Thanks for the help, I see the issue now. Everything is working except for upperseconds is not fading for whatever reason.

Code:

// SN74141 : Truth Table
//D C B A #
//L,L,L,L 0
//L,L,L,H 1
//L,L,H,L 2
//L,L,H,H 3
//L,H,L,L 4
//L,H,L,H 5
//L,H,H,L 6
//L,H,H,H 7
//H,L,L,L 8
//H,L,L,H 9

int ledPin_0_a = 2;                
int ledPin_0_b = 3;
int ledPin_0_c = 4;
int ledPin_0_d = 5;

int ledPin_1_a = 6;                
int ledPin_1_b = 7;
int ledPin_1_c = 8;
int ledPin_1_d = 9;

int ledPin_a_1 = 10;
int ledPin_a_2 = 11;
int ledPin_a_3 = 12;
int ledPin_a_4 = 13;

void setup()
{
  pinMode(ledPin_0_a, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_0_b, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_0_c, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_0_d, OUTPUT);    
  
  pinMode(ledPin_1_a, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_1_b, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_1_c, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_1_d, OUTPUT);      
  
  pinMode(ledPin_a_1, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_a_2, OUTPUT);      
  pinMode(ledPin_a_3, OUTPUT);    
 
  // NOTE:
  // Grounding on virtual pins 14 and 15 (analog pins 0 and 1) will set the Hour and Mins.
  pinMode( 14, INPUT ); // set the vertual pin 14 (pin 0 on the analog inputs )
  digitalWrite(14, HIGH); // set pin 14 as a pull up resistor.

  pinMode( 15, INPUT ); // set the vertual pin 15 (pin 1 on the analog inputs )
  digitalWrite(15, HIGH); // set pin 15 as a pull up resistor.
 
}

void SetSN74141Chips( int num2, int num1 )
{
  int a,b,c,d;
  
  // set defaults.
  a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0; // will display a zero.
  
  // Load the a,b,c,d.. to send to the SN74141 IC (1)
  switch( num1 )
  {
    case 0: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 1: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 2: a=0;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 3: a=1;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 4: a=0;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 5: a=1;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 6: a=0;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 7: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 8: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    case 9: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    default: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=1;
    break;
  }  
  
  // Write to output pins.
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_d, d);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_c, c);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_b, b);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_a, a);

  // Load the a,b,c,d.. to send to the SN74141 IC (2)
  switch( num2 )
  {
    case 0: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 1: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 2: a=0;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 3: a=1;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 4: a=0;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 5: a=1;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 6: a=0;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 7: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 8: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    case 9: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    default: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=1;
    break;
  }
  
  // Write to output pins
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_d, d);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_c, c);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_b, b);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_a, a);
}

float fadeIn = 8.0f;
float fadeOut = 8.0f;
float fadeMax = 8.0f;
float fadeStep = 0.4f;
int NumberArray[6]={0,0,0,0,0,0};
int currNumberArray[6]={0,0,0,0,0,0};
float NumberArrayFadeInValue[6]={0.0f,0.0f,0.0f,0.0f,0.0f,0.0f};
float NumberArrayFadeOutValue[6]={8.0f,8.0f,8.0f,8.0f,8.0f,8.0f};

void DisplayFadeNumberString()
{
 
  // Anode channel 1 - numerals 0,3
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[0],currNumberArray[3]);  
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_1, HIGH);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[0]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[0],NumberArray[3]);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[0]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_1, LOW);
  
  // Anode channel 2 - numerals 1,4
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[1],currNumberArray[4]);  
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_2, HIGH);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[1]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[1],NumberArray[4]);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[1]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_2, LOW);
  
   // Anode channel 3 - numerals 2,5
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[2],currNumberArray[5]);  
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_3, HIGH);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[2]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[2],NumberArray[5]);  
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[2]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_3, LOW);
  
  // Loop thru and update all the arrays, and fades.
  for( int i = 0 ; i < 6 ; i ++ )
  {
    if( NumberArray[i] != currNumberArray[i] )
    {
      NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] += fadeStep;
      NumberArrayFadeOutValue[i] -= fadeStep;
  
      if( NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] >= fadeMax )
      {
        NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] = 0.0f;
        NumberArrayFadeOutValue[i] = fadeMax;
        currNumberArray[i] = NumberArray[i];
      }
    }
  }  
}

// Defines
long MINS = 60;         // 60 Seconds in a Min.
long HOURS = 60 * MINS; // 60 Mins in an hour.
long DAYS = 12 * HOURS; // 24 Hours in a day. > Note: change the 24 to a 12 for non millitary time.

long runTime = 0;       // Time from when we started.

