Remember...this is much more than building a clock. My first nixie clock project was in late 2010, and was inspired by an old windows PC that was literally on the edge of my garbage bin, waiting to be tossed-in because it was uselessly slow due to all the windows patches. I put Linux on it, found free software for capturing schematics, doing PCB layout, simulating analog and digital. I tied all these together, and cranked out my first PCB in 25 years that worked right the first time.
Dont rush thru the project; take time to learn everything and develop life-long skills On Tuesday, September 23, 2025 at 1:57:46 AM UTC-7 Adrian Godwin wrote: > Good point. You might also try a 'filled zone' which can connect all the > gnd points together using all the remaining copper on the board. > Unfortunately the autorouter has sliced it up thoroughly which may leave it > in pieces but if it manages a complete margin around the edge of the board > it will help. You can also fill both top and bottom surfaces with gnd, then > link the two together with vias in a grid. > > On Tue, Sep 23, 2025 at 9:25 AM newxito <[email protected]> wrote: > >> I'm not really qualified to give advice, but I'll do it anyway :-) >> >> If using a barrel jack, consider putting some kind of reverse polarity >> protection. A simple schottky diode or better a mosfet with low Rds(on) >> should do the job. If you want to be on the safe side, you can add also an >> overvoltage protection but that's a bit more complicated. I use a >> specialized IC for that. You have also room on your pcb for an appropiate >> (resettable) fuse. >> I don't know if feeding your HV module through thin traces and a via is a >> good idea. You may consider using thicker 5V and GND direct traces instead. >> That's an easy change on your board. >> >> Have fun with your project. >> >> Florian van der Dussen schrieb am Dienstag, 23. September 2025 um >> 09:11:23 UTC+2: >> >>> Dear all, >>> >>> Thank you for the valuable information and help you’ve shared. I never >>> expected so many replies. I really appreciate it! >>> >>> It seems I’ve sparked an interesting discussion here. >>> >>> First of all, David, thank you for your encouraging words. Your outlook >>> aligns closely with mine: my focus is on creating a product, not just >>> accumulating theoretical knowledge. What excites me most is working toward >>> a tangible end result, and the learning that happens along the way is a >>> byproduct I greatly value. Creating the logic gates for tiny clocks will >>> devalue that goal. >>> >>> Leroy, thank you as well for your critical points. I do take your more >>> traditional approach into account, and I understand its importance. Your 25 >>> years of experience are invaluable. However, I don’t have the luxury of >>> unlimited time or resources to master every tiny step in isolation. I >>> realize that using a microcontroller is overkill in this case, but since I >>> already have experience with MCUs, and even a stack of Picos ready to use. >>> In that case it makes sense for me. That said, I will go through the books >>> you suggested to strengthen my foundation and fill in the gaps I’m >>> skipping. In my humble opinion as an inexperience student, never use the >>> word "impossible", it's a word that shouldn't exist in an learning forum. >>> It limits yourself and the ones around you for the unimportant argument of >>> "realism". >>> >>> A few additional notes that I didn't mention in my first message: I’m >>> still waiting on some nixie tubes I ordered, though they’ve proven either >>> very expensive or difficult to get in the Netherlands. In the meantime, I’m >>> proceeding in parallel. I have always planned with a breadboard version to >>> identify shortcomings before moving further. I never expected this much >>> feedback, but I did hope to learn from the wisdom of those who have already >>> gone through this phase in their own projects to hopefully ease mine. >>> >>> I’m a young student pursuing this entirely outside of my formal studies, >>> with very limited resources. From the start I knew this wouldn’t be a >>> “flat” learning curve, but to me, that’s exactly what being a student >>> should mean. If I avoided every challenge that seemed too steep, this >>> extracurricular journey would have ended the moment I opened my first >>> book/page. I understand I am cutting corners at times, but I believe that >>> diving into the deep end allows me to learn more, faster, even if that >>> means frying a few IC's along the way. And that is an attitude I hope to >>> carry with me throughout my life. >>> >>> You cannot be an expert about everything in life, but I hope that I can >>> still make some cool projects along the way. >>> >>> P.S. I might just take you guys up on the challenge about building and >>> flying that helicopter :) >>> >>> I will keep you guys posted of the progress, >>> >>> Florian >>> >>> On