NIXT VFD V11 Clock

[jbrodster63]

So i just tried powering up a clock i ordered for a little project to do at home. The clock powers up, all the tubes have 8's on them and the LED are light under the tubes. That's all it does. The remote does nothing. I see some of my remotes have a small LED on the front and when pressing the buttons on the remote it light up. Not the nixt remote i have tho? Not sure what to do from here? any help is appreciated.
Thank you
jimmy

 

[bertus]

Hello,

Are you building this project?
http://kevinrye.net/index_files/large_vfd_clock_part1.php

Bertus

 

[jbrodster63]

No, i did the iv-v11 vfd tube kit.

 

[bertus]

Hello,

Is this the kit?
https://www.tindie.com/products/Omnixie/iv11-vfd-tube-clock-diy-soldering-kit-or-assembled/

Are these the docs:
English:

• Circuit Schematic
• Assembly Instructions
• BOM
• User Manual

Bertus

 

[jbrodster63]

I think that is it?

 

[bertus]

Hello,

The one I show is not yours.
The one you have is on instructables:
https://www.instructables.com/IV-11-VFD-Tube-Clock-Assembly-Guide/

Bertus

 

[jbrodster63]

That's it. It has the booster circuit onboard. 600 volts.

 

[bertus]

Hello,

The documentation seems to be here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B3w2uIW46VgQWW1Bc1pRR3VKazg

Where did you get the info that there is a 600 Volts booster?
The schematic shows a boost converter of 27 Volts.

This shop shows the data of the IV-11:
https://tubes-store.com/product_info.php?products_id=32

Bertus

 

[jbrodster63]

I know I read that somewhere. I see that on that site you sent me to someone's board was stamped different than mine. His c11 was an 104pf and mine was a 100nf. I'm gonna test the out put of that circuit. It's 27 volts. I have no clue where to go from there. Question, the remote has a small bulb on it. Should that light up when ya press the button on it?

 

[Harald Kapp]

104pf and mine was a 100nf.

That's the same: 104 pF = 100000 pF = 100 nF

the remote has a small bulb on it. Should that light up when ya press the button on it?

If it is an infrared LED, you will not be able to see with the naked eye whether it is on or off. Loook at the LED through a digital camera. Most cameras have an IR filter but some of the IR light passes anyway and you can see at least the difference between an LED that is off or on.

 

[jbrodster63]

Wow, i can see it threw the camera. It seems to be getting power. Thanks to the both of you for trying to help. However, the clock is a $100.00 paper weight.

 

[Harald Kapp]

However, the clock is a $100.00 paper weight.

That sure can be remedied. Let's start with some simple checks:
#1: check all supply voltages.
#2: check all connections and solder joints, make sure no wire or solder bridges are present.
#3: compare inputs and outputs of the ULN2803. They should be inverted (! 27 V!).
#4: check the microcontroller. Is the clock generator operating? Does the µC send out serial data to the shift registers (U2 etc.)?