Nixie Clocks
Nixie-based tube clocks
Price: $245 USD
Michael Sangster emailed me a link to a cool IN-14 clock that he has for sale on Etsy. I wasn't familiar with his design before this but I like it. I think you'll like it too. Check it out:
Features:
- Optically pure Simax brand glass tubes for the case
- Time can be displayed in either 12 or 24-hour
- Temperature can optionally be displayed in either Deg F, C
- Nixie tube anti-cathode protection software
- Temperature compensated Quartz Crystal controlled timebase
- Auto display brightness settings
- Automatic Leap Year correction
Links
Well, master enclosure engineer, Michael Barile of BadNixie.com fame has put together a new clock called the Mini-Pan. It is a clock inspired by his PanPacific design. Like many of his other designs, this is based off of the IN-18 tube and powered by Jeff Thomas' NixiChron circuitry. The enclosure is a nice black walnut and brass design. I won't steal all of his content - learn more here: http://www.badnixie.com/_The_Mini-Pan.html
Photos
(Nice work, as usual!)
By Jürgen Grau / nixiekits.eu
€ 135 Completed (~$191 USD)
Okay, NixieKits.eu has a cool new little nixie clock out based on IN-16 tubes. I've reviewed to of this other clocks (the IN-12 and VFD clock) and love them both. This guys looks like he surpasses the build quality of the other two. It uses a sandwiched Plexiglas enclosure like the VFD clock and manages to fit all of the components in an incredibly small space. Looking for the perfect Christmas gift? I am pretty sure that this is the one.
Photos
Technical Data
- Tubes: IN-16 Nixie tubes, 13 mm digit height.
- RGB tubes lighting: brightness adjustable.
- Alarm: adjustable time, snooze and tone.
- Time format: 12- or 24 hour mode.
- Display: time / alarm / date / or alternating time - date.
- Effects: scrolling date, display fading, digit cycling in different styles.
- Power: 12VDC 350mA max.
- DC Power consumption: ca. 3.5VA (full tubes and tubes LED brightness).
- Timekeeping: for more than 20 min. with 300,000µF SuperCap in the event of mains failure.
- Time accuracy: internal 4 MHz crystal, adjustable with buttons for minimal deviation of app. 1 s per month.
- Dimension (w x h x d): app. 140 x 62 x 60 mm (incl. tubes)
- Weight: app. 150 g
- Power supply: 100...240V~ Power cord for EU/GB/US
Additional Highlights
- Selectable leading zero suppression between 0:00 and 10:00
- Selectable digit cross fading
- Automatic date display with selectable display frequency
- Scrolling date with adjustable speed
- Automatic digit cycling with various effects and selectable frequency to prevent cathode poisoning
- Adjustable standard display brightness
- Dimmer control with start time and duration to save tube's life
- Alarm with adjustable tone and snooze option
- Easy to set up with 3push buttons
Links
Most nixie clock use a microprocessor and a crystal to keep the time. Some use the mains 50/60Hz as a reference. Even fewer use ring counters (like the Nixie Neon clock) or dekatron counters for calculating the time. This clock - is purely electromechanical; I have never seen a nixie clock design like this before. That's right, this device uses mechanical stepper relays and a motor to calculate the time passed. The author cites mechanical wear as a problem, but I have to imagine that noise would be one other draw back. Don't misunderstand me - this thing is cool
Video