VFD Clocks
VFD-based tube clocks
- Details
by Turbo_Hobby / eBay Starting at $69.99 (Currently not available)
User Turbo_Hobby has released a new clock based on the IV-18 VFD tube and it looks pretty slick. There has been other clocks based on this tube but no other ones, based on my recollection, include a calculator function. That's right, it is also a calculator. It seems fitting that the tube that was originally designed for calculators is finally being used for one in this vacuum tube Renaissance.
The production time on each one of these devices is significant. Each one of his creations is hand assembled and even the transformer is hand wound. In practice, this means that he is only able to produce about one per month. Given that, the starting price is pretty good. (I sure wouldn't want to hand solder the SMT components.)
Turbo_Hobby is also the same guy who created the single digit nixie clock that I really like. He doesn't have a lot of feedback on eBay yet but I would not hesitate to do business with him again.
From the auction:
This is a fully assembled IV-18 VFD clock, with alarm, date, temperature and calculator function! Largest 8-digit VFD tube from USSR, NOS. Please refer to the video below or contact me for detailed explanation. Assembled with high-quality SMD components, with calibrated accurate clock pulse generator. The clock can be powered by either mini USB port or a 3.5mm 5V DC power supply, and keeps time by a SMD lithium battery when powered off.
Features:
- 8 digit, 7 brightness level
- Displays time, date (DD.MM.YYYY), day (1-7) and temperature (°C and °F both) every 30 seconds.
- 3 alarms
- Dual input (mini USB or 3.5mm 5V DC wall adaptor)
- AC driven VFD provides uniform display
- Four buttons control (set, select, up and down)
- Made by high quality components
- Extensible 8-digit calculator (please purchase the matrix keyboard separately)
- Uses high quality components
- Philips RTC (Real-time Clock) - PCF8563
- Accurate SMD Clock Oscillator
- Murata (Japan) SMD Clock Trimmer Capacitor
- NEC 6312 Specific VFD Driver IC
- EPCOS SMD Tantalum Capacitors
- ATmel M32 Microprocessor
- SANYO SMD CR2025 Backup Battery
Links
- Details
by Kosbo.com
Price: 49.95 EUR
Kosbo has just come out with a new VFD clock that is different from just about any other on the market. Instead of using discreet 7-segment tubes like the IV-11, this used one single display in the shape of an analog clock.
I personally own one of his IV-11 clocks and I’m quite happy with it. The PCB board is professionally assembled and I like the design of it. This round VFD clock takes it to the next level – soon there will be an acrylic base to complete the device and based on the renderings provided, it looks quite attractive.
Once the base is released, I may order one and do a more formal review based on that. In the mean time, go over to Kosbo.com and check out the rest of the photos and the specs. If you already have one of these, please leave me a message in the comments. I'd really like to get your opinion on this device.
From the site:
- Newly designed VFD Round Clock - just arrived on the market
- Unique compact design - there is nothing similar on market yet
- Circuit boards diameter is the same as tube's one - just make 30mm hole for whole clock installation
- Based on the modern Vacuum Fluorescent Display, which has 60 two sizes handle segments for real analogue clock simulation
- Reliable, simple to connect and easy to use Clock
- High efficiency and low power consumption for energy saving
- Use it as a Clock on your office table or as Alarm Clock to wake you up in your bedroom
- Convenient Time display reading
- Easy control with only 2 buttons.
- Over current and mixed polarity protection.
- Integrated Backup battery to keep Clock running in case of power failure for up to 14 days.
Links
- Details
by Claus-Dieter Urbach / www.nixieclocks.de
Price: 120 EUR
I found this clock on Neonixie-l and I really liked the design. It is similar to the Ice Tube Clock from Adafruit but I personally like this design much more. It is housed in a acrylic cylinder and has a much more polished look and feel to it. If you're curious about the build, Claus has included the full manual and high resolution build photos to help you
From the site:
Technical details:
- 9-12 Volt AC 50 Hz or 60 Hz
- used tube: VFD IV-18
- current: 120 mA at 12 Volt
- Optional DCF77 Module clock shows time (mains driven) or DCF77 timing
- If in DCF77 mode, the clock shows the date for 5 seconds
What you get:
- kit with all parts needed (SMD parts already solder on the pcb)
- IV-18 VFD tube
- Power 9-12 Volt AC
- housing: Acrylic cylinder, 2 Acrylic side plates
- CNC milled and laser cut
- chrome plated connector
- silver wire
- wires for power supply socket and DCF77 socket
- stencils for mounting the tube correctly
- 2 x spacers for the 7 silver wires (pcb material milled)
- 2 sockets (power supply and DCF 77)
Links:
- Details
By ladyada.net
Price: $15 PCB Only / $65 Kit
For the open-source fans, I have a neat little project for you. It is an open soruce VFD clock called Ice Tube. It is deisgned by Ladyada.net and is based around the IV-18 VFD Tube. I don't yet have one of these added to my VFD database yet, but basically it is an eight digit, 7-segment VFD display contained in a single glass envelope. (It is projects like these that make me wish I had stayed an EE major...)
Description from Ladyada.net:
- Cool glowing blue tube with 8 digits and alarm on/off dot
- Adjustable brightness
- Alarm with volume adjust
- Precision watch crystal keeps time with 0.002% accuracy!
- Clear plastic enclosure protects clock from you and you from clock
- Battery backup will let the clock keep the time for up to 2 weeks without power
- Selectable 12h or 24h display
- Displays day and date
- 10 minute snoozer
- Integrated boost converter so it can run off of standard DC wall adapters, works in any country regardless of mains power
- Great for desk or night table use, the clock measures 4.9" x 2.9" x 1.3" (12.5cm x 7.4cm x 3.3cm)
- Completely open source hardware and software, ready to be hacked and modded!
Links:
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