Nixie watch madness

[David Forbes]

Well, I'm back at it, designing the ladies' Nixie watch. Someone's got
to do it.

I have some samples of this battery, or an equivalent thereof...

http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Polymer-Li-Ion-Battery-3.7V-70mAh-%28401325%29-With-PCB-%283V-Cut-off%29-and-Bare-Leads.HTML

It seems to be able to power my two digit Nixie watch with a 0.25V droop
at full load of 200mA. I calculate a two week lifetime at 50 views per
day. I'll be experimenting with it on my wrist.

I also have been playing with the use of standard low-profile 2mm
dual-row socket strips for socketing the Nixie tubes. Samtec CLT is the
ticket - only 2mm tall. Sockets are way better than no sockets.

Now to see if I can fit it all together into an impossibly small package.

--
David Forbes, Tucson AZ

[Mich...@aol.com]

That's the same battery that is in the air hogs plane.   I loved those planes.  Too bad the batteries puff after only a couple months of solid use.   Definitely get your value out of them though.

 

I like the idea of a woman watch and/or a smaller males watch.  Can't say my wife would wear it, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't buy it.  :)    I wear mine just because she doesn't like it.

 

Funny, my CR2 died finally.  ordered on ebay for $3.  Got an empty envelope - uuhhg.  Actually, half torn open from the postal service.   Seller sending another one today.   Damn, I miss wearing that watch already.

 

Michail

[Cobra007]

Very original David, I love that idea, a ladies nixie watch, really
great! A true world premier for sure. Why didn't I come up with that
comes to my mind?

That rechargeable battery is a great choice, you can put it between
the tubes or just on 1 side. I hope you can squeeze everything in a
tiny watch case, that's a bit of a challenge I guess. You also need
some form of cover for the charge socket so that it is more or less
water resistant. Another thing that comes to mind is that the crystal
needs to be acetone resistant (just in case a lady accidentally drips
some nail polish remover on top of it).

Where are you going to put the buttons for setting the time? I used to
have a blind uncle, he had a great watch that had a crystal with a
tiny lock and it was fixed to a hinge. He could lift the crystal and
feel the hands with his fingers to tell the time, great invention!

If you only lose like .25V, I wouldn't worry about the 200mA that is
draws during a reading, and like you said, 2 weeks @ 50 readings a day
is really good (compared to for example a cell phone).

Electronics is all about having fun! Well, and the occasional fumes
from burned components :-)

Michel

On Feb 3, 4:43 pm, Micha...@aol.com wrote:
> That's the same battery that is in the air hogs plane.   I loved  those
> planes.  Too bad the batteries puff after only a couple months of  solid use.
> Definitely get your value out of them though.
>
> I like the idea of a woman watch and/or a smaller males watch.  Can't  say
> my wife would wear it, but it doesn't mean I wouldn't buy it.   :)    I wear
> mine just because she doesn't like it.
>
> Funny, my CR2 died finally.  ordered on ebay for $3.  Got an  empty
> envelope - uuhhg.  Actually, half torn open from the postal  service.   Seller
> sending another one today.   Damn, I miss  wearing that watch already.
>
> Michail
>
> In a message dated 2/2/2012 8:34:26 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,
>

[JohnK]

Seeing as lots of fashion addictees will do *anything*, how about forgetting
the package size and just get them surgically implanted? Could split it up
into modules too.

John K.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Forbes" <dfo...@dakotacom.net>
To: "neonixie-l" <neoni...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, February 03, 2012 3:04 PM
Subject: [neonixie-l] Nixie watch madness

> Well, I'm back at it, designing the ladies' Nixie watch. Someone's got to
> do it.
>

...clip.....

[Jeff Thomas]

On Feb 2, 9:34 pm, David Forbes <dfor...@dakotacom.net> wrote:
> Well, I'm back at it, designing the ladies' Nixie watch. Someone's got
> to do it.
>
> I have some samples of this battery, or an equivalent thereof...
>

> http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Polymer-Li-Ion-Battery-3.7V...

