Project “Divergence Meter Z”
Nixie Tubes Clock with Columns and Sockets
Designed for 6 Z5660M / Z566M / ZM1042 / ZM1040 Tubes
Z5660M 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
Nixie features Sockets and 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:

• Nixie Clock with Sockets and Dots [Tubes Board with Control Board]
• Z5660M Nixie Tubes [6 Tubes Set] (optional, choose in selector)
• Sockets for Tubes [thick pins] [for 6 Tubes] (included with the Clock)
• Columns for Dots [65mm] [2 pcs] (optional, choose in selector)
• Temperature sensor [DS18B20] [PH2.0 plug] (optional, choose in selector)
• Power Supply [DC 12V/1A] [US, EU, UK, AU] [AC plug] (optional, choose in selector)
• Operating Instruction on vintage-style paper

Nixie Board features Socket pins for Nixie Tubes

Columns with separating Dots are optional for the Clock

Temperature sensor with jack 3.5 mm is optional for the Clock

Power Supply is optional for the Clock

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] and 4 tubes [HH:MM] format).
• Date format: 4 tubes [DD:MM]; 6 tubes [DD:MM:YY]; 12/24 hour mode.
• Slot Machine (Anti poisoning – tubes saving function. Increases the service life).
• Unique RGB LED backlight with 16,7 million colors. Possible to 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.
• Software based on Arduino Sketch, so MCU has Arduino bootloader within.
• 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.
• Keep time counting until power off.
• All settings are 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 (please check the manual)
• High quality PCB and components. We use Japanese aluminum capacitors only (Nichicon, Panasonic)
• 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 (digits separator) with independent controls for upper and lower dots
• Power consumption: 11-14V, 360mA (Recommended: 12 VDC, not less than 1A)
• NCM109  MCU board size: 100 x 50mm  (World’s smallest dimension)
• NCT3566 Tubes board size: 264mmx50mm

*The MCU board support a variety of tubes, such:
ZM1042, Z522M, Z566M, Z5220M, ZM1040, Z5660M, B566M, LC-631;
xUSSR’s types: 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).
**4 tubes clock available only on ZM1042, Z522M, Z566M, Z5220M, ZM1040, Z5660M series (NCT566 boards)

Control Board

Boards Dimensions in 2D and 3D

Actual photos of tubes PCBs:

Z5660M Nixie Tubes Clock with Sockets and Columns by GRA & AFCH

Operating Instruction