Some hardware modifications to my Wemos clock

I thought I would share a couple of the minor modifications I have done to my Wemos clock.

First, I replaced the LM7805 with a cheap switching regulator. I found these on eBay - there are newer versions, just search on “replace LM7805”. I mainly did this mod because I have a small pile of 12v switching wall wart power supplies, and wanted to use them. The LM7805 was gettin hot with this high an input voltage. I had the switching regulator to replace the LM7805 from a prior project. They only less than US$2.

Second, implemented the change to J1 and J2 which Ian and I discussed in another thread. This change prevents the display board from being plugged in backwards.

Lastly, I reversed NE1 and R10 (put NE1 in R10s position and vice-versa) and did the same swap with NE2 and R12. I did this because the IN2 Nixie’s are so small, and I wanted the colon formed by the Neon bulbs to be closer. I also put some shrink tubing over the light dependent resistor between the neon tubes. This tubing blocks and light from either the neon bulbs or the adjacent Nixie’s from leaking into the LDR. The shrink tube is just slightly shorter than the grids in the Nixies.

I will probably put a little hot glue or shrink tube over the R10 and R12 resistors. By swapping them with their series neon bulbs, they are closer to the board edge and have 170v on them.

- Bill