>
> It seems to be able to power my two digit Nixie watch with a 0.25V droop
> at full load of 200mA. I calculate a two week lifetime at 50 views per
> day. I'll be experimenting with it on my wrist.
>
> I also have been playing with the use of standard low-profile 2mm
> dual-row socket strips for socketing the Nixie tubes. Samtec CLT is the
> ticket - only 2mm tall. Sockets are way better than no sockets.
>
> Now to see if I can fit it all together into an impossibly small package.
>
> --
> David Forbes, Tucson AZ

Where have I seen that before?
Oh yeah:
http://www.amug.org/~jthomas/watch2.html
The LiPo cell is my energy source for the redux watch electronics.
There is much more to cell cycle management than you can see in those
images.

Don't package it a sealed enclosure assembly like your last one.

Careful HV *and* LV cutoff threshold, with thermal scaling, is a
design responsibility that my former employer didn't address seriously
enough. Separator defects through contamination are a serious
consideration with any prismatic Lithium Polymer chemistry choice.
http://tinyurl.com/7zpn4lu

My oldest son and I enjoy flying high performance micro heli's using
that particular cell. And even though they appear perfectly fine at
preflight, we've had two cells puff unexpectedly, and one ignited
midway through it's flight to destroy the airframe. Not something you
could tolerate occurring on someone's wrist.

Please be careful.

Regards, Jeff

[Lucky]

On this subject do you think these are a good idea?

http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Protection-circuit-Module-%28-PCB-%29-for-3.7V-Li-Polymer-Battery-%288.5A-limit%29-PCB1S.html

I have a nixie clock circuit that uses a LiPo or Li-Ion as backup but
unsure of its charging capabilities

Dave.

On 3 Feb, 12:53, Jeff Thomas <nixich...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Feb 2, 9:34 pm, David Forbes <dfor...@dakotacom.net> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Well, I'm back at it, designing the ladies' Nixie watch. Someone's got
> > to do it.
>
> > I have some samples of this battery, or an equivalent thereof...
>
> >http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Polymer-Li-Ion-Battery-3.7V...
>
> > It seems to be able to power my two digit Nixie watch with a 0.25V droop
> > at full load of 200mA. I calculate a two week lifetime at 50 views per
> > day. I'll be experimenting with it on my wrist.
>
> > I also have been playing with the use of standard low-profile 2mm
> > dual-row socket strips for socketing the Nixie tubes. Samtec CLT is the
> > ticket - only 2mm tall. Sockets are way better than no sockets.
>
> > Now to see if I can fit it all together into an impossibly small package.
>
> > --
> > David Forbes, Tucson AZ
>
> Where have I seen that before?
> Oh yeah:http://www.amug.org/~jthomas/watch2.html
> The LiPo cell is my energy source for the redux watch electronics.
> There is much more to cell cycle management than you can see in those
> images.
>
> Don't package it a sealed enclosure assembly like your last one.
>
> Careful HV *and* LV cutoff threshold, with thermal scaling, is a
> design responsibility that my former employer didn't address seriously
> enough. Separator defects through contamination are a serious

> consideration with any prismatic Lithium Polymer chemistry choice.http://tinyurl.com/7zpn4lu

[Mefistofelix]

Would love a Nixie watch - who is currently making them please ?

 

M

[J Forbes]

As far as I know, David of Cathode Corner is the only one making and
selling nixie watches

http://www.cathodecorner.com/nixiewatch/index.html

[David Forbes]

On 2/3/12 8:42 AM, Lucky wrote:
> On this subject do you think these are a good idea?
>
> http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Protection-circuit-Module-%28-PCB-%29-for-3.7V-Li-Polymer-Battery-%288.5A-limit%29-PCB1S.html
>
> I have a nixie clock circuit that uses a LiPo or Li-Ion as backup but
> unsure of its charging capabilities
>
> Dave.
>

It's best to buy a cell with the protection circuit already installed,
such as the one that I linked to.

