https://github.com/bstein2379/M5StickC-Plus-Nixie-clock

Credit goes to @macsbug for the original idea. I just made it easier for new programmers and kids by using the uiFlow IDE.

Hi,
I have the following question: The nixie clock works fine, but when I switch the m5sitcc off - the RTC does not continue to count. After switching on it shows the time shown exactly before switching off. Is that a software or hardware problem?

Same for my Stick: After powering on, the clock starts with the time the skech was compiled. Looks like the Time/Date is'nt read from the RTC.

Thanks for your helpful support Greetings skink

If I connect one of my M5Stack modules to the USB port, the M5 stack are displayed with "Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM6)" under the COM&LPT ports.

Should the M5Stick-C not display the same Silicon Labs CP210x ....?

Do I have to assume otherwise that it is defective!
Otherwise I would order one more !!

Greetings Skink

P.S. The display of the port doesn't change if I switch the M5Stick-c to USB mode or to Wifi-Cloud mode via UIFlow!

Greetings Reiner

P.S. Unfortunately I don't have the possibility to upload a video here. Too bad

Greetings Reiner

one thing to try is to download m5burner, wipe and install uiflow. the try re compiling and uploading in arduino.

is it only the nixi tube demo doing this?

the battery is full, even if I leave the M5Stick-C connected to the laptop, the Nixi clock disappears after a second and the screen stays black, but you can still see the backlight.
What I haven't understood about the manual so far is the following part:

Update Nixie Tube images

Execute the lcd-image-converter.exe include in this repository.

" Png or Jpg is read from File->Open Menu. The image will be displayed when loaded.
Select: Option->Conversions Menu. The top Preset: selects "Color R5G6B5".
Select: Image tap and select “8 bit” for Block size :. Press "OK".
The example "vfd_35x67_8.c" is output by "Convert ..." in File-Convert Menu. Know in advance the destination path. Tick: Import All Images You can also output all the images with “Convert ... all”.
Edit .c converted file. You will get an error as it is, so fix it with your editor.

" Change: "Static const uint8_t image_data_vfd_35x67 [4690] = {" at the top of the file deleting "image_data_" as result of "static const uint8_t vfd_35x67_8 [4690] = {".
At the bottom of delete de entire line: "const tImage vfd_35x67 = {image_data_vfd_35x67, 35, 67, 8};
Save the example "vfd_35x67_8".c***

When I load the file M5StickC-Nixie-tube_clock.ino into Arduino, both files vfd_1834.c and vfd_3567.c are loaded automatically.
Where or what should I change !
Don't understand this !
Greetings Reiner

Plug the stick into a wall charger and leave it for a few hours.

The program is now compiled and transferred.Thank you for the Link
Afterwards the time appears for one second when resetting the M5Stick-C, then the screen is black.

@ajb2k3 yes the lib is 1.22 which I use too!

Mh something I still do wrong.
greeting skink

#include <M5StickC.h>
#include "vfd_18x34.c"
#include "vfd_35x67.c"

RTC_TimeTypeDef RTC_TimeStruct;
RTC_DateTypeDef RTC_DateStruct;

int mode_ = 3; // 3:2Lines 2: 2Lines(YYMM), 1:1Line
const uint8_t*n[] = { // vfd font 18x34
  vfd_18x34_0,vfd_18x34_1,vfd_18x34_2,vfd_18x34_3,vfd_18x34_4,
  vfd_18x34_5,vfd_18x34_6,vfd_18x34_7,vfd_18x34_8,vfd_18x34_9
  };
const uint8_t*m[] = { // vfd font 35x67
  vfd_35x67_0,vfd_35x67_1,vfd_35x67_2,vfd_35x67_3,vfd_35x67_4,
  vfd_35x67_5,vfd_35x67_6,vfd_35x67_7,vfd_35x67_8,vfd_35x67_9
  };
const char *monthName[12] = {
  "Jan", "Feb", "Mar", "Apr", "May", "Jun",
  "Jul", "Aug", "Sep", "Oct", "Nov", "Dec"
};


