The DCF77 offset option was cancelled to make the tubes saving routine possible.
Tube saving mode – switch off the tubes to increase their lifetimeThe software version 6.0 can now switch off the tubes at a selected time to increase their lifetime and save power. You can decide what time you want to switch the tubes off by connecting different pins from the pic processor to GND.
Here is an overview of the possible switch-off times:
1. no pins connected - default mode – tubes on all time
2. tubes off from 00:00 to 01:59 - Pin 21 (RB0) of pic processor to GND (Pin 8)
3. tubes off from 02:00 to 04:59 - Pin 22 (RB1) of pic processor to GND (Pin 8)
4. tubes off from 05:00 to 06:59 - Pin 23 (RB2) of pic processor to GND (Pin 8)
Example 1: If you want to switch off the tubes from 00:00 to 06:59 then connect pin 21 and pin 22 and pin 23 to GND (pin 8 of the pic processor). Example 2: If you want to switch off the tubes from 02:00 to 06:59 then connect Pin 22 and Pin 23 to GND and you are done.
In the following picture the tubes are switched off from 02:00 to 04:59 (see wire from Pin 8 (GND) to Pin 22 (RB1). You can also use switches so it can be changed if you wish. The maximum switch off time goes from 00:00 to 06:59.
The tube save mode works in all display modes (2 tubes / 4 tubes / 6 tubes), in DCF77 mode and in 12 / 24 hr mode! The picture shows the pcb from the bottom with the pic processor in the centre.