As Jeff points out, it's also a very good idea to provide a second level
of protection, preferably with a lower Vmax to ensure that the cell
doesn't get overcharged, or even 100% charged. 4.1V is recommended as
the maximum charging voltage per cell for longer life. And a charge
cutoff timer is essential as well.

That's a curious thing about LiPos - they live a lot longer when left
partially charged than when left fully charged.

[Lucky]

That's a case of 'Doh' my fault did not fully read the description
closely enough cheers David.
I understand (Although never knew about) your points of a lower Vmax
charge/ less than 100%, so...
any circuit suggestions anyone?

On 3 Feb, 16:51, David Forbes <dfor...@dakotacom.net> wrote:
> On 2/3/12 8:42 AM, Lucky wrote:
>
> > On this subject do you think these are a good idea?
>

> >http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Protection-circuit-Module-%...

[Jeff Thomas]

On Feb 3, 8:42 am, Lucky <dave.lucky.po...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On this subject do you think these are a good idea?
>

> http://www.all-battery.com/browseproducts/Protection-circuit-Module-%...

>
> I have a nixie clock circuit that uses a LiPo or Li-Ion as backup but
> unsure of its charging capabilities
>
> Dave.

Hello Dave,
Using a backup power source based on Lithium polymer technology is a
good choice if you need a lot of power/energy contained in a small
package, and you do not intend to commercially market the item.

Some secondary cells include a "management module" that functions as a
sort of rudimentary BMS, limiting the EOC (End of Charge) voltage.
Others may include a LV (Low Voltage) cutoff to gate the output when
the cell charge is nearly depleted. Depending on how elaborate you
want to go, there are integrated products being offered by half a
dozen US manufacturers to deliver a comprehensive histogram of the
cell performance throughout it's service life.
If you happen to choose a Cobalt doped LiPo chemistry, the peak EOC
voltage is 4.2 @25 degrees C. The safe operation voltage is typically
between 3.7 and 3.0, referenced to a 1c discharge. Manganese doping is
scaled a little lower at 3.7v EOC, and operation between 3.3 and 2.8
volts.

You'll a charge voltage source the same as the EOC, with current that
does not exceed a 1c rate. Small switching wall warts for use as
simple chargers are broadly offered at these termination voltages.

Being a long time RC hobby flyer, the advancements in both cathode/
anode and electrolyte technology has been stunning over the last five
years. Besides the cathode materials depositions, the separator
thickness has shrank to micron scaling. Discharge rates of 50x the
rated Ah capacity are commonplace now.

Almost all of these cells and related support electronics are
manufactured in China.

Using this type of cell chemistry outside of the intended hobby RC
market comes with a lot of responsibility.
Cells rated for human-exposure applications are significantly more
expensive than the Chinese made hobby market products, and the choices
are limited for a reason. Manufacturers who have integrated these
cells into their hand held (or wrist worn) products have considerable
engineering hours conducted on volumes of cells to gauge their
performance and safety within the intended application. Along with
full traceability of the components and manufacturing process cycle.
There are still a lot of trade secrets involved in this technology.

You assume all risks by selling a product that includes Chinese hobby
market LiPo cells integrated into the design. If you are a PE with an
insurance policy, you'd need to check with your underwriter to see if
your coverage spans this type of exposure.

Regards, Jeff

[Lucky]

Thanks for that comprehensive answer Jeff.
I think the risks are too high (for me) to produce anything using
these cells atm although I'm sure they will vastly improve over time,
they've come such along way already I know how they have made electric
powered aircraft so feasible with power and flight times only dreamed
of a few years ago. (I quite fancy getting into RC helicopters &/or
something turbine powered later this year)

[Mich...@aol.com]

I got 7 or 8 helis.

 

I now fancy a turbine powered as well.

 

I don't mind spending $1000 on a heli, but $8000 is a little to much for me.