void setup(void){ 
  M5.begin();
  pinMode(M5_BUTTON_HOME, INPUT);
  M5.Lcd.fillScreen(BLACK);
  M5.Lcd.setRotation(1);
  M5.Axp.ScreenBreath(10);             // 7-15
  // rtc setup start ---------------------------------------------
  String pt = (__DATE__ " " __TIME__); // PC DATE TIME READ
  //000000000011111111112  Read data
  //012345678901234567890
  //Jun  6 2019 07:20:41
  char m1[3]; int  m2; // Month conversion ( Jun to 6 )
  (pt.substring(0,3)).toCharArray(m1,4);
  for (int mx = 0; mx < 12; mx ++) {
    if (strcmp(m1, monthName[mx]) == 0){m2 = mx + 1; break;}
  }
  RTC_DateTypeDef DateStruct;         // Month, Date, Year 
  DateStruct.Month   = m2;
  DateStruct.Date    = (pt.substring(4, 6)).toInt();
  DateStruct.Year    = (pt.substring(7,11)).toInt();
  M5.Rtc.SetData(&DateStruct);
  RTC_TimeTypeDef TimeStruct;         // Hours, Minutes, Seconds 
  TimeStruct.Hours   = (pt.substring(12,14)).toInt();
  TimeStruct.Minutes = (pt.substring(15,17)).toInt();
  TimeStruct.Seconds = (pt.substring(18,20)).toInt();
  M5.Rtc.SetTime(&TimeStruct);
  // rtc setup end -----------------------------------------------
}
 
void loop(void){ 
  if(digitalRead(M5_BUTTON_HOME) == LOW){
    if (mode_ == 3){mode_ = 1;M5.Lcd.fillScreen(BLACK);return;}
    if (mode_ == 2){mode_ = 3;M5.Lcd.fillScreen(BLACK);return;}
    if (mode_ == 1){mode_ = 2;M5.Lcd.fillScreen(BLACK);return;}
  }
  if ( mode_ == 3 ){ vfd_3_line();}   // hh,mm,ss
  if ( mode_ == 2 ){ vfd_2_line();}   // yyyy,mm,dd,hh,mm,ss
  if ( mode_ == 1 ){ vfd_1_line();}   // mm,ss
  delay(500);
}
 
void vfd_3_line(){
  M5.Rtc.GetTime(&RTC_TimeStruct);
  M5.Rtc.GetData(&RTC_DateStruct);
  int h1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Hours / 10 );
  int h2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Hours - h1*10 );
  int i1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes / 10 );
  int i2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes - i1*10 );
  int s1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds / 10 );
  int s2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds - s1*10 );
  
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(  2,0,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[h1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 41,0,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[h2]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,22, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,48,ORANGE); 
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,21, YELLOW); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,47,YELLOW); 
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 83,0,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[i1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(121,0,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[i2]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(120,45,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[s1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(140,45,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[s2]);
  
  if ( s1 == 0 && s2 == 0 ){ fade();}
}

void vfd_2_line(){
  M5.Rtc.GetTime(&RTC_TimeStruct);
  M5.Rtc.GetData(&RTC_DateStruct);
  //Serial.printf("Data: %04d-%02d-%02d\n",RTC_DateStruct.Year,RTC_DateStruct.Month,RTC_DateStruct.Date);
  //Serial.printf("Week: %d\n",RTC_DateStruct.WeekDay);
  //Serial.printf("Time: %02d : %02d : %02d\n",RTC_TimeStruct.Hours,RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes,RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds);
  // Data: 2019-06-06
  // Week: 0
  // Time: 09 : 55 : 26
  int y1 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Year    / 1000 );
  int y2 = int((RTC_DateStruct.Year   - y1*1000 ) / 100 );
  int y3 = int((RTC_DateStruct.Year   - y1*1000 - y2*100 ) / 10 );
  int y4 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Year    - y1*1000 - y2*100 - y3*10 );
  int j1 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Month   / 10);
  int j2 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Month   - j1*10 );
  int d1 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Date    / 10 );
  int d2 = int(RTC_DateStruct.Date    - d1*10 );
  int h1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Hours   / 10) ;
  int h2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Hours   - h1*10 );
  int i1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes / 10 );
  int i2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes - i1*10 );
  int s1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds / 10 );
  int s2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds - s1*10 );
   
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(  0, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[y1]); 
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 19, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[y2]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 38, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[y3]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 57, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[y4]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 77,13, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 77,23,ORANGE);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 80, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[j1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 99, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[j2]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel(118,13, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel(119,23,ORANGE);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(120, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[d1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(140, 0,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[d2]);
                                                    
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 00,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[h1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 20,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[h2]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 48,54, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 48,64,ORANGE); 
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 60,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[i1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 80,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[i2]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel(108,54, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel(108,64,ORANGE);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(120,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[s1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(140,40,18,34, (uint16_t *)n[s2]);
 
  if ( i1 == 0 && i2 == 0 ){ fade();}
}
 
void vfd_1_line(){
  M5.Rtc.GetTime(&RTC_TimeStruct);
  M5.Rtc.GetData(&RTC_DateStruct);
  int i1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes / 10 );
  int i2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Minutes - i1*10 );
  int s1 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds / 10 );
  int s2 = int(RTC_TimeStruct.Seconds - s1*10 );
  