Tue, Sep 23, 2025, 01:29 Adrian Godwin <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> If he wanted to fly a helicopter without training, I would stop him >>>> too. >>>> >>>> But he has respect for the HV supply which is the only real danger. >>>> He's aware of the need for anode resistors. He might burn out a few ICs by >>>> shorting some wires together but I don't see any real harm. One learns >>>> from >>>> one's mistakes. Likely he'd do that with TTL too. >>>> >>>> Sure, an education in digital logic would be valuable, as would a >>>> lightweight introduction to nixies. But I don't see any reason why you >>>> can't learn on a microprocessor just as well. Thousands of people's first >>>> encounter of electronics has been with Arduinos and have found them a >>>> great >>>> start. The Pico is more complex but actually easier to use. >>>> >>>> You're not wrong, Leroy, but I think a course of action that interests >>>> and enthuses him is the most important part. Personally, I'm quite >>>> impressed by his efforts. There are problems, sure, but he's come asking >>>> for help knowing that he doesn't know enough. What's the harm in >>>> encouraging him ? >>>> >>>> On Mon, Sep 22, 2025 at 11:41 PM Leroy Jones <[email protected]> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> David Pye, >>>>> >>>>> That is an oversimplification. Operating nixie tubes comes with a >>>>> whole universe of unique considerations. >>>>> Knowing how to program a micro cannot, and will not prepare a newcomer >>>>> properly for building a nixie tube clock. >>>>> >>>>> I am done here. Not going to waste my valuable time screaming at a >>>>> brick wall. The new guy either learns or he does not. >>>>> >>>>> That is up to him now. I have laid down a few of the basics for >>>>> him. (Hint: A PCB should not be made until the circuit has been tested >>>>> and >>>>> proven out.).................PCBs are for mass production. One off >>>>> experiment is much better and faster on a solderless white board. >>>>> Much easier to change and to learn from. >>>>> >>>>> But I am sure someone will want to get the last word in and certainly >>>>> not allow any talk of discrete logic circuits to go unchallenged. >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, September 22, 2025 at 6:11:12 PM UTC-4 David Pye wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> My point remains. If you already know to program MCUs already, >>>>>> there's no need to go down the route of 74 series counters to build a >>>>>> clock, unless you want to. You can fuse that knowledge with the >>>>>> fundamentals of driving nixies. >>>>>> >>>>>> I certainly didn't build a clock based on because I already knew how >>>>>> to use microcontrollers. >>>>>> >>>>>> Following your logic to it's endpoint, you'd be telling him to learn >>>>>> how to build a clockwork grandfather clock before daring to build a >>>>>> digital >>>>>> clock. >>>>>> >>>>>> David >>>>>> >>>>>> On Mon, 22 Sept 2025, 22:55 Leroy Jones, <[email protected]> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> Adrian, I am so glad that you brought up the complexities of >>>>>>> digital design. Decoupling caps. Hefty grounds. >>>>>>> These things should not ever be overlooked in ANY well designed >>>>>>> circuit. I am not ready to give this young man the go-ahead >>>>>>> for the processor operated clock until he builds at least a few from >>>>>>> discrete logic first! Of course it is up to him how he wishes to >>>>>>> spend >>>>>>> his time. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> How many of you guys on here have designed and built nixie clocks >>>>>>> that run on discrete logic and function properly for 25+ years without >>>>>>> any >>>>>>> trouble? >>>>>>> Because I have done so. Many different versions. I speak from >>>>>>> experience. But maybe that is of no value now. We just grab a >>>>>>> raspberry >>>>>>> pi and act cool >>>>>>> about it and hope it works. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:46:00 PM UTC-4 Leroy Jones wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>>> David Pye: You are missing the point of what I am trying to >>>>>>>> convey here. My point is that trying to design and build a >>>>>>>> microproceeor >>>>>>>> controlled nixie tube >>>>>>>> clock from scratch is an ambitious project even for experienced >>>>>>>> people. Ambitious for an experienced man. Impossible for a >>>>>>>> beginner. >>>>>>>> That is my point. >>>>>>>> It is about the same as someone who has never flown an airplane nor >>>>>>>> been involved with aviation in any way, suddenly thinks they can >>>>>>>> design and >>>>>>>> build a working >>>>>>>> helicopter from scratch and have it work flawlessly the first time >>>>>>>> without having any prior experience of any kind. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> The only way to do it is to learn each small thing in small steps. >>>>>>>> Building a working nixie clock from scratch is a massive >>>>>>>> undertaking. No >>>>>>>> way around that. