Shameless Pre-Plug: New Clock Kit Coming Soon

[threeneurons]

Just sent out an order for a new clock kit board.

Over the past two years, I had been selling a descrete logic kit, with input, from Westdave:

http://threeneurons.wordpress.com/nixie-power-supply/nixie-clock-kit-6-digit-with-dekatron-pendulum/

But, I've notice the Russian 74141 prices have been steadily increases, as their supply is diminishing. This old kit uses 5 of them. Never understood why people needed 6. Anyways, a new design was in order, to use more readily available parts, and more local parts. I'm still selling the old version, but only as bare boards.

Here's a demo video of the prototype, of the uC based, new one:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x261jze_nixie5-prototype-demonstration_tech

To minimize parts count, hence easier to build, its multiplexed. Charlie-plexed actually, which even saves on more parts. I added "mid-pull (to 100V) resistors" to all anode and cathode lines, and there is ~250uS blanking between digits. Total frame rate is 64Hz. It has an onboard PS, that's set for 200V. The higher the supply voltage, the faster the tube turns ON. Other features are a dekatron pendulum, and hourly chimes. Those are a must for me. It can do both 12 or 24 hour display modes. Time base is automatic. If it sees AC power coming in, it will determine and sync to the 50 or 60Hz. If the freq is not present, or too far off, it will default to the internal crystal. No GPS.

Control is simple. 3 switches; 2 momentary. Those are for setting the hours, minutes, and enabling the alarm clock mode. When you enter "alarm clock mode", the alarm time will display, transiently, for seven seconds. during this time you can adjust the alarm time. That seven seconds gets reset to a new seven seconds, with each button press, so you really have more than seven seconds. Just seven seconds for the first push. If its displaying the the "real time", either in "alarm clock mode", or "normal mode", then the hour and minute switches adjust that displayed time.

Jason Harper wrote a great document on Charlieplexing transistors, ~10 years ago. I can't seem to find the link to it. I should still have a copy of his original PDF.

I'll tell you, in this thread once I get the kits listed on eBay. Probably in ~2weeks.

[blkadder]

I am looking forward to this one.  I built one of your originals, and my daughter immediately adopted it.  Might you have a price point yet?

Ron

[threeneurons]

Well, thank you for supplementing my hobby ! The price should be the around the same as the last one. The recurring costs, to me, are around the same. That also seems to be the "sweet spot". Raise it higher than that ($40US), and interest (meaning opening of wallets) drops off.

Of course, for those not familiar with the old one, the kit comes absent of tubes, and several other parts. Mostly the heavy ones that bite me on shipping. Also you have to find your own way of mounting the tubes. I'd like to say I'm doing it this way to encourage people to design their cases other than the plain old rectangular box, with tubes sticking out the top. But really, I'm just to damn lazy. 

[blkadder]

Like your other clock kits, I have stocked up on tubes while they were fairly cheap.  There is an old bakelite TV tuner I have been hanging on to just waiting for a new clock to come out, and I think this may be the one.

[Terry S]

Mike, can you take a little friendly criticism?

I don't like the motion of the dekatron pendulum. It looks un-natural, and pauses too distinctly at each end of the "stroke".

Also, the chimes sounded a bit ... shall we say... dissonant? As if maybe I were trying to sing the notes?

Other than that.... nice clock. I like the features.

Terry

[Paul Parry]

I would agree with Terry, the pendulum looks just a little to mechanical, but I very much like the way the double neon colon indicators work, that is pretty neat.

Kind regards,

Paul

 

[Nicholas Stock]

I'd agree, the 'railroad' colons are a nice touch...some implementation of simple harmonic motion would be great with the dekatron, but still, it's a great addition to the clock!

I'll be buying one of these kits for sure.

Cheers,

Nick

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[Dekatron42]

Would it be possible to add this kind of dekatron seconds display: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix7sjQ0FRpU&list=LLO6OM4QT3HjXeLpF3FSlsMA and make a four digit version?

/Martin

[threeneurons]

I appreciate the input. Here's a new video, with a couple of small tweeks:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x264die_nixie5-prototype-demo-modified_tech

I slowed down the dekatron 'tick' from 20mS to 28mS, so the motion becomes more constant, and those pauses shortened.

There is suppose to be a 8 note preamble, in the chime. I noticed I got two notes wrong. 

I also have two spare jumpers, for possible options. I'm still finalizing the firmware, so I've got about two weeks to tweek it. I'm open to ideas.

[threeneurons]

I'm aware of this dekatron pattern, and find it really cool, even elegant. I'm a little reluctant in using it, because its that guy's signature, and I really don't want to "steal" it.

