anyone interested in a dual IV-21 clock kit?

[Moses]

Folks,

I started working on a prototype IV-21 clock sometime last year. I got to the point of an advanced prototype, ready to move to a PCB.. but life got in the way.

I never really bothered with VFD displays much before, but now they are growing on me. This one is a good size for a more close up clock, it's been my "desk" clock for about a year now.

I can put this into production, I have plenty of tubes on hand, but would like to see if there is any interest from the group. If I can get 10-20 interested parties, I would pursue it to a production kit. My design is as follows:

Dual IV-21 tubes, as seen in the cardboard mockup. 

ESP32 Xiao controller (NTP/wifi software based on my other clocks www.neonixie.com)

Onboard DC-DC step up controlled by the ESP

Modern max6921 serial VFD drivers

I like to see the date and/or UTC time along with local, so I like the dual tube idea.

Anyone interested?

Regards,

-Moses

[Allen]

I’d be interested!

I like the idea of a dual display clock .

Handy for a ham.

Allen Wisbey, W1SBY

On Jan 13, 2025, at 11:47 PM, 'Moses' via neonixie-l <neoni...@googlegroups.com> wrote:



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[Michail Wilson]

I am interested in one or two.

 

Would it be open source?   If not,  would you make a basic open source program which can just talk to the tubes?

If open or partially, I would be interested in a few/several kits.

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

[Moses]

Yes, it's based on the same core software as my other clocks. I provide the source, although not technically "open source".. it's on my website for anyone to look at.

There is a link to the source (and compiled binaries) under "ESP32 Firmware" at the following link. I've been on 0.92 BETA2 for a long time and I would consider it release quality. It's easy to recompile once you setup the correct Arduino environment with the proper libraries (listed at the beginning of the code).

https://www.neonixie.com/IV-9-6D-RR/#esp32

Cool, so far I got two interested parties! ;)

Regards,

-Moses

[Nicholas Stock]

I'm game for a couple Moses if that helps things along a little....

Cheers,

Nick

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[Michail Wilson]

Do you have a price target?

 

Count me in for 4.

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[Moses]

I'm thinking a price of about $50, let me know what you all think. Although looking at the cost of a pair of max6921 drivers.. at $7 each in bulk quantities is pushing that price target. Why are they so expensive!?!

Rarely do any of these low volume projects make any proper amount of money for me, or likely anyone else for that matter. Dare I count my hours of labor ;)

Alright! I think there is enough interest to continue!

I think given the small size the Xiao ESP32C6 is going to be the one for this kit, at least to start off with. I like that it's pin compatible with a few other similar boards. I also prefer the built in antenna, as a lot of the other Xiao's have an external connectors only (which is good too for some things!).

https://www.seeedstudio.com/Seeed-Studio-XIAO-ESP32C6-p-5884.html
Maybe I can use the USB C input for power.. that way the DC adapter is somewhat a "standard".

Small piezo buzzer too, since the firmware already plays tunes.

Comments or suggestions, I'm always happy to hear them!

Regards,

-Moses

[Alan Tan]

1 for me please

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[Richard Scales]

Count me in for one.

 - Richard

[James Gallagher]

1 for me as well.

Thanks,

James

401-575-3296

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[Jon D.]

I am interested in one.

Jon D.

[Ian Vine]

I’m interested

Ian

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

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.

[Organs Grinder]

I would also be interested.

many thanks

brendan

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[Michael Ampula]

Seems like you might need to double that first board order...;-)

I'm in for at least two.

Michael

[bdu...@gmail.com]

I would be interested in one as well.

- Bill

[Benoit Tourret]

I like the idea of a dual display, could it be possible to send data on a mqtt topic do feed the display when needed ?

Please, count me for one kit.

Regards,

Benoit.

[Moses]

Hey Benoit! Long time no chat!

Yes, setting the display via an mqtt topic should be pretty easy. The latest firmware for the other clocks has a topic that it can monitor for brightness changes.. easy modification to control the rest of the display.

I've been drawing up the PCB in my spare time.. my main issue now is the estimated BOM is going to be about $35 for low quantities (100 or so). A bit more then I expected. The VFD drivers are the main culprit.. the max6921 is about $14 for two! Does anyone know of a cheaper option for driving VFDs? Even if I tie all the segments (8) together I still have 18 grids to deal with, so at minimum I need a chip with 26 channels, and preferably in a larger pitch (SOIC?) so soldering won't be a issue for most folks.

Regards,

-Moses

[leo oel]

PT6312-LQ

среда, 29 января 2025 г. в 05:40:04 UTC+2, Moses:

[Mac Doktor]

I'll take two if it's through-hole.

On Jan 14, 2025, at 12:47 AM, 'Moses' via neonixie-l <neoni...@googlegroups.com> wrote:

I can put this into production, I have plenty of tubes on hand, but would like to see if there is any interest from the group. If I can get 10-20 interested parties, I would pursue it to a production kit. My design is as follows:

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH
"The Mac Doctor"

https://www.astarcloseup.com

“...the book said something astonishing, a very big thought. The stars, it said, were suns but very far away. The Sun was a star but close up.”—Carl Sagan, "The Backbone Of Night", Cosmos, 1980