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> I am attempting to give guidance to this young man so that he might >>>>>>>> learn. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Got to crawl before walking. Got to walk before running. Folks >>>>>>>> today seem to want everything to have a processor in it. >>>>>>>> And made on a PCB. Lots of luck with that as a first-off effort! >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Get a solderless breadboard. Get some #24 gauge solid tinned >>>>>>>> jumper wires. Get a nixie tube. Get a 170 volt DC power supply. >>>>>>>> Get a 5 volt DC power supply. Connect both supplies so they share >>>>>>>> a common ground. Use a 15k anode resistor for the nixie tube. >>>>>>>> Get a 74141 nixie driver IC. Get a 74LS160 decade counter. >>>>>>>> Learn how to operate the counter using a 555 timer IC running in >>>>>>>> astable >>>>>>>> mode. >>>>>>>> Connect the counter to the nixie driver IC. Turn it on and watch >>>>>>>> it count. For detailed explanation and study, get these two books: >>>>>>>> 1) The TTL Cookbook by Don Lancaster. >>>>>>>> 2) The CMOS Cookbook by Don Lancaster. >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> How the hell can anyone expect a newbie to understand what the >>>>>>>> processor is actually accomplishing without having him >>>>>>>> first deal personally with each binary bit? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Or are we now in such an age where fundamental understanding has >>>>>>>> been relegated to the dustbin, because it is "Too Hard, and Too Much >>>>>>>> Work" >>>>>>>> ? >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Flatten out the learning curve? Nope sorry. Not buying it. >>>>>>>> ("flatten the curve".......hmmm......where have we heard THIS before?) >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> Chuck >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>> On Monday, September 22, 2025 at 5:08:27 PM UTC-4 David Pye wrote: >>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> While I agree with some of this, I don't necessarily agree >>>>>>>>> entirely. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> There are lots of things about the PCB that could be improved (eg >>>>>>>>> using ground planes/fills) and simple starting experiments - eg a >>>>>>>>> trial >>>>>>>>> single-digit-nixie is a good place to start, to work out where the >>>>>>>>> gaps in >>>>>>>>> your understanding are, and you can then incorporate what you learn >>>>>>>>> into >>>>>>>>> the clock. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> What I don't necessarily agree with is starting by a clock using >>>>>>>>> discrete ICs and not a microcontroller. *IF* you come from the >>>>>>>>> generation >>>>>>>>> where arduino/rPi Pico are more familiar to you than large numbers of >>>>>>>>> chained 74-series ICs (like me), then you might well find it easier >>>>>>>>> to use >>>>>>>>> an MCU to drive your clock. If you're 'old school' and MCUs are also >>>>>>>>> new >>>>>>>>> to you, then sticking to that should flatten out the learning curve a >>>>>>>>> bit. >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> David >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> On Mon, 22 Sept 2025 at 20:38, Leroy Jones <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> For a 21 year old guy with no previous electronics experience, in >>>>>>>>>> my humble opinion, you are jumping in far far deeper >>>>>>>>>> than your present skill level is capable of producing any >>>>>>>>>> meaningful results. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> First of all, you have NEVER even fired up a nixie tube yet. >>>>>>>>>> Nor have you studied and worked with logic gates. >>>>>>>>>> If you want success, the first thing to do is get a nixie tube >>>>>>>>>> and a 170 volt DC power supply and a 15k anode resistor, then start >>>>>>>>>> experimenting lighting the tube digits. Next, get a 74141 or a >>>>>>>>>> 7441 nixie driver IC, and connect it up to an appropriate 4-bit >>>>>>>>>> switch of >>>>>>>>>> come sort >>>>>>>>>> so that you can feed it binary bits at the 5 volt level, and >>>>>>>>>> light the tube digits. Next thing then is to switch those bits >>>>>>>>>> using a >>>>>>>>>> counter such as 74LS160. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> As for a nixie clock, I would strongly suggest making one that >>>>>>>>>> uses no processor of any sort. Use TTL or CMOS logic to run >>>>>>>>>> counters that >>>>>>>>>> drive >>>>>>>>>> the 74141 nixie driver ICs. A very nice nixie clock can be >>>>>>>>>> made using about 16 to 20 ICs. