Arduino Nixie Clock

“MNC6”

Operating Instructions
Firmware V1
Supported Models:

MNC6

MNC6UserManualV1.odt

1|MNC6 User Manual

Index

Contents
Index.................................................................................................................................................2
About this document.........................................................................................................................3
Contact Information..........................................................................................................................3
Description.......................................................................................................................................4
Safety................................................................................................................................................5
General.............................................................................................................................................5
Time Providers..................................................................................................................................6
WiFi Time Providers.....................................................................................................................6
Real Time Clock...........................................................................................................................6
Basic Time Setting (RTC Only).......................................................................................................6
Temporary Display Mode.................................................................................................................7
Setting Mode....................................................................................................................................9
Display Blanking Mode..................................................................................................................14
PIR / Microwave Motion Detector Blanking.................................................................................14
Tube Healing Mode........................................................................................................................14
Factory Reset..................................................................................................................................15
External power supply....................................................................................................................15
WiFi Module...................................................................................................................................16
Helpful Video.............................................................................................................................16
Set up..........................................................................................................................................16
Initial Connection Troubleshooting............................................................................................17
Configure the WiFi.....................................................................................................................18

2|MNC6 User Manual

About this document
This is the user instruction manual for the Nixie Clocks shown on the first page

• MNC6 PCBA Clock

If you want to have the construction manual to guide you through the process of building
the clock, please find the appropriate manual at:

https://www.nixieclock.biz/Manuals.html

There should have been an exact link to the clock manuals on the packing skip you
received in the package.

Contact Information

If you want to get in contact with us, please email to:

[email protected]

We'll usually get back to you right away. We can help you with kits or construction.

We also offer discounts for direct purchases, we save the Ebay fees, and share this with
you.

http://www.open-rate.com/Store.html

There is also a forum for the clocks, where you can find many answers to questions and
contact others who are also using the clocks at:

https://goo.gl/dQUYWx

Which should redirect you to the much longer:

https://www.tubeclockdb.com/component/kunena/12-arduino-nixie-clock-kit-
support-forum.html

3|MNC6 User Manual

Description
The MNC6 Nixie Clock is a beautiful mix of old and new, resulting in a high accuracy, low
power clock which will be a talking point in your home.

The clock has the following features:

• Latest technology, highly reliable and accurate. Factory assembled for maximum
reliability.
• Open source code
• Based on the Arduino micro-controller: Easy to program and well documented.
• Low power consumption.
• Long tube life:
◦ Anti Cathode Poisoning (ACP) and configurable blanking makes sure that the
tubes will stay healthy for many years with no intervention from you.
◦ Automatic blanking using a PIR (Passive InfraRed sensor) so that the tubes are
turned off when no one is in the same room as the clock.
◦ Time based blanking
◦ Direct tube drive
• All settings are stored in non-volatile memory. Once they are set, they are
remembered forever, or until you change them again.
• RGB back lighting allows you to set the color of the back lighting to practically any
color you desire. The back lights can show 16 million colours.
• Random RGB back lighting provides a constantly changing, subtle back lighting
effect if you configure it.
• Ambient light sensing, with automatic tube dimming, which sets the tube and LED
brightness according to the light conditions. This also increases tube life.
• Silent operation. Some Nixie clocks emit an irritating “buzz” or “hiss” which is
especially annoying if you keep the clock in a bedroom.
• Configurable suppression of Anti Cathode Poisoning when the clock is fully dimmed.
In the middle of the night, all the digits lighting up at full brightness could be
disturbing. You can choose to stop ACP when the clock is fully dimmed
• Highly accurate when using RTC module:
• Battery backed, temperature compensated, high accuracy clock. The
accuracy is Accuracy ±2ppm from 0°C to +40°C. (Maximum 1 minute per
year).
• The battery life should be 3 years in normal use.
• Retains the date and time even when turned off (not just for a few minutes,
but for as long as the battery lasts)
• Leap Year Compensation Valid Up to the year 2100
• Extremely accurate when using the on-board Wifi module:
• The time never drifts, is always right to within 1 second.
• Automatically compensates for Daylight Savings Time changes, leap years
and seconds.
• The controller can be programmed without removing it from the board, by using the
ICSP port on the board.

