Nocrotec X2000 Numitron Clock

Nocrotec
Numiclock X2000
Numitron Tube Clock

Designed by Dieter Wächter
last update and finished: May-30-2010

Back to Dieter's Nixie Tube Page
Email to Dieter

Here you can watch a review video which shows the X2000 clock from Brian Stuckey (TubeClockdb.com).

Here you will find the complete review from Brian

This clock-project bases on the 'Numitron' - tubes technology.

What are Numitrons?
Numitrons are neat display devices similar to Nixie tubes, but they were designed for low voltage use. Numitrons are basically incandescent displays, using filaments for the segments.
Basically, a seven-segment readout consists of seven narrow illuminated bars arranged to form a rectangular figure 8. As the associated logic circuits determine the numerical value to be displayed, the appropriate bars are illuminated to form the numeral on the display plane.
Numitrons were popular for a short period in the 1970s. They give a nice warm, friendly glow.

Here, at my Numitron-tube page you can find lots of pictures and descriptions of Numitrons.
Here you can read an article about Numitron tubes - It appeared in March 1970 issue of Popular Electronics magazine. (Credits to Dan Veeneman )

Here an example of Numitron tubes:

Downloads:
You'll find the matching datasheets in the datasheet archive.
Search for this type and its substitutes there.

Step 1: Designing the schematic

After studying the datasheets and some tests on the display I made some test circuits and finally came to this schematic:

As you can see a very simple design.
TLC5921DAP drivers, a simple step-down converter as 4.7V power supply.
ATMega, and finally the new Dallas RTC (DS1337C ) which has an on-board crystal (I like that all-in-one chips)
I think there is nothing to explain in this schematic.

Step 2: Designing the board

I used standard B9A-sockets for the tubes.
This is the result:

Step 3: Assembling the board

There were no difficulties with the schematic.
Everything worked fine, although it was the first prototype.

SMD-soldering:

THT soldering:

The top:

Step 4: Assembling the board with different tubes.
this clock works with different Numitron tubes.
These are:
DA2000 (DA-2000)
DR2000 (DR-2000)
DA2010 (DA-2010)
DR2010 (DR-2010)

There were tubes with flat top, and with round top.

The board with flat top Numitrons:
TUBES OFF

FIRST TEST RUN

The board with round top Numitrons:
TUBES OFF

FIRST TEST RUN

Step 5: Designing the case

I made some designs and came to this one (3D-animation only)
It is the same as I used for my BL-100, Sylvia, Futura and GE-100 clock.

12/24h mode
Date in configuration DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY
Leading zero suppression: The leading zero can be blanked or shown
Cross fading: different modes to fade the digits from one number to the next
Alarm clock
Power Down Mode: tubes and supply can be totally switched off for a user programmed period in order to save energy and increase life expectancy of the tubes
Time is battery buffered when no line power is available; battery will last for more than 10 years
User settings are always stored