Nixie Clocks
Nixie-based tube clocks
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I'm experimenting with a new format - video reviews. The first one in the series is the Nocrotec V600 nixie clock. I've had the chance to play with one of these for a little over a week and I love it. Watch my video review below:
Links
Video URL: http://vimeo.com/12503532
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Cosmodog's Nixie Numechron
$125 to $400
Cosmodog has a great design for sale. It is a six digit board that can support either side view or end vie tubes. The clock first went on sale in 1998 which means that this is one of the first nixie clocks for sale. For $125 you can purchase the board alone and for $400, you can get the board, a nice enclosure and what appear to be a nice set of IN-18 tubes. Be sure to stop by his site and check it out.
Andrew is working on a new design for the clock which should be available in the next few weeks. The new revision will support a built-in universal power supply to eliminate the need for an external transformer. (I will update this post once they are for sale.)
Also worth noting, a high end furniture and home decorating company, BDDW, has incorporated his end-view design in to a few of their clocks as well. Be sure to check out their info at the bottom of the page.
Links
Images and text used with permission.
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Sputnix / Greg Powell Sputnixie.com
(No longer for sale)
I found this great design and wanted to share it with the community. I really like this design - it is clean and intuitive. Besides, it has a cool name :) It is based on Russian IN-12b tubes that are directly driven via 8 shift register. There are six brightness levels and auto dimming based on time is used to prolong the life of the tubes. One other notable feature is that it also has a connection for an RS-232 interface that allows the user to upgrade the firmware without too much difficulty. Setting the clock is accomplished using an 38KHz universal remote. Other notable features are an on board temperature sensor and a light sensor.
Sadly, this device is no longer for sale. I really like this design and it is one of the cleanest end-view designs that I've seen. Greg does include schematics and firmware for download for those adventurous enough to build their own.
Features:
- Digits fade.
- 12/24hr display mode (leading zero blanking in 12hr mode).
- Boost topology switch mode power supply.
- Real time clock with capacitor backup.
- Configuration settings saved during power-down.
- Firmware is boot upgradable.
- RS232 compatible interface.
- Simple IR remote control user interface.
- Ambient light detection for auto brightness adjust.
- 6-level brightness adjustment in both light and dark ambient (36 configurations).
- Auto on/off with input for PIR motion sensor.
- Dry contact relay output.
- Temperature display.
- Alarm with buzzer/relay activation.
- 15 minute snooze
- Momentary display of alarm set time.
- Momentary display of firmware version.
- Tubes are socketed for ease of replacement.
Images and text used with permission. Copyright Greg Powell / Sputnixie.com
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Nixie Watch Redux
by Jeff Thomas / $495
Jeff has a new clock that he shared with the world on the DWF.nu forum. It is a new design for a nixie watch based on Burroughs B4998 tubes. It will include a rechargeable lithium ion which should last about 3 months. The device is 41mm wide, 19mm tall, 32mm deep and weighs about 28 grams (not including enclosure). Lastly, it will include a changing cradle for the watch.
This device also has some other uncommon features. The watch is activated by a wrist snap-shake using a magnetized ball rolling in a steel barrel. Any unintended activations are kept to a minimum by an R/C timer circuit. Setting the time is done with a rod magnet which activates a micro reed switches placed on each end of the logic section. All of this is built using CMOS logic components; just like the original LED watches of the 70's. "I didn't cheat and use a microprocessor. Although I did use seven very small TSSOP packaged IC's."
This production run is limited to 15 watches so if you want one, contact him asap :)
(images and description used with permission.)
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