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Safety
The voltages produced in the High Voltage circuit can reach peaks of 200V! Take
precautions not to electrocute yourself! If you are not sure what this means, please do not
use this clock and return it for a full refund.

A shock from the clock high voltage circuit is at least a nasty bite. At worst it can kill you.

We decline any responsibility in the case of injury or death. You must be qualified to
assemble and used this clock, it is not intended for anyone unqualified. You are also
responsible for ensuring that others are not injured by this clock, and you must enclose it
is a suitable case which ensures that people cannot touch the internals. You must also
provide adequate ventilation for the case.

This clock can be a fire risk. You are responsible for making sure that it does not cause a
fire.

REPEAT: If you are not sure what this means, do not use the clock!

General
The clock has different modes of operation, which you select using the pushbutton.

First Start

When you start the clock up th very first time, it will start in “First Start Mode”. This mode
is intended to simplify the set up of the hardware. It cycles through the digits “0” - “9” and
shows the LEDs in different colours..

To EXIT First Start Mode, press the pushbutton when the display shows
“88:88:88”, and the clock will enter calibration mode!

Once you have exited First Start Mode, it will not enter it again until you do a factory reset
(See below).

Clock Mode

After the first start, each time you start up the unit, the clock will go into normal clock
mode and will display the time. In normal clock mode, the time will be displayed.

Every 10 minutes (at “xx:x9:15”, the clock will do “Anti-Cathode Poisoning”, which will cycle
all the digits for about 15 seconds.

This is not an error! It is important to keep the tubes healthy in the long term.

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Time Providers
The clocks can use either a battery backed RTC module or a WiFi module.

If you install both, the WiFi module will set the RTC module to keep it up to date. After 5
minutes when no information is received from the WiFi module, the clock will revert to
using the RTC module.

WiFi Time Providers

By default, the clock is designed to use a WiFi real time provider, which logs into your
home WiFi network and periodically retrieves the time from Internet time sources. These
are accurate to 1 second, and auto adjust for Daylight Savings Time. You configure once,
and then the module remembers the configuration forever.

Additionally, the WiFi time module gives you an easy to configure interface, which you can
use to set up the clock using a tablet, phone or computer.

Real Time Clock

The clock comes with a Real Time Clock (RTC) module on the main board, which provides a
battery backed time source that remembers the time even when the clock is not powered
up. If you have a WiFi module installed, the RTC is automatically set according to Internet
time.

Basic Time Setting (RTC Only)

To set the hours – press and hold the ‘H’ button until you see the Hours illuminated with a
green flashing light. Release the ‘H’ button and then press it repeatedly to cycle through
the hours 00 – 23. When you have the correct hour, remove finger from button and just
wait for 10 seconds until the green flashing stops, the hours are now set.

To set the Minutes – press and hold the ‘M’ button until you see the Minutes illuminated
with a green flashing light. Release the ‘M’ button and then press it repeatedly to cycle
through the Minutes 00 – 59. When you have the correct minute, remove finger from
button and just wait for 10 seconds until the green flashing stops, the Minutes are now set.
Also note, the seconds will zero while you are setting the minutes.

That’s it – you now have the time set and if that’s all you wish from your clock you can
disregard the rest of these instructions. It will accurately and reliably keep time for you.

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Temporary Display Mode
Normally, the clock will show the time. To show additional information press the button
with a “short” press. Each press cycles through the following information. After 5 seconds,
the display will revert to the normal time display.

