Recently, Pete launched his new Nixie QTC format for mid sized tubes. Let's take a look at what he's got:
To begin, QTC stands for "quick tube change." The QTC design is an interesting clock kit with the ability to easily replace tubes that previously were hard wired (such as an IN-8-2, Z5070M, or ZM1210). He does this by putting them on a mini PCB with a connector on the back so the tubes can easily be swapped out. Nixie tubes do eventually wear out and this is an elegant way to replace them. One of the advantages of having all of the tubes on mini PCBs is that the main board can support multiple types of tubes with no configuration.
The nixies are drive in a multiplexed display mode. The tubes are driven in a 3x2 multiplex and generate little noise and no perceivable flicker.
This device also supports GPS synchronization making it one of the most affordable clocks with this option.
The following features are standard for the kit version:
- 6 X (your choice) Nixie tubes, with 18mm digit height
- 6 X Tube cell components for mounting the tubes
- All transistors, resistors, capacitors, ICs, diodes
- 2 X Neon bulbs for hours:minutes:seconds separators
- Double sided, plated - through - hole PCB with red solder resist.
- Fully pre-programmed PIC microcontroller, with socket
- Piezo alarm sounder
- RGB LED Tube Lighting Pack
Kit with IN-8-2 Tubes:
http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=72
With IN-14 Tubes:
http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=71
Aluminum case:
http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_13&products_id=78
Other Features:
- Hours, Minutes and Seconds display
- 12 or 24 hour modes
- Uses a Quartz Crystal Oscillator as the timebase
- Programmable leading zero blanking
- Date display in either DD.MM.YY or MM.DD.YY format
- Programmable date display each minute
- Scrolling display of date or standard display
- Alarm, with programmable snooze period
- Optional DCF / WWVB / MSF / GPS synchronisation with status indicator LED
- Dedicated DST button to switch between DST and standard time
- Supercapacitor backup. Keeps time during short power outages
- Simple time setting using two buttons
- Programmable leading zero blanking
- Five programmable neon colon settings (Flashing AM/PM indication, illuminated AM/PM indication, both flashing, both on, both off)
- Seconds can be reset to zero to precisely the set time
- Programmable night mode - blanked or dimmed display to save tubes or prevent sleep disturbance
- Rear Indicator LEDs dim at night to prevent sleep disturbance
- Weekday aware ‘Master Blank’ function to turn off HV/ tubes on weekends or during working hours
- Separate modes for colon neons during night mode
- Standard, fading, or fading + scrollback display modes
- ‘Slot Machine’ cathode poisoning prevention routine
- Programmable RGB tube lighting – select YOUR favourite colour palette
- 729 colours possible. Have a different colour of your choice every hour, or autochanging colours
- Not AC frequency dependent – works in all countries
- All user preferences stored to non-volatile memory