 

Michail

[Cobra007]

Humm, if these cells are more like a time bomb, I would think twice
(or maybe three times) before using that in an RC aircraft....

Re: Mefistofelix:

Both David and myself are working on a new version of the nixie watch,
so you may want to postpone your purchase for a few months. To match
the style of the case with the age of the tubes, my nixie watch will
be in military style original FS595 OD (Olive Drap) color.
Additionally, David will enter the market with the first ever Ladies
nixie watch. Both types will be smaller than David's original design
of the "men's" nixie watch, so it will just depend which one is your
preference.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nixie-Watch/146174782160870

Michel

[David Forbes]

On 2/3/12 5:53 AM, Jeff Thomas wrote:
> Careful HV *and* LV cutoff threshold, with thermal scaling, is a
> design responsibility that my former employer didn't address seriously
> enough. Separator defects through contamination are a serious
> consideration with any prismatic Lithium Polymer chemistry choice.
> http://tinyurl.com/7zpn4lu
>
> My oldest son and I enjoy flying high performance micro heli's using
> that particular cell. And even though they appear perfectly fine at
> preflight, we've had two cells puff unexpectedly, and one ignited
> midway through it's flight to destroy the airframe. Not something you
> could tolerate occurring on someone's wrist.
>
> Please be careful.
>
> Regards, Jeff
>

Jeff,

I'm aware that hobby R/C cells don't receive much QC compared to
bluetooth cells. How else could they get that low, low price?

The actual cell that I'm considering is the GM041223-PCB made by GMB and
sold in the USA by these folks:

http://www.powerstream.com/li-pol.htm

I intend to ask Powerstream what qualifications the cell has obtained,
and whether it's currently being sold in quantity to another OEM as a
component of human wearable electronics.

I'm also interested in how the pulse current affects reliability, as it
will be about 3C for a few seconds at a time. I wouldn't expect that to
be a problem since the temperature can't rise much in that time, but
you're the expert here.

[J Forbes]

I just love optimism :)

(I watched David's commercial watch design slowly develop over a long
time, but at least I had a prototype to wear!)

Cobra007 wrote:

> Both David and myself are working on a new version of the nixie watch,
> so you may want to postpone your purchase for a few months.

....

[Cobra007]

How about the current it draws when setting the time? This might take
like 30 seconds or more to complete.

You could use a parallel supercap if the 3C currents only last for a
split second.

Michel

[Cobra007]

Yes, I like optimism :). Most of the things I design *must* be
finished in a few months, so that includes the watch, although there
isn't really any pressure on that one. If it takes too long, it will
just end up in a drawer where I might find it again after 5 years or
so.....

That prototype was the copper one, was it? I saw it somewhere on
youtube. It actually seems smaller than the "commercial" design, but
maybe not in a side-by-side comparison.

[Cobra007]

This is totally off topic, but if you really want to see an
exceptional and unusual electronic watch, take a look at this:

http://www.ablogtoread.com/devon-tread-1-watch-hands-on/

It's the Devon Tread 1 and it's yours for $15,000 if still available.

Michel

[Mich...@aol.com]

I guess that depends on the battery you get.

Batteries I use are nearly $200 each.   6s2p 5000mah

 

Popped it while inverted at 5ft.   Amazing how fast it falls out of the air without power.  :(

 

I was half upset it didn't catch fire and flames, then came to my senses to realize it could have cost a lot more in electronics than the $200 battery.

 

Michail

[J Forbes]

Yes, the copper one. It is smaller than the production watch, it also
is not sealed in any way, there's a big hole in the front where water,
dirt, metal filings, etc can enter. The reason it took so long to
design the "real" watch is that it's a difficult design problem, the
idea of using a screw on, round cover was a novel thing for a
wristwatch, afaik. The size/shape of the components suggests the watch
should be rectangular....but it's kinda difficult to figure out how to
package it in a housing that can be made "simply", without having to
invest in a lot of custom tooling. I happen to think it's a nice
design, but then I have a pretty good understanding of the design
constraints.