Mode Description Values

Date Date. The current date will be shown in the date format Example
you selected. “17:06:18”
Temp Temperature / Time Provider Module status. “TT:tt:SS”

SS (the seconds digits) can have 4 values: Example:

“10”: The clock does not have a time provider installed, “22:25:13”
and is working off the internal time source. (Not accurate)
“11”: The clock has an RTC time source installed. Means
“12”: The clock has a WiFi time source installed. “22.25 Degrees
“13”: The clock has a WiFi and an RTC time source installed
WiFi and RTC
The digits “TT:tt” (hours and minutes) will show the installed”
temperature, to the nearest ¼ degree, where “TT” is whole
degrees, and “tt” is fractional degrees. In modes “10” and
“12” the temperature is shown as “00:00:10” or “00:00:12”.

The temperature shown is the current temperature inside

the clock case in degrees Celsius. If this goes above 40,
you should consider ventilating the case, because the
temperature compensation is not able to work at such high
voltages, and the clock life may be reduced.
LDR Ambient Light Reading. This shows the current ambient Example
light reading from the LDR (light dependent resistor). It is a “01:00:--”
normalized value, and goes between 100 (dark) to 999
(bright). This controls the dimming of the tubes. 100: darkest
999: brightest
Version Version Number. Display the version number. The format Example
will be :”VV vv 07”, where major version is “VV”, minor “03:51:--”
version is “vv” and the “21” is the id for the version display.
IP If you have the WiFi module connected, this will show the Example:
Address first two digits of the 4 digit IP address. Usually this address “19:21:68”
part 1 starts with “192.168”.
= “192.168”
Note: The IP address is skipped if you do not have the WiFi
module connected.
IP If you have the WiFi module connected, this will show the Example:
Address last two digits of the 4 digit IP address. Put this together “00:11:06”
part 2 with the value shown in IP Address part 1 to give the full
address. = “001.106”

You can enter the whole value into your browser to connect
to the module. You must remove any leading “0” from the
value. If you receive “192.168.001.106”, you must enter
this as “192.168.1.106” into your browser address bar.

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 Mode Description Values
Mux This shows the number of impressions per second, which is Example:
Speed the refresh rate of the display. It varies a little based on the “00:00:94”
exact workload but is usually about 90 impressions per
second. The exact value is not significant. It does not affect
the time keeping.

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Setting Mode
Note: If you have the WiFi module connected, almost all of these settings can be
configured using a browser! Connect to the address shown in the “IP Address” in the
previous section.

To enter setting mode, press the both buttons together for more than 1 second. The
“RGB back light” LEDs will turn green and blue to help you see what you are setting.

Each press of the "H" button will move the setting mode onto the next. Each press of the
"M" button will change the option.

To exit the setting mode and save changes, press either button (or both together again)
for more than 2 seconds.

If you don't wish to save the changes, just leave the clock alone and after 60 seconds
it will discard the changes and go back into normal time mode.

Mode Description Values

Time mode. This is the normal mode and displays the
time. It is the normal start up mode of the clock. If you do
nothing. The clock is in this mode.

In this mode a short press cycles through the values given

in “Time Display Mode”, but always returns to the
standard time display after 5 seconds.
Time and Date Settings
Note that the Time and Date settings will not be shown if the WiFi module is
active! Instead you jump straight to the next section.
Set Hours. Each short press will advance the hour. The
hours roll over back to zero after reaching 12 or 24
(depending on the 12/24 hours mode).
Set minutes. Each short press will advance the minute.
The minutes roll over back to 0 ffter reaching 59 minutes.
Each time you set the minute, the seconds is reset to 0.
Reset seconds. Each short press will reset the seconds
to 0, without changing the hours or minutes.
Set Day. Each short press will advance the day. The day
roll over back to one after reaching the maximum number
of days in the month.
Set Month. Each short press will advance the month. The
month roll over back to zero after reaching 12.
Set Year. Each short press will advance the year. The
year roll over back to 2015 after reaching 2099.