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> Learning electronics and learning to use digital ICs and nixie >>>>>>>>>> tubes requires many, many practical tests and experiments. >>>>>>>>>> Jumping right in cold, with no prior experience right away >>>>>>>>>> thinking that a complex PCB can be designed and a clock made to >>>>>>>>>> operate >>>>>>>>>> without doing any experiments to prove the fundamental concepts >>>>>>>>>> is THE classic recipe for failure. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> I can help with book recommendations, parts lists to experiment >>>>>>>>>> with, and experiments to do. >>>>>>>>>> Take it slow. Stay down at the level of reality. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> -Chuck >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> On Monday, September 22, 2025 at 3:02:23 PM UTC-4 Adrian Godwin >>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> Also, put 100n capacitors between supply (5v or 3v3) and gnd >>>>>>>>>>> near each and every IC. >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM Adrian Godwin <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Thanks for the pdf. Yes, the schematic wasn't usable. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> The first problem I've found is that SCLK and SDATA are >>>>>>>>>>>> connected to 3v3 and then have resistors in line. I'm pretty sure >>>>>>>>>>>> you had >>>>>>>>>>>> the right idea but made an error on the wiring, but if it's not >>>>>>>>>>>> obvious the >>>>>>>>>>>> resistors should be between 3v3 and the clk/data lines. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> You will likely need a pullup resistor on the light sensor., >>>>>>>>>>>> unless the Pi has one internally that can be enabled on analog >>>>>>>>>>>> inputs. They >>>>>>>>>>>> normally just measure voltages and you want to measure resistance. >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> Overall, it's pretty good for a first try ! >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> On Mon, Sep 22, 2025 at 7:48 PM Mac Doktor <[email protected]> >>>>>>>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> On Sep 22, 2025, at 2:43 PM, Florian van der Dussen < >>>>>>>>>>>>> [email protected]> wrote: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Current schematic: >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> The schematic is too small to read. Please share a larger copy. >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> Terry Bowman, KA4HJH >>>>>>>>>>>>> "The Mac Doctor" >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> https://www.astarcloseup.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> "If only you could see what I've seen with your eyes."—Roy >>>>>>>>>>>>> Batty, *Blade Runner* >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>>>>> Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from >>>>>>>>>>>>> it, send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>>>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>>>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/33D10011-0F75-49D6-81B7-8049459EDE45%40gmail.com >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/33D10011-0F75-49D6-81B7-8049459EDE45%40gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the >>>>>>>>>> Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>>>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/022b559a-12fd-4b3c-ac21-73224c815c0dn%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/022b559a-12fd-4b3c-ac21-73224c815c0dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>>>>> . >>>>>>>>>> >>>>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to [email protected]. >>>>>>> >>>>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/f9f50dd1-abf1-4eed-810a-95a7f50db3d1n%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/f9f50dd1-abf1-4eed-810a-95a7f50db3d1n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to [email protected]. >>>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/7a1ae0a3-ecf3-4b3c-802a-137cee4dc38dn%40googlegroups.com >>>>> >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/7a1ae0a3-ecf3-4b3c-802a-137cee4dc38dn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- >>>> >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in the >>>> Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/neonixie-l/1ElHfdtIMOo/unsubscribe. >>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>> [email protected]. >>>> To view this discussion, visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CALiMYrs%3Ds6P1YKRtwOwr1SKbMC89iVcPv9XoWEHcysi7u2-_gw%40mail.gmail.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CALiMYrs%3Ds6P1YKRtwOwr1SKbMC89iVcPv9XoWEHcysi7u2-_gw%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to [email protected]. >> > To view this discussion, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/94d5b9d6-ddd2-48a0-af96-cc5f9dd76f4bn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/94d5b9d6-ddd2-48a0-af96-cc5f9dd76f4bn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. 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