[David Forbes]

True fact. I gave myself a lot of usability constraints, which resulted
in the design that I eventually produced by the hundreds.

* Easy to buy battery
* Easy to replace battery
* Easy to set time
* Easy to replace a broken tube
* Easy to assemble in quantity
* No custom parts (the case doesn't count)
* Fits standard watch bands
* Comfortable to wear
* Looks like a wristwatch in the details
* Some amount of water resistance
* Sturdy, not prone to breakage or wear

I think I succeeded, but it did end up being rather big. For example,
the face glass crystal is 1.8mm thick. A thinner crystal would have
resulted in frequent breakage.

I also don't think that any of those items on the feature list are worth
giving up for smaller size, except that going with a smaller
rechargeable battery is such a size win that it's worth it for a certain
class of customer.

[Cobra007]

You did tick almost all the boxes, but there are 3 items in your list
that I do not really agree on (plus 1 question) :

> * Easy to set time

I do not know how much interest you have in watches but it is the only
watch that I know of that you need to open up to change the time. Even
the most extreme divers watches can set the time without opening up. I
know of just 1 watch that has a more unusual way to set the time which
is the Bulova Accutron 214, the adjustment knob is at the bottom of
the watch. They quickly changed that in the next 218 series because
people complained that it was not easy.

> * Fits standard watch bands

20mm is a standard watch band, but it is very narrow compared to the
watch case (this is not just my own opinion). It is just as easy to
buy 22 or 24 mm bands, and there are many stylish 26mm bands as well.

> * Looks like a wristwatch in the details

It truly is very large for a wrist watch. I mean, the U-boat series
watches are known to be very large in size and as far as I know they
don't go beyond 53mm dials, and mainly use a more common 50mm dial.

> * Some amount of water resistance

This one I don't really understand because your design is somewhat
perfect for a waterproof watch up to at least 10 meters, so why do you
say it only has some water resistance?

Michel

[J Forbes]

Cobra007 wrote:
> You did tick almost all the boxes, but there are 3 items in your list
> that I do not really agree on (plus 1 question) :
>
> > * Easy to set time
> I do not know how much interest you have in watches but it is the only
> watch that I know of that you need to open up to change the time. Even
> the most extreme divers watches can set the time without opening up. I
> know of just 1 watch that has a more unusual way to set the time which
> is the Bulova Accutron 214, the adjustment knob is at the bottom of
> the watch. They quickly changed that in the next 218 series because
> people complained that it was not easy.

Try it, you'll like it. The "opening up" is not like most watches,
it's easy. The O ring seal is not delicate.

> > * Fits standard watch bands
> 20mm is a standard watch band, but it is very narrow compared to the
> watch case (this is not just my own opinion). It is just as easy to
> buy 22 or 24 mm bands, and there are many stylish 26mm bands as well.

20mm is a size that fits the watch well keeping in mind how the case
is made, if the band were wider, the lugs would be intrusive. Also the
size of the watch does not reflect the weight of the watch...it's very
lightweight, which is not obvious from looking at it.

> > * Looks like a wristwatch in the details
> It truly is very large for a wrist watch. I mean, the U-boat series
> watches are known to be very large in size and as far as I know they
> don't go beyond 53mm dials, and mainly use a more common 50mm dial.

He said details, not size :) Yes, it's large! that's because there's
a lot of stuff in it. And it's neat stuff to look at.

> > * Some amount of water resistance
> This one I don't really understand because your design is somewhat
> perfect for a waterproof watch up to at least 10 meters, so why do you
> say it only has some water resistance?
>

David doesn't get any "warranty work" fixing flooded watches this
way...it makes sense to me. This is not a diving watch. It is safe to
wear it in rain, or other normal situations where water resistance is
needed. Most folks don't need a waterproof watch, and making it
waterproof is an expense they don't need to pay for.