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 Mode Description Values
Basic Settings
“--:--:07” 12 or 24 hour time. The hours are displayed in 12 or 24 “1” = 12 hour
flashing hour mode. “0” = 24 hour
default: 0
“--:--:08” Blank leading “0”. Blank out the leading “0” from single “1” = blank
flashing digit hours. “0” = don't blank
default: 0
“--:--:09” Scroll back. Use the scroll back (rapid count down) effect “1” = enable
flashing when changing from “9” to “0”. “0” = disable
default: 0
“--:--:10” Fade. Use cross digit fading. “1” = enable
flashing “0” = disable
default: 0
“--:--:11” Date format. Set the format that the date is displayed in. “0” = YY.MM.DD
flashing “1” = MM.DD.YY
“2” = DD.MM.YY
default: 2
“--:--:12” Display blanking. To preserve the tubes, you can set the “0” = Don't blank
flashing display to be blanked. “1” = Weekends
“2” = Week days
Options: “3” = Always
• “0” = “never”: Don’t use blanking. “4” = Hours
• “1” = “Weekends”: Blank at weekends. “5” = H or
• “2” = “Week days”: Blank on week days. weekends
• “3” = “Always”: Always use blanking. “6” = H or week
• “4” = “Hours”: Blanks between the start and end days
hour every day. “7” = H on
• “5” = “Hours or weekends”: This blanks all day weekends
during the weekends and between the start and “8” = H on week
end hour every other day. days
• “6” = “Hours or week days”: This blanks all day default: 0
during the week days and between the start and
end hour every other day.
• “7” = “Hours on weekends”: This blanks between
the start and end hour on weekends.
• “8” = “Hours on week days”: This blanks between
the start and end hour on week days.
“--:--:13” Blanking Hour Start. Hour blanking will start at this Default: 00
flashing hour, on the days set by the Display Blanking Mode. If
the display blanking mode does not use hours, this
setting is not shown.
“--:--:14” Blanking Hour End. Hour blanking will end at this hour, Default: 07
flashing on the days set by the Display Blanking Mode. If the
display blanking mode does not use hours, this
setting is not shown.
“--:--:15” Anti Cathode Poisoning night suppression. The ACP “1” = don't do ACP
flashing which runs during the night lights the digits up at full when dimmed
brightness, and some people might find this disturbing. “0” = do ACP
Using this setting, you can stop ACP happening when the always
display is fully dimmed (e.g. at night). default: 0

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 Mode Description Values
Special Effects Settings
“--:--:16” Use LDR. If you disable the LDR, the tubes will always “1” = enable
flashing work at maximum brightness. “0” = disable
default: 1
“--:--:17” Blank Mode. You can set the tubes, the LEDs or both the “0” = tubes
flashing tubes and the LEDs to be blanked when in blanking mode. “1” = LEDs
“2” = tubes and
LEDs
default: 2
“--:--:18” Fade Speed Slower. Each short press will make the fade
flashing speed between digits slower. Default: 50
Max: 200
“--:--:19” Fade Speed Faster. Each short press will make the fade Min: 20
flashing speed between digits faster.
“--:--:20” Scroll-back Speed Slower. Each short press will make
flashing the “scroll-back” speed slower. Default: 4
Max: 40
“--:--:21” Scroll-back Speed Faster. Each short press will make Min: 1
flashing the “scroll-back” speed faster.
“--:--:22” Slots Mode. You can have the date shown automatically “1” = enable
flashing once per minute for about 5 seconds. “0” = disable
default: 1
PIR Settings
“--:--:23” PIR Timeout Longer. You can set the amount of time
flashing that the clock will wait before blanking the display, in
seconds. Default: 300
Max: 3600
“--:--:24” PIR Timeout Shorter. You can set the amount of time Min: 60
flashing that the clock will wait before blanking the display, in
seconds.
Back Light Settings
“--:--:25” Back Light Mode. This sets the mode of the back light. “0” = Fixed
flashing “1” = Pulse
“Fixed” mode will show the back light color according to “2” = Cycle
the Red, Green and Blue channel intensities. “3” = Fixed/Dim
“4” = Pulse/Dim
“Pulse” will make the intensity of the back light “pulse”, “5” = Cycle/Dim
brightening for a second and then darkening for a second, “6” = “Colortime”
but always respecting the relative intensities set by the “7” = “Colortime/
Red, Green and Blue channel intensities. Dim”
default: 0
“Cycle” fades the back lighting randomly, and does not
use the Red, Green and Blue channel intensities. These
settings will be skipped if cycle mode is selected.

