NIX labs FL4 LED Filament Clock User's Guide

Introduction

Thanks for your NIX labs purchase! Our products are highly customisable yet easy to use straight out of the box, so please refer to the Quick Start Guide included in the box or downloaded from nixlabs.com.au/support for the fastest setup experience. This manual will guide you through our more advanced features, product specifications and device troubleshooting.

NIX labs Filament Clock models are based on linear LED filament arranged as a seven-segment digital display. Available in many colours, these efficient and low-voltage LED filaments make for a unique, easy-to-read timepiece.

Precautions

Key Features

• Large and bright, low-flicker seven-segment display with several colour options available
• High-accuracy calibrated clock with temperature compensation
• 5+ Day Supercapacitor time and date backup, settings are saved permanently
• Time, Date and Temperature displays with auto-cycling option
• Count-up and count-down timer
• Customisable RGB backlighting LEDs with seven presets, rainbow and random colour mode
• Night-time display and LED dimming with adjustable level and threshold
• Selectable button beep, 12/24-hour time format, °C/°F temperature display and optional leading zero
• USB Powered with web-based configuration application – no software download needed and compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS and Android. Many options are configurable using built-in buttons.
• Each day can have up to two configurable on/off times to maximise LED life and reduce power consumption.

Overview

Model and Version Identification

The NIX labs filament clock range includes the FL4 model at time of printing. The device’s product and version information can be found when using the web app by selecting the gear icon in the upper right and selecting Diagnostics from the menu. The circuit board is marked with the product’s model (eg: FL4) and major hardware revision (eg: Rev A) near the USB socket.

Powering Up

Check the box for the following items and remove them from their packaging:

• FL4 filament clock
• Australian power adaptor (or Multi-Region adaptor for international orders)
• Quick-start guide

For international orders supplied with the multi-region power adaptor, remove the AU plug from the power adaptor, and replace with the correct one for your region (US, EU or UK).

Plug the power adaptor’s USB-C end into the socket on the back of your clock either way around. Connect the power adaptor to the wall outlet and turn on - your clock will show 88:88 for a few seconds after which it is ready to use.

Other Power Sources

Your NIX labs device is powered by a standard USB-C connector, just like many mobile phones, cameras and other computer accessories. This means it can be powered from a number of sources such as computers, power banks and common USB chargers. The supplied voltage stability is important in ensuring maximum display brightness and should be as close to 4.9V to 5.1V as possible – using low quality USB cables and chargers may cause flickering or a dim display and is not recommended. The power supply included features a robust construction, high output capability and all the required regulatory safety approvals. For this reason, only operation with the supplied adaptor is recommended and warranted.

If using a power adaptor other than the NIX labs recommended unit, ensure it has a 5.0-5.1V output rated for at least 1A. Ensure any substitute power adaptor carries the compliance markings for your country, for example, the Australian RCM and/or safety approvals such as the UL mark. Do not use generic adaptors from eBay or similar, as poor quality units can be a fire and shock hazard, and could damage you or your clock.

When powering from a computer, connect directly to the computer’s USB port – avoid unpowered hubs or extension cables. You can use any good-quality charge & data USB-C to regular USB-A or USB-C to USB-C cable to connect your clock to your computer or phone/tablet.

The display brightness will adjust automatically according to the power output of the adaptor (or PC) used. If the display seems dim, despite being set to full brightness, or in the case of a flickering/flashing display, ensure the supplied adaptor is used. It is also possible to read the voltage using the web app’s diagnostics screen – the acceptable range is 4.7V to 5.3V.

Reading the Display

The back-side of the display has RGB back-lighting, which can be set to show a different colour based on the current “screen” (Time, Date or Temperature). The FL4 displays hours and minutes in a “digital” seven segment format, with one colon in between. Do not press on the LED filaments as they are not flexible and could be cracked from mishandling. The following section describes how to read the display in each of the Time, Date and Temperature modes.

Time Display

The FL4 shows time in an HH:MM format, which can be in 12 or 24-hour with or without a leading zero for hours less than 10. In this time screen, the colon separator can be set as solid on, solid off, fast flashing (0.5Hz) or slow flashing (1Hz). In the example below, the time is 12:47.

Date Display

The FL4 can show the date in a DD.MM or MM.DD format. In this date screen, the lower colon separator is lit to distinguish between the day and month. In the example below, the format has been set to DD.MM and so it is the 23rd of September (23/09).

Temperature Display

The FL4 shows temperature in a XX.X format in either °C or °F, with a displayed range of 0.0°C to 65.5°C (or equivalent in °F). In this temperature screen, the display is left-aligned and the lower colon separator is shown as a decimal point. In the example below, the temperature is 25.6°C.