Jim

[David Forbes]

On 2/4/12 3:17 PM, Cobra007 wrote:
> You did tick almost all the boxes, but there are 3 items in your list
> that I do not really agree on (plus 1 question) :
>
>> * Easy to set time
> I do not know how much interest you have in watches but it is the only
> watch that I know of that you need to open up to change the time. Even
> the most extreme divers watches can set the time without opening up. I
> know of just 1 watch that has a more unusual way to set the time which
> is the Bulova Accutron 214, the adjustment knob is at the bottom of
> the watch. They quickly changed that in the next 218 series because
> people complained that it was not easy.

Curious statement, as the Accutron 214 was introduced in 1960, yet my
1967 model has the original rear time setting knob. Seven years is not
quick.

Besides, the Nixie watch case opens by unscrewing the front, much like
you have to unscrew the lid on a jar of jelly to get at the contents.
It's not hard to do, and can be done without removing the watch from
your wrist as the Accutron requires.

And how often do you have to set the time? Every time you get on an
airplane and fly to another time zone. It gives you something to do on
the long, boring flight, and it makes the other passengers nervous,
which is always a good thing.

The battery can be replaced with NO TOOLS. How many other watches can
make this claim? Even the Accutron requires a coin to open the battery
door.

>> * Fits standard watch bands
> 20mm is a standard watch band, but it is very narrow compared to the
> watch case (this is not just my own opinion). It is just as easy to
> buy 22 or 24 mm bands, and there are many stylish 26mm bands as well.

Yeah, I could have put wider lugs in there. Many people have commented
on that. I was concerned that the watch was too long from lug to lug,
and wider lugs would have made it not fit on small wrists. It barely
fits on my wrist. So it's a tradeoff. Besides, the strap width doesn't
matter. It's only aesthetic.

>> * Looks like a wristwatch in the details
> It truly is very large for a wrist watch. I mean, the U-boat series
> watches are known to be very large in size and as far as I know they
> don't go beyond 53mm dials, and mainly use a more common 50mm dial.

Yes, but it's shaped like a wristwatch. The lugs have the same look as
typical wristwatch lugs. The case has a radius on the rear. Details like
that make it much more comfortable than the other Nixie watches you'll
see if you look around.

>> * Some amount of water resistance
> This one I don't really understand because your design is somewhat
> perfect for a waterproof watch up to at least 10 meters, so why do you
> say it only has some water resistance?

I'm an electrical engineer, not a watchmaker. Mass-producing a product
that doesn't fill with water when submerged is MUCH more difficult than
making it so that it won't malfunction if it gets a few raindrops on it.
Try it some time. There are a lot of tricks involved that I'm not privy to.

> Michel

[J Forbes]

The underwater robot is tricky enough, and it only goes to about 4
meters.

http://www.selectric.org/nurc10/index.html

:)

Jim

[Cobra007]

Well, it looks like I am up against the Forbes family :-)

You know, in the end it is all about taste and my main purpose for re-
designing it is to have a nixie watch that I (personally) like to
wear. If someone else likes yours better than mine, that's ok, and if
it's the other way around, that is fine as well. Your watch has
perhaps some advantages over mine, and so will it be the other way
around.

That new ladies watch you showed me on facebook is totally different
from your current men's watch. It will be exciting to see that one
when completed, especially how you will incorporate changing the time
on that one as it doesn't have a round dial. Will all the components
fit? I really don't know, it seemed very small to me.

Is changing the time important? Well, for some people it is, others
don't bother. I obviously belong to the category that bothers :-). I
also like accuracy, preferably less than 1 second per week, others
don't bother. Same counts for battery life, I don't want to be out
hiking for a few weeks and finding out that my watch battery is empty,
and again, others don't bother.

Michel

[Mitch]

> I'm an electrical engineer, not a watchmaker. Mass-producing a product
> that doesn't fill with water when submerged is MUCH more difficult than
> making it so that it won't malfunction if it gets a few raindrops on it.
> Try it some time. There are a lot of tricks involved that I'm not privy to.