“Colortime” sets the colour of the back light to match the

digit display value.

Options “0”, “1”, “2” and “6”, do not dim with the bulbs.
Options “3”, “4” and “5” do.

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 Mode Description Values
“--:--:26” Red Channel Intensity. Sets the maximum intensity of Default: 15
flashing the red channel back light. This will be dimmed according Max: 15
to the display dimming. If you are in cycle mode, this Min: 0
setting will be skipped.
“--:--:27” Green Channel Intensity. Sets the maximum intensity Default: 15
flashing of the green channel back light. This will be dimmed Max: 15
according to the display dimming. If you are in cycle Min: 0
mode, this setting will be skipped.
“--:--:28” Blue Channel Intensity. Sets the maximum intensity of Default: 15
flashing the blue channel back light. This will be dimmed Max: 15
according to the display dimming. If you are in cycle Min: 0
mode, this setting will be skipped.
“--:--:29” Cycle Speed. If you are in cycle mode, this controls the Default: 10
flashing speed at which the colors cycle. The higher the number, Max: 64
the slower the colors will change. If you are not in cycle Min: 4
mode, this setting will be skipped.
“--:--:30” Increase Minimum dim. This setting allows you to
flashing increase the minimum brightness you want to have when
the clock is fully dimmed. Default: 100
Max: 500
“--:--:31” Decrease Minimum dim. This setting allows you to Min: 100
flashing decrease the minimum brightness you want to have when
the clock is fully dimmed.
“--:--:32” Use PIR pull-up. If you want to use a 3V3 PIR module (or
“1” = 5V or no PIR
flashing perhaps a 3V3 microwave module), you might have to
“0” = 3V3 PIR
turn off the internal pull up resistor. This setting allows
default: 1
you to do that.

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 Mode Description Values
Information Settings – Not in online configuration
“--:--:33” Current case temperature. Show the current
flashing temperature inside the case (used as part of the
temperature compensation for the clock crystal). Note:
This will show 0 if the RTC is not installed.
“--:--:34” Clock version. Show the clock software version.
flashing
Digit Test. Will roll through all digits on all locations to
check that the display is healthy.

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Display Blanking Mode
During display blanking mode the tubes will be off depending on the display blanking
settings, but the LEDs will continue to work as usual, telling you that the clock is still
running.

You can configure the display to blank at weekends, during weekdays, always or never (the
default). You are also able to define hours during which to blank. For example, I have a
setting saying that the clock is blanked on weekdays between 7am and 4 pm, while I am
out at work. At weekends, the display runs all the time.

You are also able to override the blanking. Press the button while the clock is blanked, and
the display will come on again. Pressing the button will display the time for about a minute
(60 seconds, but the display is only blanked on the minute change).

If you press the button multiple times within 5 seconds, the blanking will stay off for longer
periods:

• 1 Press: 10 seconds
• 2 Presses: 1 hour
• 3 Presses: 4 hours

PIR / Microwave Motion Detector Blanking

If you have a PIR or microwave motion detector installed, you can have the clock blank
while there is no motion near it, and have it turn on only when someone is near the clock
to see it. This saves power and greatly extends tube life, especially if the clock is in a
location such as a bedroom.

If you connect a motion detector to the pin on the header (it is optional, and the clock
works correctly without it), the usual blanking mode will be disabled and the PIR blanking
mode will be used instead. If you want to use normal blanking mode, remove the detector
and restart the clock.

Tube Healing Mode

After a long period of time, tube filaments which are not often used (e.g. the “9” on the
tens of hours or minutes) can get dim, despite the ACP that is regularly done.

