may conflict with “Tone” library). If you plan to use remote controll, we strongly recommend the using of Arduino MEGA – works fluently.
• 3 pin connector for optional Temperature sensor (DS18B20; 1-Wire protocol).
• Plug for optional external GPS receiver.
• SPI up to 4Mhz.
• Places for 2 column with 2 neon dots (digits separator).
• Independent controls for upper and lower dots.
• Power consumption: 11-14 VDC, 750 mA. Recommended: 12 VDC, not less than 1A. Power supply connector dimensions 5.5 x 2.1mm (center pin positive “+”).
• Reverse polarity protection.
• IN-18 Tubes Clock dimensions without the Tubes: 170(L) x 20(H) x 53(W) mm

IN-18 Shield NCS318-4 Electrical Scheme:

IN-18 NCS318-4 Arduino Shield References:

NCS318-4 Shield Board Top Bare PCB:

NCS318-4 Shield Board Bottom Bare PCB:

NCS318-4 Shield Board Top Populated PCB:

NCS318-4 Shield Board Bottom Populated PCB:

DIY KIT for NCS318-4 Shield:

IN-18 Arduino Shield NCS318-4 Nixie Tubes Clock by GRA & AFCH:

Operating Instruction