As a watchmaker and owner of a watch company, I have some experience
with this. We use wet testers for high WR dive watches (over 10atm),
and dry testers for both. Neither can duplicate real world conditions,
but in the rare instance we receive a watch back that has leaked, I
have never believed the customer when they say they are sure the crown
was snug, although we have always considered it to be a warranty
repair. It would probably be the same with the screwed crystal/bezel.

We had one customer finally admit that he wore his watch in a 105
degree hot tub. It happened to be a model with a huge, 43mm sapphire
crystal and lots of air inside. Mostly on models with WR under 30atm,
crystals are pressed into gaskets made of nylon-like material (forgot
what its called) and of course they are only tested with positive
pressure. So you can imagine the damage he did. Watch cases designed
for greater WR usually have crystals screwed down to the case with a
large, threaded retainer so they can better resist negative pressure.

I would recommend including spare gaskets, and they should be
lubricated with silicone grease because they will be opened often.

As a point of information, the usual minimum order that watch case
manufacturers will take seriously, is 300 pieces. The factories that
produce blanks will not make less than 500 so either way, 500 blanks
will be paid for. Small production runs of CNC'd cases may be
possible, but they will be expensive.

There is no standard lug spacing. Any even spacing - 20mm, 22mm, 24mm,
more, less, etc., is fine. Something like 23mm would be considered non-
standard. Straps of any size and shape can be ordered easily.

Mitch

[Jeff Thomas]

Considering this was a thread that began as a troll, it appears the
troll(s) were trolled. IE: trolls (^3).

Trolling a troll is the ultimate troll. Unless you get trolled...
underwater.


AFAIK, there are very few women (or even fewer ladies) who would wear
a bulky watch of any kind in public. Maybe some paste eating geek girl
would, but she already has mine.

Jim taps David again, back into the ring...


:)

Regards, Jeff

[JohnK]

Sooo, back to my idea of surgical implants?

John K.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeff Thomas" <nixi...@gmail.com>
...clip..
> AFAIK, there are very few women (or even fewer ladies) who would wear
> a bulky watch of any kind in public.

...clip...
> Regards, Jeff

[J Forbes]

David has been spending quite a bit of his valuable time lately making
watches. I think his watch is due for a price increase. There are a
lot of other things he needs to be working on, instead of spending his
time doing the menial labor of watch assembly, and increasing the
price should reduce sales, while increasing profit.

I'd sure like to see some competition in the Nixie watch business.
Having only one design available is a drag. Get working on it please,
Jeff and Michel.

Jim

[David Forbes]

On 2/5/12 7:18 AM, Jeff Thomas wrote:
> AFAIK, there are very few women (or even fewer ladies) who would wear
> a bulky watch of any kind in public. Maybe some paste eating geek girl
> would, but she already has mine.
>

The ladies I know are not your typical ladies. After all, they like guys
like me.

[Mich...@aol.com]

Yeah.  That's saying a lot.   Glad you found one/some of them.

 

All I found is my wife, but she simply puts up with me.  If I had one that actually liked me, I could go far.  :-X

 

Sorry Dave, I had to start wearing one of my more expensive watches since the battery died.  STILL waiting on a replacement battery (not from you).

 

Couple of comments.  I am surprised (a little) how this thread has been going.  Little bickering.

I am happy with my watch.

Comparison to what you made many years ago with something that is concept now is unbelievable.

(I like it when people compare my old iphone with technology coming out today.  Might as well compare GPS clocks with old mechanical clocks.

 

If Michels watch is better than yours, well, it's supposed to be.  Windows 7 is also supposed to be better than 3.1.

 

Issues about setting the time means you remove the top?  Give me a break.  Twice a year.  It's a novelty item like all nixie clocks.   I spend nearly an hour already setting all my other nixie clocks as well - yup, twice a year.  (The watch being the easiest to set.)

