NixieGlucoseDisplay

Custom Nixie tube display that displays real-time blood sugar data from a continuous glucose monitor

Server Setup

Start by going to the server directory:

cd /path/to/data-server/

Ensure python is installed and has pip. To install the project dependencies, run:

pip install -r requirements.txt

In dexcom_data_server.py, populate the line:

dexcom = Dexcom(username="", password="")

with your Dexcom username and password, and run with:

python dexcom_data_server.py

This opens by default at port 5000. Opening the server domain + port in your browser should yield something like this:

142
steady
2025-09-12 10:34:46.807000-05:00

Arduino Setup

1. Install the Arduino IDE
2. Install required libraries:
   • ArduinoGraphics
   • Arduino_LED_Matrix
   • ArduinoHttpClient
   • WiFiS3
3. Fill out arduino_secrets.h.template and rename it to arduino_secrets.h
4. Upload the project to your Arduino. If everything went through, it should show a Wi-Fi connection sequence and try to pull from your server. View at 115200 baud when connected to serial to check for debug info

Hardware Setup

Components

• Arduino UNO R4 WiFi
• Nixie Tube Driver Board for 4 Nixie tubes – Omnixie
• NCH6300HV Nixie HV Power Module DC-DC booster – Omnixie
• 3x DGM01 Tubes – INIXIE
• 12V 1A DC Power Adapter – Omnixie
• 3x 9.1kΩ resistors
• 33x 1mm Nixie tube pins
• Handful male to female jumper wires
• Some normal breadboarding wire
• A case of some kind

Setup

• Solder the included headers onto everything
• Solder the resistors to the driver board
• Connect the driver board to your tubes with the pins
• Connect the driver board to the Arduino with the jumper wires:

  NTDB        Arduino Pins
--------------------------------
  GND         GND
  DATA        11
  OE          10
  STCP        8
  SHCP        12
  ON/OFF      6 (HVEnable)

• Set the DC booster to 170V (use a multimeter)
• Use normal wire to connect the driver board to the DC booster
• Power the driver board directly with its barrel jack
• You can power the Arduino from the driver board with the vin header, or directly via USB, barrel jack, etc.
• When everything is connected, the tubes should display your blood sugar and fetch your new readings automatically