If you make a “long” press of the button (more than 8 seconds), the clock will enter
filament healing mode. All the power will be placed through a single filament of a single
digit to clean it. A short press will change the selected filament.

Another super-long press or cycling through all the filaments will return the clock to
normal.

Caution! Don't leave a single filament in this state for an extended period. It is a harsh
process and may damage the tube if you leave it in this mode for too long. Normally a few
seconds minutes will restore the cathode digit.

Normally you will not need to use this mode! It is only there for tubes that are already in
trouble. Don’t make a habit of using this mode!

14 | M N C 6 U s e r M a n u a l
Factory Reset
To reset the clock back to initial settings, hold down the button while powering on. The
LEDs will rapidly flash some random colours to signal that the reset has been done.

Everything will be reset back to the factory default state, and the clock will go back to
“First Start Mode”.

External power supply

The perfect voltage for the external power supply is between 9V DC and 12V DC.

The absolute maximum permissible is 16V DC. Higher voltages than this will surely
damage the clock.

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WiFi Module
There is a full manual available for the optional WiFi module. Here we just cover the most
important information.

Please see the document "WiFiTimeProviderInstructionManual" for full details, including

trouble shooting and resetting.

Helpful Video
There is a video available that explains the status meanings shown by the onboard blue
LED at

https://youtu.be/GAw4mSb_ya4

Set up
To set up the module, you will need a computer, phone or tablet with WiFi access. Any
device should work.

When you power on the module for the first time, it will blink the blue LED rapidly. This
means that the module is awaiting initial configuration, and is waiting for you to connect to
the module. In this mode, the module will open up a WiFi access point called “Nixie”:

Computer Android

This access point has the credentials:

Credential Value
SSID Nixie
Password SetMeUp!

Note: The password is case sensitive and has an explanation mark in it!

If the access point does not show up immediately, give

it a couple of minutes. Some devices take a few
minutes to perform a scan for new networks.

16 | M N C 6 U s e r M a n u a l
After a few seconds, you should be taken to the captive portal of the module
automatically, but if this does not happen , please see the next section which is about
troubleshooting:

Initial Connection Troubleshooting

The captive portal does not appear

Some browsers don’t manage the redirect to “captive portals” correctly, and if the you can
connect to the Module correctly, but the captive portal for the hotspot login does not
appear, you can also reach it by typing the address http://192.168.4.1 into the address bar
(or by clicking on the link).

Internet is not available

On some phones or tablets, you may get the message that “Internet is not available”, or
that you have to “Sign in to the network”. Accept these messages if they appear, at which
point you should see that the landing page appears as shown above.

It is normal that the Internet is not available on the WiFi module yet – we have to provide it
with the credentials to reach the Internet.

17 | M N C 6 U s e r M a n u a l
Configure the WiFi
When you see the landing page, press the “Configure WiFi” button, and you should see a
list of available WiFi networks (it might take a few seconds to come up if you have many
networks in your area).

Select the network you want and enter the password for it.

Note: The network you are using and the password for it will be remembered in your
module, and it will always try to reconnect to the same network.

If for any reason the module can no longer find the network (for example, you have
changed network or moved the clock), it will revert to set up mode when you re-power the
clock.

Note: If you want to continue to use the same network, just leave the clock as it is: It will
reconnect automatically when the network becomes available once more. It may take up
to an hour to reconnect, so please have a little patience.

Note: If for any reason you are not asked to go to the captive portal, and you are sure that
you are connected, you can also try going to http://192.168.4.1 instead. Some older
browsers are not able to detect the redirect.

When you have entered the information, the page should close and you will get a message
saying that the information has been saved.

If you have the module connected to the clock, you should get a time update after a
maximum of two minutes. The module will disconnect you from it.

Note: The time you get will be the time in Switzerland! Don’t worry, you can change this
right away!
18 | M N C 6 U s e r M a n u a l
Revisions:

V0001: 04Feb2021: Initial version

19 | M N C 6 U s e r M a n u a l