Using the Built-In Buttons

Many parameters can be set using the three built-in buttons, so connection to the Web App for configuration is not required. When on the time screen, briefly pressing the ▲ button displays the date, and then temperature for a few seconds. If the date is not set (which can be done using the Web App) then only the temperature will be shown.

On any screen, briefly pressing the ▼ button cycles through the LED backlighting colour options for that screen. Using the Web App allows individual setting of the time, date and temperature screen backlighting colours – if they are set individually, then pressing the button only changes the colour for the current screen. If the colours are not set individually, or if LEDs-Cycling or LEDs-Off is selected, then the button setting applies to all screens. The built-in LED backlighting colour order is:

Setting the Time

Press the SET button briefly and the display will be changed to only show the hour digits. Press the ▲ and ▼ buttons to set the hour (always 24hr format) and SET to advance to the minutes to do the same. After adjusting the minutes, pressing SET again will save the new time and return to the normal time screen. When the new time is saved, the seconds are set to zero. If the setting menu is entered into but the hour and minute values were not changed, then there will be no change to the time (including seconds). If in the time setting mode and no button has been pressed for 30 seconds, the display will revert back to the normal time screen without saving.

Using the Counter/Timer

When your clock is showing the time, hold ▲ for 3 seconds to start an up-counter. To start a countdown timer, hold the ▼ button on the time screen, and the display will change to showing just the timer hours. Press the ▲ and ▼ buttons to set the hours, then press SET to advance to the minutes, and then SET again to start the timer. The maximum counter/timer value is 99 hours and 59 minutes. If the up-counter reaches 99:59, it will be cancelled automatically.

When a timer is running, the ▲ and ▼ buttons are disabled, briefly pressing SET will pause/resume, and holding SET for 3 seconds will cancel the timer. Every minute the current time will be shown for about 3 seconds. If you set a counter/timer, the display will stay on even if an on-off timer is set (USB sleep is not affected). A timer/counter will continue running through sleep, however unplugging your clock will cancel it.

Parameters Settings Menu

Hold the SET button for 3 seconds and the display will enter the parameters settings menu, which allows adjustment of the brightness, backlighting colour, 12/24hr time and other settings. The leftmost digit shows the setting number, and the rightmost digits show the current value – use the ▲ and ▼ buttons to adjust. Press the SET button briefly to advance to the next setting, and at the end of the settings list it will save all changes and return back to the normal time screen. If no button has been pressed for 30 seconds, the display will revert back to the normal time screen, saving any settings that were changed. The ordering and description of these options are shown below.

Online Configuration Application (Web App)

A key feature of your NIX labs clocks is ease of use, and as such, it is not necessary to connect your device to the PC for operation, and many options can be set, if desired, using the three built-in buttons. The web-based configuration application (“web app”) uses the WebUSB feature on Chromium-based browsers, such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge, on Windows, Mac, Linux and Android, and does not require any additional software or drivers to be installed.

To access the web app, simply connect the clock to your PC/Mac or Android device, open Chrome or Edge, and visit app.nixie.com.au, then click “Connect” and select your device from the popup list.

Below is a comparison of all the options that can be set using the buttons or web app.

Web App

Web App Introduction

The App can be found at app.nixie.com.au

Key features

• This Section is imported from the web app guide.
• We only need to edit this once

Maximising the Light Sensor Accuracy

Your filament clock has backlighting LEDs that can be set to a colour of your choice and can give a great ambience effect when the colour projects onto a wall behind the clock. If the backlighting LEDs are set to a high intensity, and/or the surface behind your clock is fairly reflective, the LEDs may influence the light sensor which could limit the effectiveness of the auto-brightness feature or may even prevent your clock from dimming during the night.

If this occurs, try moving your clock further away from the rear surface or reducing the LED intensity. You could also change to time-based night dimming or try adjusting the night-time light threshold.

Maximising Temperature Accuracy

NIX labs products feature sophisticated digital compensation to maximise clock accuracy over a wide operating temperature range. For best compensation performance, the temperature sensor is located inside the case.

Although this gives the best clock accuracy, the temperature readout feature uses a correction algorithm so that the temperature displayed to you is as close as possible to the ambient air temperature, rather than the temperature inside the case (which is usually about 2-3°C warmer). This correction gives best accuracy when your clock is located in free space, with relatively still air and after a 1-hour stabilisation time after turn-on or changing display brightness.

Settings and Time Backup

All settings are saved permanently to memory, which has a storage time typically greater than 10 years. During a power outage, the time and date continues to run off a supercapacitor, which has a run-time between 5 to 7 days. Keeping your clock plugged into power and avoiding prolonged exposure to high temperatures will maximise the supercapacitor’s life.

