Richard, The phenomena you describe seems to be quite interesting, and after thinking though the possibilities I have several ideas for you to try:
The 2 most likely scenarios I can come up with would be: - Switching noise entering from the enable pin to the microcontroller. Try leaving the enable pin unconnected, and the power supply will stay on. If you find that this alleviates the problem, you can use an optocoupler to drive this pin and keep it galvanically isolated from your microcontroller. Or: - Noise or large voltage ripple present on the 5V rail. I'm not sure which 12 volt power supply you are using to drive the whole system, but the introduction of a large switching power supply could be taxing your 12 volt source and/or introducing unexpected noise. If you have a scope, see if you can probe the 12 volt line and the 5 volt line with the NCH device installed, and then with the new power supply installed. If you see a lot of noise or higher ripple with one versus the other, try to smooth things out with some general purpose 220 or 470uF electrolytic caps placed close to your circuits across power lines. I would also recommend using a linear regulator for powering logic such as your micro and the smartsocket controllers. You can pre-regulate 12 volts down to 8-6 volts, then use a high quality LDO (low dropout regulator) to provide clean power to your logic circuits. Switching power supplies can be very noisy and cause glitches just by output ripple present in normal operation. My suspicion is that the larger switching currents of the big supply may be inducing some noise on the low voltage side of your circuits, and seeing as the 5 volts is running directly off of a switching supply this noise is making it's way to the logic and causing glitches. You already tried moving the power supply away from the smart sockets and observed the same glitches, so I cannot imagine EMI/RFI emitted from the device itself is the issue. Of course, let me know what your findings are. We will solve this! On Mon, Nov 18, 2019, 1:48 AM Richard Scales <rich...@scalesweb.co.uk> wrote: > Just got to my desk after working away and have looked at the PSU's. > > First test - connect to 12V and set the output to 170V all good. > > My clock build has ten ZM1350 smart sockets - though only using six at the > moment - it has been running reliably for 1 month or so using one of the > NCH6100HV power supplies to generate the 170V. > > I removed the NCH device, mounted the new supply, connected GND and 12V on > one side, then the 170V Output and the output control on the other side and > fired the thing up - all looked good. > > I have now had it running for almost an hour now and I am seeing some odd > behaviour on the smart sockets in as much as occasionally some characters > are corrupted or the seconds misses a single change (ie, displays 1 then > 3,4) other characters display garbage and some transition effects change. > > I have checked all voltages on the Smart Sockets and right now - the 5V is > at 4.995V and the 170V is at 169.9V so I would expect that to be OK for the > logic and the display. > > The display blanking (processor disabling of the 170V output) is working > perfectly - I am just getting corruption. > > I have NOT connected GND on the output side as it appears to be the same > connection as GND on the input side. > > I have a small BUCk converter generating the 5V for the logic and that > line appears to be clean. > > I have mounted the new HV supply on one side of a perspex panel on 15mm > standoffs, the smart sockets are on the other side of the panel with the > same 15mm standoffs. > > Is there any risk that some form of RFI is causing the issue that I am > seeing? > > I removed the PSU from its mount and moved it away from the smart sockets > - around 20cm and the symptoms remained. > > If I put the NCH6100HV back in the circuit then order is restored. > > Could you suggest where I should be looking next? > > > > > > > On Tuesday, 12 November 2019 19:16:05 UTC, Kevin A. wrote: >> >> Glad to hear it finally arrived! Looking forward to your feedback and >> seeing it in action on the ZM1350 project. >> >> On Tue, Nov 12, 2019, 1:46 PM Richard Scales <ric...@scalesweb.co.uk> >> wrote: >> >>> Hello! >>> >>> After nearly a month after ordering - I am informed that the eagle has >>> landed! (I am informed by Parcelforce in the UK that it is a busy time of >>> year!). I am working away all week but my wife sent me stage by stage >>> pictures of the package being unwrapped! >>> >>> moved the I am back Monday and will get it in to play on my ZM1350 > development setup - Thank you for all your help. I look forward to > reporting on progress. > >> >>> >>> On Monday, 4 November 2019 15:42:35 UTC, Kevin A. wrote: >>>> >>>> So now the true reason for the delay reveals itself! Again, sorry for >>>> that; a customs check just seems to be the luck of the draw. >>>> >>>> On Mon, Nov 4, 2019, 10:11 AM Richard Scales <ric...@scalesweb.co.uk> >>>> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hello, yes, I just got the same notifications and now Parcelforce in >>>>> the UK seem to be accepting ownership! >>>>> My friend in HK is very pleased with his and has been sending me >>>>> pictures of it all afternoon which has been fairly depressing - until now! >>>>> Lets see how long it takes Parcelforce to work out how much to fleece >>>>> me for import charges! >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> On Monday, 4 November 2019 14:58:43 UTC, Kevin A. wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>> Richard, >>>>>> >>>>>> Good news, looks like there was a new scan today. Package should be >>>>>> on it's way! >>>>>> >>>>>> On Fri, Nov 1, 2019, 10:25 AM Richard Scales <scal...@gmail.com> >>>>>> wrote: >>>>>> >>>>>>> All understood, thank you for your help. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Sent from my Huawei phone >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -------- Original Message -------- >>>>>>> Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Homebrew high voltage nixie power >>>>>>> supply >>>>>>> From: "Kevin A." >>>>>>> To: neonixie-l >>>>>>> CC: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Richard, >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Just letting you know that I also reached out to parcelforce in the >>>>>>> UK and submitted an inquiry with them as well. If none of the requests >>>>>>> I've >>>>>>> submitted turns up a result in one week's time (by November 8th, 2019), >>>>>>> I'll be sending you a new package via. DHL. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thank you for your patience, >>>>>>> Kevin >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 4:07 PM Richard Scales < >>>>>>> ric...@scalesweb.co.uk> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I got my friend in Hongkong to place an order from the second batch >>>>>>> and his have just arrived in HK, I suspect he might be seeing his >>>>>>> before I >>>>>>> see mine! >>>>>>> >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Thursday, 31 October 2019 00:36:44 UTC, Kevin A. wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> After a lengthy phone conversation with USPS representatives, they >>>>>>> submitted an internal request for an update on the package. Hopefully >>>>>>> it is >>>>>>> still in transit to you, and maybe forewent some local scans in the UK. >>>>>>> I >>>>>>> shipped another unit to Australia the same week and the tracking history >>>>>>> looks similarly sparse, with the package arriving just today. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Of course, I'll keep you posted. Thanks. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 7:32 PM Kevin A. < >>>>>>> ka...@scarletmail.rutgers.edu> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I see that on my end as well. I do not send packages to the UK >>>>>>> often, so I can't comment on whether this is normal or not. I did just >>>>>>> submit a formal search request for this package through the USPS website >>>>>>> and I'm calling USPS now. As it is after business hours, if I cannot >>>>>>> reach >>>>>>> anyone tonight I'll place another call tomorrow early in the day. >>>>>>> >>>>>>> I'll keep you posted with any updates. Worst case, if it is >>>>>>> determined to be completely lost I can recover the insured value and >>>>>>> send >>>>>>> you another package (with a different carrier). >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thanks, >>>>>>> Kevin >>>>>>> >>>>>>> On Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 7:13 PM Richard Scales <ric...@scalesweb.co.uk> >>>>>>> wrote: >>>>>>> >>>>>>> Thank you. Oddly USPS has it as having left London Heathrow on the >>>>>>> 24th, no updates since. The UK handler Parcel force confirmed that it >>>>>>> has >>>>>>> not been scanned into their network ☹️ >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/17eda207-03b3-4ad0-b178-d187660e2b27%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/87edb651-2e62-4207-821b-a1baebd4fe4e%40googlegroups.com >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/87edb651-2e62-4207-821b-a1baebd4fe4e%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to a topic in >>>>>>> the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this topic, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/topic/neonixie-l/uqpK9r37Frw/unsubscribe >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and all its topics, send an email to >>>>>>> neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CALcVLK%2BTLtwzkvnSPkxqkLM031eHwwz2NTT_25LQAeLsKVjsGg%40mail.gmail.com >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CALcVLK%2BTLtwzkvnSPkxqkLM031eHwwz2NTT_25LQAeLsKVjsGg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>>> -- >>>>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, >>>>>>> send an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>>>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/4oohsg7ppnixpuhf0j-vsdyg8i3p6fxk0xqp8-tpjmwp-wss8p8-unlirc-1y5lreromxghnc76urc021mc-pm54gm-gmsnk4t6sxs8igo5r6v3c820-u2bx4p-gwnhro-yutxdv-uk4onqhfnsqs-doak3i.1572618301317%40email.android.com >>>>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/4oohsg7ppnixpuhf0j-vsdyg8i3p6fxk0xqp8-tpjmwp-wss8p8-unlirc-1y5lreromxghnc76urc021mc-pm54gm-gmsnk4t6sxs8igo5r6v3c820-u2bx4p-gwnhro-yutxdv-uk4onqhfnsqs-doak3i.1572618301317%40email.android.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>>>> . >>>>>>> >>>>>> -- >>>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>>>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>>> an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>>>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/506e82e7-46e5-4d98-8cbd-4007ebed530c%40googlegroups.com >>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/506e82e7-46e5-4d98-8cbd-4007ebed530c%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>>> . >>>>> >>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "neonixie-l" group. >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>> an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com. >>> To view this discussion on the web, visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/b137f92c-b07b-43f8-b6e8-26015b93a47f%40googlegroups.com >>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/b137f92c-b07b-43f8-b6e8-26015b93a47f%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>> . >>> >> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "neonixie-l" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to neonixie-l+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/7e12999d-ff30-4100-8526-8504ad6ac453%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/7e12999d-ff30-4100-8526-8504ad6ac453%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. 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