// default time sets. clock will start at 12:34:00.  This is so we can count the correct order of tubes.
long clockHourSet = 12;
long clockMinSet  = 34;

int HourButtonPressed = false;
int MinButtonPressed = false;

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
void loop()    
{
  // Get milliseconds.
  runTime = millis();
  
  int hourInput = digitalRead(14);  
  int minInput  = digitalRead(15);

  if( hourInput == 0 )
    HourButtonPressed = true;
  if( minInput == 0 )
    MinButtonPressed = true;
  
  if( HourButtonPressed == true && hourInput == 1 )
  {
    clockHourSet++;
    HourButtonPressed = false;
  }
  
  if( MinButtonPressed == true && minInput == 1 )
  {
    clockMinSet++;
    MinButtonPressed = false;
  }

  // Get time in seconds.
  long time = (runTime) / 1000; //////////change this value to speed up or slow down the clock
  
  // Set time based on offset..
  // long hbump = 60*60*clockHourSet;
  long hbump = 60*60*clockHourSet;
  long mbump = 60*clockMinSet;
  time += mbump + hbump;

  // Convert time to days,hours,mins,seconds
  long days  = time / DAYS;    time -= days  * DAYS;
  long hours = time / HOURS;   time -= hours * HOURS;
  long minutes  = time / MINS;    time -= minutes  * MINS;
  long seconds  = time;

  // Get the high and low order values for hours,min,seconds.
  int lowerHours = hours % 10;
  int upperHours = hours - lowerHours;
  int lowerMins = minutes % 10;
  int upperMins = minutes - lowerMins;
  int lowerSeconds = seconds % 10;
  int upperSeconds = seconds - lowerSeconds;
  if( upperSeconds >= 10 )   upperSeconds = upperSeconds / 10;
  if( upperMins >= 10 )      upperMins = upperMins / 10;
  if( upperHours >= 10 )     upperHours = upperHours / 10;
  
  if( upperHours == 0 && lowerHours == 0 )
  {
    upperHours = 1;
    lowerHours = 2;
  }

  // Fill in the Number array used to display on the tubes.
  
  NumberArray[5] = upperHours;
  NumberArray[1] = lowerHours;
  NumberArray[3] = upperMins;
  NumberArray[2] = lowerMins;
  NumberArray[4] = upperSeconds;  
  NumberArray[0] = lowerSeconds;

  // Display.
  DisplayFadeNumberString();
}

The only other thing I changed was if the clock is displaying 0 0 for the hours, I want it to say 12.

Code:

 if( upperHours == 0 && lowerHours == 0 )
  {
    upperHours = 1;
    lowerHours = 2;
  }

This seems to work fine.

Images: http://imgur.com/a/c79QS
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lG1PW85CdcQ

Been trying to adapt this into a six bulb setup. Here's what I have thus far (not working yet)

Code:

// fading transitions sketch for 4-tube board with default connections.
// based on 6-tube sketch by Emblazed
// 4-tube-itized by Dave Blevins 16 June 2011
// this shows minutes and seconds only

// SN74141 : Truth Table

//D C B A #
//L,L,L,L 0
//L,L,L,H 1
//L,L,H,L 2
//L,L,H,H 3
//L,H,L,L 4
//L,H,L,H 5
//L,H,H,L 6
//L,H,H,H 7
//H,L,L,L 8
//H,L,L,H 9

int ledPin_0_a = 2;               
int ledPin_0_b = 3;
int ledPin_0_c = 4;
int ledPin_0_d = 5;

int ledPin_1_a = 6;               
int ledPin_1_b = 7;
int ledPin_1_c = 8;
int ledPin_1_d = 9;

int ledPin_a_1 = 10;
int ledPin_a_2 = 11;
int ledPin_a_3 = 12;

void setup()
{
  pinMode(ledPin_0_a, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_0_b, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_0_c, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_0_d, OUTPUT);   
 
  pinMode(ledPin_1_a, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_1_b, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_1_c, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_1_d, OUTPUT);     
 
  pinMode(ledPin_a_1, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_a_2, OUTPUT);     
  pinMode(ledPin_a_3, OUTPUT);     
 
  // NOTE:
  // Grounding on virtual pins 14 and 15 (analog pins 0 and 1) will set the Hour and Mins.

  pinMode( 14, INPUT ); // set the vertual pin 14 (pin 0 on the analog inputs )
  digitalWrite(14, HIGH); // set pin 14 as a pull up resistor.

  pinMode( 15, INPUT ); // set the vertual pin 15 (pin 1 on the analog inputs )
  digitalWrite(15, HIGH); // set pin 15 as a pull up resistor.
 
}

void SetSN74141Chips( int num2, int num1 )

{
  int a,b,c,d;
 
  // set defaults.
  a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0; // will display a zero.
 