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(  2,6,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[i1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 41,6,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[i2]);
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,28, ORANGE); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,54,ORANGE); 
  M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,27, YELLOW); M5.Lcd.drawPixel( 79,53,YELLOW); 
  M5.Lcd.pushImage( 83,6,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[s1]);
  M5.Lcd.pushImage(121,6,35,67, (uint16_t *)m[s2]);
 
  if ( s1 == 0 && s2 == 0 ){ fade();}
}

void fade(){
  for (int i=7;i<16;i++){M5.Axp.ScreenBreath(i);delay(25);}
  for (int i=15;i>7;i--){M5.Axp.ScreenBreath(i);delay(25);}
  M5.Axp.ScreenBreath(12);
}

I'm using Arduino 1.8.9 to compile fresh from github.

Have you tried updating your M5Stack vfd Libraries?

it looks like you libs are 1.0.2 where as I am using 1.22

I am not sure, but did you this: (from: https://github.com/McOrts/M5StickC_Nixie_tube_Clock)

Update Nixie Tube images

Execute the lcd-image-converter.exe include in this repository.

" Png or Jpg is read from File->Open Menu. The image will be displayed when loaded.
Select: Option->Conversions Menu. The top Preset: selects "Color R5G6B5".
Select: Image tap and select “8 bit” for Block size :. Press "OK".
The example "vfd_35x67_8.c" is output by "Convert ..." in File-Convert Menu. Know in advance the destination path. Tick: Import All Images You can also output all the images with “Convert ... all”.
Edit .c converted file. You will get an error as it is, so fix it with your editor.

" Change: "Static const uint8_t image_data_vfd_35x67 [4690] = {" at the top of the file deleting "image_data_" as result of "static const uint8_t vfd_35x67_8 [4690] = {".
At the bottom of delete de entire line: "const tImage vfd_35x67 = {image_data_vfd_35x67, 35, 67, 8};
Save the example "vfd_35x67_8".c***

May be you could send us the complete compiler-error-listing again, as the board-selection is correct now.

(Btw: as I don't have a M5Stick-C, i can not check even my own suggestions!)

Grus skink

When you change something like adding library you need to restart arduino

Try upload speed 150000 as that was what mine was set to when I installed it.
BTW are you suing the provided black usb cable?

Grus skink

Your first screenshot says "Fehler beim Kompilieren für das Board ESP32 Pico Kit" and this board is also listed in the lower right corner of the screenshot.
I think, that you should first change the board-Type in the Arduino IDE under 'Tools/Werkzeuge' - 'Board/???' - .... to: 'M5Stick-C' and than try to compile again.
May be (and I hope) it helps ...

Greetings skink

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Print.h:27:0,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Stream.h:26,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:31,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:67,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Printable.h:25:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class Print;

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Printable.h:33:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class Printable

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Printable.h:34:1: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before '{' token

 {

 ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Stream.h:26:0,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:31,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:67,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Print.h:34:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class Print

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Print.h:35:1: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before '{' token

 {

 ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:31:0,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:67,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Stream.h:38:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class Stream: public Print

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\cores\esp32/Stream.h:38:13: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before ':' token

 class Stream: public Print

             ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:67:0,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:38:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class TwoWire: public Stream

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:38:14: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before ':' token

 class TwoWire: public Stream

              ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:136:8: error: unknown type name 'TwoWire'

 extern TwoWire Wire;

        ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\Wire\src/Wire.h:137:8: error: unknown type name 'TwoWire'

 extern TwoWire Wire1;

        ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:68:0,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\SPI\src/SPI.h:28:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class SPISettings

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\SPI\src/SPI.h:29:1: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before '{' token

 {

 ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:68:0,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\SPI\src/SPI.h:38:1: error: unknown type name 'class'

 class SPIClass

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\SPI\src/SPI.h:39:1: error: expected '=', ',', ';', 'asm' or '__attribute__' before '{' token

 {

 ^

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\SPI\src/SPI.h:86:8: error: unknown type name 'SPIClass'

 extern SPIClass SPI;

        ^

In file included from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5Display.h:5:0,

                 from C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\Documents\Arduino\libraries\M5StickC\src/M5StickC.h:69,

                 from sketch\vfd_18x34.c:3:

C:\Users\Reiner St�hler\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.2\libraries\FS\src/FS.h:24:18: fatal error: memory: No such file or directory

compilation terminated.

exit status 1
Fehler beim Kompilieren für das Board M5Stick-C.

Where are the libraries are must Install ??
greetings skink