[Dennis]

Can't wait for this one. I have two of the older models and are a lot of fun with the pendulum. This new one is great with the chimes. Nice touch.

Dennis

 

KB7DV

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[threeneurons]

Here is another pendulum option:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x268jq3_nixie5-varying-rate-pendulum_tech

I'm thinking of using one of the jumper options, to select between this one, and the one in the last video. This one accelerates and slows down as it sweeps, mimicking a real pendulum.

The other jumper, looks to be used to modify the chimes. One setting with, and one without the 8 note preamble. I have very "tin" ears. Even though, I intellectually understand dissonance, its hard for me to get a real sense of it. Like describing the taste of food to someone with no taste buds, or sense of smell.

I have the RTC code working today. Its mostly copied and pasted from old projects. A couple of mods. Different I/O pins, to be reassigned. Also this one has the alarm time to be saved, and restored.

I'm also gathering parts. I made some partial purchases from some new hobby houses, to evaluate their products. The bulk is coming from main stream guys like Mouser, Newark (Farnell), and Digikey. I have to do a more thorough evaluation of the microcontroller, and RTC chip, before I make comments. Some seem to have problems. But I have to make sure their products are defective, before outing them.

[Dennis]

Also good. I like the variable swing rate too. I would think it would be a small task for someone to grab the output for you chimes and trigger an off the board uC to run their own gizmo. I happen to have a uC all programmed with tunes that I'm sure will work with your new innovation.

Dennis

 

KB7DV

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[Chris Stalin]

You've done amazing work previous, This new adventure should be just as good if not better.

I am waiting patiently for the release. Is any of this going to be open to the public or kits only?
You mentioned RTC. How about a simple DS3231 RTC. Very accurate and provides a nice 1hz output too if you so desire to utilize it.

Thanks
Christian

[threeneurons]

On Friday, September 19, 2014 1:43:26 PM UTC-7, Chris Stalin wrote:

You've done amazing work previous, This new adventure should be just as good if not better.

You mentioned RTC. How about a simple DS3231 RTC. 

Nope, the old standby, the DS1307.

Two reasons against the DS3231. (1) Only comes in surface mount, which many hobbyist won't deal with, even at a fairly large 0.05" pitch. (2) Even in 100 Qty, they cost $5 each. Close to $10, in ones and two-zees ! The DS1307 comes in a 8-pin dip, and only goes in the 2 buck range. You can lift the 1Hz pin out of the DS1307, and insert 1Hz, from a GPS module, if you need the precision.

Here, in the US, the AC line gives great long term accuracy. It wobbles all over place during the day. But in a 24 hour period, the power companies make sure there are exactly 5,184,000 cycles. They compensate for the slowdown, during the day, by speeding up, at night, to get the right number of cycles, in a single day. The AC line is much better than common crystals.

[John Rehwinkel]

You mentioned RTC. How about a simple DS3231 RTC. 

Nope, the old standby, the DS1307.

Two reasons against the DS3231. (1) Only comes in surface mount, which many hobbyist won't deal with, even at a fairly large 0.05" pitch. (2) Even in 100 Qty, they cost $5 each. Close to $10, in ones and two-zees ! The DS1307 comes in a 8-pin dip, and only goes in the 2 buck range. You can lift the 1Hz pin out of the DS1307, and insert 1Hz, from a GPS module, if you need the precision.

They have 'em already mounted on daughter boards for $1.64 (plus a buck shipping) on eBay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/400503978923

I'm not sure how they manage that, but it would be easy enough to solder those to a board (or solder on a female header and just plug it in).

- John

[threeneurons]

Finally ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251682813629

[Dennis]

Worth the wait. This will make a nice gift and some fun for a young man helping grandpa put this together.

Dennis

 

KB7DV

On Saturday, October 18, 2014 9:02 AM, 'threeneurons' via neonixie-l <neoni...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

Finally ...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251682813629

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[threeneurons]

Thank you !

I'll be kitting up a few more, in a day or two. Ran out of 8-DIP sockets, since I needed more than I have fingers and toes (and the carry bit). A batch of parts should be in tomorrow, according to the tracking info.

[Dennis]

I grabbed one off the bay because I'm headed out of the area for a bit and need to take it with me. I'm going to introduce this young guy to some electronics and then we'll move on to build this clock. I like the chime circuit. It wouldn't take much to add even more chime controls to it maybe control holiday music or such. Imagination is the only limit.

Thanks!

Dennis

 

KB7DV

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