Troubleshooting

Before contacting support, please try the following troubleshooting steps. If problems persist, contact support@nixlabs.com.au.

Firmware Upgrade

Your NIX labs clock can be upgraded to the latest firmware version in less than one minute using the online Web App. Click the gear icon and select Firmware Update from the menu. From here you can see the changes and new features in the latest version, and start the upgrade if desired. When you click the upgrade button your clock will disconnect then reconnect in bootloader mode – you will have to select it again from the connection list popup. The display will turn off during the upgrade and a single LED will be lit to show the status – this is referred to as Bootloader Mode (refer to below table). The time/date and all of your settings are preserved during the update, which usually takes 30 seconds.

Note: during a successful firmware upgrade, the green LED will flash only very briefly. If the green LED stays lit, but the display does not light, then the firmware upgrade was corrupted. In this case, follow the steps below to manually enter the bootloader and try the firmware upgrade again.

If the firmware has become corrupt or behaviour is erratic, you can manually enter the bootloader and still connect to the Web App to do a firmware upgrade. To do this, unplug the clock then hold down all three buttons whilst plugging back in. A single LED should now be shown according to the table above. To exit the bootloader mode, simply disconnect then reconnect the USB cable.

Cleaning and Maintenance

If your device become dusty, unplug it and wipe with a clean, lightly dampened cloth. Do not use solvents on the case as they may cause damage. If insects or dust gets into your clock, unplug it and use a can of compressed air / air duster (available at computer stores) to blow out the material via the gaps around the base. Never insert objects into the gap in the enclosure as this could damage components or cause a short-circuit. Take care when handling since the LED filaments are not flexible and may break if bent or pressed on.

There are no single-use fuses on the circuit board, nor any batteries. There are not any hazardous voltages present within the product. Apart from general cleaning, no maintenance or periodic servicing is required.

Warranty and Repairs

All NIX labs products come standard with a back-to-base three year warranty, in addition to your rights under the Australian Consumer Law or other relevant local regulations. Repair and refurbishment services are also offered for products outside of warranty. If the product becomes damaged and a potential hazard arises, unplug the product from mains power immediately and contact NIX labs for support.

“Back-to-base” warranty means that the customer arranges for shipment back to NIX labs, and provided the warranty claim is valid, NIX labs arranges shipment back to the customer. As a first step, please see the Troubleshooting section. For all servicing and support needs, please contact NIX labs: support@nixlabs.com.au. We recommend keeping the product packaging for safe storage or if you need to send it back to NIX labs.

Australian Consumer Law

Our goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the Australian Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the goods repaired or replaced if the goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

Warranty and Liability Disclaimer

This limited warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials for a period of three years from date of purchase. During the warranty period, NIX labs will replace or repair, at its sole option, any defective NIX labs product returned to us. This warranty explicitly excludes products for which NIX labs has not received payment.

This warranty does not cover problems that result from abuse, accident, misuse, or problems with electrical power. It does not cover uses not in accordance with the instruction manual. It does not cover commercial use of the product, nor does it cover situations where the product was used in harsh environments including but not limited to, moving vehicles, in wet or moist areas, outdoor use, or in locations where elevated levels of sulphur, chlorine or other corrosive gasses are present.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, all express and implied warranties, including, but not limited to, any implied warranties and warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. NIX labs does not accept liability for incidental or consequential damages, or for any third-party claims for damages caused by use of the product. Through your continued use of the product, you agree to the terms of service made available at nixlabs.com.au/terms-of-service.

NIX labs makes every effort to ensure the information provided herein is accurate and complete, however, NIX labs does not guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of the information, including product specifications and characteristics. This information may change at any time. The availability and performance of NIX labs online services, including the web site (www.nixlabs.com.au) and the web app (app.nixie.com.au) is not guaranteed.

Specifications

NIX labs products are proudly designed and made in Brisbane, Australia using globally-sourced components.

	As these devices are manufactured using a leaded (Pb) process they must not be disposed of in regular garbage. Contact your local council for leaded e-waste disposal, or contact NIX labs to arrange for recycling free-of-charge.
	The material make-up of this device is wood (case), fiberglass (PCB), and metals including lead (components). This product does not contain a lithium battery.
	The power adaptor supplied with this product is a commercial 3rd party product which has been subjected to independent safety testing and regulatory approval, including the requirements of the Australian regulatory compliance mark, RCM (pictured). NIX labs products have been assessed against relevant electromagnetic compatibility and safety standards. For compliant, reliable and safe operation, only use the power adaptor supplied.