  // Load the a,b,c,d.. to send to the SN74141 IC (1)
  switch( num1 )
  {
    case 0: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 1: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 2: a=0;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 3: a=1;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 4: a=0;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 5: a=1;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 6: a=0;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 7: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 8: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    case 9: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    default: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=1;

    break;
  } 
 
  // Write to output pins.
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_d, d);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_c, c);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_b, b);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_0_a, a);

  // Load the a,b,c,d.. to send to the SN74141 IC (2)
  switch( num2 )
  {
    case 0: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 1: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 2: a=0;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 3: a=1;b=1;c=0;d=0;break;
    case 4: a=0;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 5: a=1;b=0;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 6: a=0;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 7: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=0;break;
    case 8: a=0;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    case 9: a=1;b=0;c=0;d=1;break;
    default: a=1;b=1;c=1;d=1;

    break;
  }
 
  // Write to output pins
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_d, d);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_c, c);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_b, b);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_1_a, a);
}

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
// DisplayFadeNumberString

// Use: passing an array that is 4 elements long will display numbers
//      on a 4 nixie bulb setup.
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
float fadeIn = 0.0;
float fadeOut = 8.0;
float fadeMax = 8.0;
float fadeStep = 0.3;  // tweak this to adjust speed of fade. Smaller number = slower fade
int NumberArray[4]={0,0,0,0};
int currNumberArray[6]={0,0,0,0,0,0};
float NumberArrayFadeInValue[6]={fadeIn,fadeIn,fadeIn,fadeIn,fadeIn,fadeIn};
float NumberArrayFadeOutValue[6]={fadeOut,fadeOut,fadeOut,fadeOut,fadeOut,fadeOut,};

void DisplayFadeNumberString()
{
  // Nixie setup..
 
  // NOTE: If any of the bulbs need to blend then it will
  // be in time with the seconds bulbs. because any change only happens
  // on a one second interval.
 
  // 1 (0,3)
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[0],currNumberArray[3]);   
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_1, HIGH);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[0]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[0],NumberArray[3]);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[0]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_1, LOW);
 
  // 2 (1,2)
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[1],currNumberArray[2]);   
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_2, HIGH);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[1]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[1],NumberArray[2]);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[1]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_2, LOW);

  // 3 (4,5)
  SetSN74141Chips(currNumberArray[4],currNumberArray[5]);   
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_3, HIGH);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeOutValue[1]);
  SetSN74141Chips(NumberArray[4],NumberArray[5]);   
  delay(NumberArrayFadeInValue[1]);
  digitalWrite(ledPin_a_3, LOW);
 
 
  // Loop thru and update all the arrays, and fades.
  for( int i = 0 ; i < 6 ; i ++ )
  {
    if( NumberArray[i] != currNumberArray[i] )
    {
      NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] += fadeStep;
      NumberArrayFadeOutValue[i] -= fadeStep;
 
      if( NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] >= fadeMax )
      {
        NumberArrayFadeInValue[i] = 0.0f;
        NumberArrayFadeOutValue[i] = fadeMax;
        currNumberArray[i] = NumberArray[i];

      }
    }
  } 
}

// Defines
long MINS = 60;         // 60 Seconds in a Min.
long HOURS = 60 * MINS; // 60 Mins in an hour.
long DAYS = 24 * HOURS; // 24 Hours in a day. > Note: change the 24 to a 12 for non millitary time.


long runTime = 0;       // Time from when we started.

// default time sets. clock will start at 12:59:00
long clockHourSet = 12;
long clockMinSet  = 59;


int HourButtonPressed = false;
int MinButtonPressed = false;

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//
//
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
void loop()     
{
  // Get milliseconds.
  runTime = millis();
 
  int hourInput = digitalRead(14); 
  int minInput  = digitalRead(15);

  if( hourInput == 0 )
    HourButtonPressed = true;
  if( minInput == 0 )
    MinButtonPressed = true;
 
  if( HourButtonPressed == true && hourInput == 1 )
  {
    clockHourSet++;
    HourButtonPressed = false;
  }
 
  if( MinButtonPressed == true && minInput == 1 )
  {
    clockMinSet++;
    MinButtonPressed = false;
  }

  // Get time in seconds.
  long time = (runTime) / 1000;
 
  // Set time based on offset..
  // long hbump = 60*60*clockHourSet;
  long hbump = 60*60*clockHourSet;
  long mbump = 60*clockMinSet;
  time += mbump + hbump;

  // Convert time to days,hours,mins,seconds
  long days  = time / DAYS;    time -= days  * DAYS;
  long hours = time / HOURS;   time -= hours * HOURS;
  long minutes  = time / MINS;    time -= minutes  * MINS;
  long seconds  = time;