 

If you make it, people will buy it.  So, please continue with making the womans watch.  The woman that puts up with me will not wear it, but I will.   Just don't put flowers and a pink strap on it (although I might still wear it just for the attention).

 

Michail

[Jeff Thomas]

On Feb 5, 7:38 am, J Forbes <jforbnos...@selectric.org> wrote:

> I'd sure like to see some competition in the Nixie watch business.
> Having only one design available is a drag. Get working on it please,
> Jeff and Michel.
>
> Jim

Thanks Jim.
I have decided to wait rather than provide continued inspiration.
Then everyone can decide which of the past, current, and future
players demonstrates the fine$t KungFu.

Regards, Jeff

[David Forbes]

Real artists ship.

[Cobra007]

Yes, you're right Jeff. I thought this threat was about nixie watch
madness, it appeared to be about rechargeable batteries and it ends up
in deep sea :-). Well, that is, if it ends here of course.

Went to Darling Harbour yesterday to see some Dragon Boat racing. Is
still on topic right? I mean, the boats were at sea....

Michel

[David Forbes]

On 2/5/12 3:35 AM, Cobra007 wrote:
>
> That new ladies watch you showed me on facebook is totally different
> from your current men's watch. It will be exciting to see that one
> when completed, especially how you will incorporate changing the time
> on that one as it doesn't have a round dial. Will all the components
> fit? I really don't know, it seemed very small to me.

I'm working on that design. It has gotten bigger, but not by too much. I
have added sockets for the tubes, and I have doubled the battery life.

The current dimensions are 48mm wide by 43mm tall by 17 mm thick. I have
fit most of the parts in it, but the circuit board design is not done
yet. I will not dare to state the final dimensions until all the
electronics and mechanics are completely designed and verified for
functionality.

I plan to have two time setting buttons on the right side, with two
charging contacts behind them. I am looking at a very old Casio C-83
calculator watch to learn their tricks for making the buttons. There are
O-rings on their button shafts, but mine have turned to concrete after
30 years. I could buy new ones from a horological supply house.

Panasonic makes some very thin tact switches that will fit well. Casio
used custom formed metal contacts against the edge of the PC board,
which is not sensible for me.

I will post some 3D drawings after I am more comfortable that all will fit.

[Cobra007]

Since you will incorporate some buttons, I would also add a setting so
that the user can choose to disable the tilt sensor. I am sure it will
work in normal daily life activities, but while playing tennis or golf
and perhaps in many other situations (setting up camping), IMO it is
very likely the tilt sensor will trigger a false reading and as such
use battery capacity.

Those dimensions sound feasible with a rechargeable battery.

Most of my designs have to fit in enclosures that were chosen by other
people, and usually those people also decided the dimensions that the
boards must have. With this aspect, I designed my watch cases before
designing the boards. That is opposite from what people would normally
do, so it may sound a bit bizarre. I only have a margin in the
thickness, so it can go from 16.5mm to 17.5mm.

Michel

[J Forbes]

Cobra007 wrote:
> Since you will incorporate some buttons, I would also add a setting so
> that the user can choose to disable the tilt sensor. I am sure it will
> work in normal daily life activities, but while playing tennis or golf
> and perhaps in many other situations (setting up camping), IMO it is
> very likely the tilt sensor will trigger a false reading and as such
> use battery capacity.

That's an interesting idea...but probably not necessary, judging by
how long a CR2 battery lasts in the current design watch.

I did have an interesting experience with my prototype watch
yesterday...helping the local high school robotics team building the
robot, I had the watch near the drive motors, which are big DC
permanent magnet type. I noticed my watch going thru the setting
thing. I guess the reed switches in it are a bit too sensitive!
Production watches use buttons, which is a good thing for hostile
environments like working on robots.

Jim

[Jeff Thomas]

I'll continue the amusement through private email only :)

Regards, Jeff