Duo Nixie: Chainable EasyNixie Shield

Description

What is it?

DUO NIXIE is a shield compatible with EasyNixie, EasyVFD, and EasyPDLC display drivers, offering out-of-the-box support for the ESP32-C6-Bug and CH32-Ant boards. It also allows to easily connect other development boards too.

Why did you make it?

This shield was created to simplify the use of EasyNixie modules and make them even easier to daisy-chain!

What makes it special?

• Compatible with EasyNixie, EasyVFD, and EasyPDLC retro display drivers.
• Out-of-the-box compatibility with CH32-Ant and ESP32-C6-Bug.
• Works with other dev boards like Arduino Uno, ESP32 dev kits, and more.
• Can be powered via USB or the side connector.
• One MCU board can drive multiple modules.
• Each package includes a Duo Nixie board, headers, and 2 jumpers.

Usage

When you plug the MCU development board into the shield the pins are connected as follows PINOUT for ESP32-C6-BUG

• OUT_EN to Pin 3
• SHCP to Pin 2
• STCP to Pin 6
• DSIN to Pin 7

PINOUT for CH32-ANT

• OUT_EN to Pin PC7
• SHCP to Pin PC4
• STCP to Pin PC5
• DSIN to Pin PC6

Don’t forget to place the jumpers into the correct configuration.

• If powered by USB with MCU inserted (Master board): Place both jumpers in the top position. This connects the “MCU” with “DINN” pins and “USB, MCU power” with “NIX power.”
• If powered from the side header with data from the side header (Slave board): Place both jumpers in the bottom position. This connects the “DIN” with “DINN” pins and “5V_IN” with “NIX power.”
• If powered by USB but sending data from the side header (Power Master, Data Slave): Place the left jumper in the bottom position and the right jumper in the top position. This connects the “DIN” with “DINN” pins and “USB, MCU power” with “NIX power.”

The third configuration is useful when you connect more than two or three boards and need additional USB power.