63 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
63 lines
2.1 KiB
Markdown
# NixiESP12
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## Intro
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Yet another Nixie clock project!
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Some highlights:
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* K155ID1 driven IN-12A or IN-12B tubes for hour, minute, seconds
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* BS107 driven IN-6 or similar neon bulbs for digit separation
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* 74HC595 for serial to parallel conversion
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* ESP8266 for time synchronization
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* LM1117-3.3V and LM1117-5V regulators for logic power supply
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* No tube step up converter on-board, pin headers for connecting
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<a href="http://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-5V-12V-to-170V-DC-High-Voltage-NIXIE-Power-Supply-Module-PSU-NIXIE-TUBE-ERA-/322511957768?hash=item4b1735ef08">third party power supply</a>
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* KiCad design with 3D models from http://miniwatt.info
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Some KiCad screenshots:
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<img src="nixiesp.png"/>
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Photos:
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<img src="photo.jpg"/>
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## Install
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Boot ESP8266 with program pin held low and flash MicroPython:
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```bash
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wget http://micropython.org/resources/firmware/esp8266-20170612-v1.9.1.bin
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esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 460800 erase_flash
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esptool.py --port /dev/ttyUSB0 --baud 460800 write_flash --flash_size=detect 0 esp8266-20170612-v1.9.1.bin
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```
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Upload main.py and boot.py and adjust network configuration in boot.py accordingly:
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```bash
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ampy -p /dev/ttyUSB0 put boot.py
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ampy -p /dev/ttyUSB0 put main.py
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```
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## Assembly tips
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Some cheap 1117V regulators don't offer short circuit protection
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and once blown pass through input voltage,
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make sure you get ones with protection otherwise you can fry ESP8266
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or serial-to-parallel chips.
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Once the PCB is milled or etched make sure you clean the 180V rails thoroughly,
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that voltage is high enough to cross gaps of 0.1mm.
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Once that happens it burns a thick dark trace into the fiberglass of PCB and
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it's pretty tricky to clean up.
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Use the bench power supply to gradually power up the device,
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at 9V set current limiter to 0.5A max.
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5V linear regulator can be omitted and bypassed if 5V wall adapter is always used.
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Otherwise 6V-12V wall adapters are suitable,
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Thincan DBE60 9V wall adapters are pretty much perfect for the job.
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Note that the higher the input voltage the more power is dissipated
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as heat on the 3.3V and 5V voltage regulators, thus at 12V the device gets really hot.
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