  // Get the high and low order values for hours,min,seconds.
  int lowerHours = hours % 10;
  int upperHours = hours - lowerHours;
  int lowerMins = minutes % 10;
  int upperMins = minutes - lowerMins;
  int lowerSeconds = seconds % 10;
  int upperSeconds = seconds - lowerSeconds;
  if( upperSeconds >= 10 )   upperSeconds = upperSeconds / 10;
  if( upperMins >= 10 )      upperMins = upperMins / 10;
  if( upperHours >= 10 )     upperHours = upperHours / 10;

  // Fill in the Number array used to display on the tubes.
  NumberArray[3] = upperMins;
  NumberArray[2] = lowerMins;
  NumberArray[1] = upperSeconds;
  NumberArray[0] = lowerSeconds;

  // Display.
  DisplayFadeNumberString();
}

Any help would be appreciated.

This is the layout I used for my clock. I had to change this in the code:

Code:

  int NumberArray[6]={0,0,0,0,0,0};
  NumberArray[2] = upperHours;
  NumberArray[4] = lowerHours;
  NumberArray[0] = upperMins;
  NumberArray[5] = lowerMins;
  NumberArray[1] = upperSeconds;
  NumberArray[3] = lowerSeconds;

Been trying to get this to work with no luck. Using the code straight from here only lights up 2 bulbs and they flicker a lot.

I tried adding the code you changed to the old code and it pretty much does the same thing, not sure - I'm not a coder

In the original code I had, I needed to change two things to get my digits to work correctly:

Code:

// SN74141 (1)
int ledPin_0_a = 2;                
int ledPin_0_b = 3;
int ledPin_0_c = 4;
int ledPin_0_d = 5;
// SN74141 (2)
int ledPin_1_a = 6;                
int ledPin_1_b = 7;
int ledPin_1_c = 8;
int ledPin_1_d = 9;

// anod pins
int ledPin_a_1 = 10;
int ledPin_a_2 = 11;
int ledPin_a_3 = 12;

and

Code:

 int NumberArray[6]={0,0,0,0,0,0};
  NumberArray[2] = upperHours;
  NumberArray[4] = lowerHours;
  NumberArray[0] = upperMins;
  NumberArray[5] = lowerMins;
  NumberArray[1] = upperSeconds;
  NumberArray[3] = lowerSeconds;

Thought I would post an update.

Here is my enclosure: pretty much finished.






I went out to my local radioshack and bought a bunch of switches/toggles for the alarm section. I'm not very good with coding, or the arduino, but I think I can get most of it working. Just a couple gray areas I have no idea how to get going.

Emblazed, would you be willing to help me out on here, or via email? I can post what I have figured out thus far.

I ordered a set of those dupont connectors, they work great for a few connections but they don't do very well fitting 20 or so connections side by side on the cathode pins. You could probably make it work by shaving a little of the sides of them, but it still might be tight.

I ended up using a very heavily modified IDE cable for my clock.

Yeah, good idea. I tested continuity between pins 2 and 5 and what do you know, the meter lit up. What a headache

I'm not sure if I have a bad tube or something is messed up in the wiring or one of the chips. I have one tube that will always display the digit 2 and 5 at the same time no matter what socket it's in. If I plug it into another socket, other tubes will start doing the same thing. If that tube is left out, all the other ones work great.

I thought about using it for the first digit for the hours so it would only display 0 and 1, but doing that, it makes some of the other tubes display 2 and 5 at the same time. I guess I don't really understand how this could happen even if the tube was bad, how it would "short" out other tubes.

Thought maybe someone else has run into this before?

Some more updates

Three down, three more to go.


So many wires!


my "workstation"

Here is what I have so far:

Laying out all the parts:




Beginning to solder the board up:


Almost done:


Yay!



Now that I know it works, time to wire all 6 up and start designing some sort of enclosure for it.

Not the greatest work in the world, but this is my first time soldering a board up like this. Not shown is the transistor I put on backward and had a hell of a time getting back off!

I just ordered all the parts needed to make my nixie clock, pretty excited. I'm still very much in the learning stage (with electronics and the arduino) but this should be a pretty fun build.

There are two things I would like to add to my build and if possible, maybe someone could help me out with this.

The first thing I want to add is crossfade between the tubes (I will be using six of the SZ-8s) as seen here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xo2KDvvWuFY

The second would be a tad more difficult. I haven't put the kit together yet but I am hoping there are enough ports left open to add an alarm clock function. One button to view/set the alarm. Two buttons to change hour/min. One switch to turn the whole function on and off, possibly a snooze function as well. To those who know about this than I do: is this feasible? I think it would add a ton of 'actual' functionality to it other than being a pretty $150 clock.

Edit: The more I think about it, a dimmer would be pretty nice too for bedroom use, not sure if that's possible though.