IV-17 Word Clock

[Mitch]

I was a little surprised that the power supplies worked the first time. A LM2576 is used to drop the supply voltage to 5v. Two 34063 chips raise that voltage to 32v, and lower it to 1.65v. The datasheet and online calculators for the 34063s made that part easy.

The next revision will use separate tube boards. Curiously the tubes I have with 1990 date codes aren’t very bright. The 1987 versions are good.

I can’t seem to find matching LEDs for the blue-green color, to use for colons. Otherwise everything works as it should.

[David Eustace]

What about using IV15s? BTW, please put me down for one of these! 

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[Bill Notfaded]

I'm interested too... notfaded1 on Gmail 👍

[newxito]

Great job!

[Mitch]

The clock is designed for alphanumeric displays. I checked the datasheet for the IV-4. The pinout is the same, but the datasheet is in Russian so I don't know if there are differences. Worst case, the voltages can be adjusted by changing four resistors.

This wasn't intended to be sold, but I'm not sure now. We'll see when the new boards arrive next week. WordClock-2 will definitely be available by the end of the month. Displays will ship from China next week. Those 2.3" displays are gorgeous, with extremely intense colors. 

[David Eustace]

Sorry Mitch, I should have been more clear - the IV-15 tubes are the colon tubes used my DG12B tube clock. They are simple indicators that do not display any numbers or text. They work very nicely with a vfd display, IMHO.

On Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM Mitch <mit...@gmail.com> wrote:

The clock is designed for alphanumeric displays. I checked the datasheet for the IV-4. The pinout is the same, but the datasheet is in Russian so I don't know if there are differences. Worst case, the voltages can be adjusted by changing four resistors.

This wasn't intended to be sold, but I'm not sure now. We'll see when the new boards arrive next week. WordClock-2 will definitely be available by the end of the month. Displays will ship from China next week. Those 2.3" displays are gorgeous, with extremely intense colors. 

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[Bill Notfaded]

I'm interested in the wordclock!

Thanks,

Bill

On Wed, Nov 27, 2019, 6:00 AM Mitch <mit...@gmail.com> wrote:

The clock is designed for alphanumeric displays. I checked the datasheet for the IV-4. The pinout is the same, but the datasheet is in Russian so I don't know if there are differences. Worst case, the voltages can be adjusted by changing four resistors.

This wasn't intended to be sold, but I'm not sure now. We'll see when the new boards arrive next week. WordClock-2 will definitely be available by the end of the month. Displays will ship from China next week. Those 2.3" displays are gorgeous, with extremely intense colors. 

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[Richard Scales]

In case you do decide you will offer these as kits or boards etc, please add me to the list. I'm a nixie addict with a particular interest in word clocks right now. Thank you.

[Richard Scales]

Also, check the Thyratron clock by Paul Andrews, he found some LED's that matched the Thyratrons nicely, these (or similar) might work for you.

On Tuesday, 26 November 2019 12:19:55 UTC, Mitch wrote:

[Mitch]

Thanks, Dave. I didn't know that part was available. It looks like a great choice to use as a separator, but I want to keep the colons, and the part must be very small to keep equal spacing between the digits.

 The supplier is able to source 3mm LEDs in a wavelength between green and blue, so I'll try that next.

On Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 8:13:47 AM UTC-5, DaveE wrote:

Sorry Mitch, I should have been more clear - the IV-15 tubes are the colon tubes used my DG12B tube clock. They are simple indicators that do not display any numbers or text. They work very nicely with a vfd display, IMHO.

On Wed, Nov 27, 2019 at 1:00 PM Mitch <mit...@gmail.com> wrote:

The clock is designed for alphanumeric displays. I checked the datasheet for the IV-4. The pinout is the same, but the datasheet is in Russian so I don't know if there are differences. Worst case, the voltages can be adjusted by changing four resistors.

This wasn't intended to be sold, but I'm not sure now. We'll see when the new boards arrive next week. WordClock-2 will definitely be available by the end of the month. Displays will ship from China next week. Those 2.3" displays are gorgeous, with extremely intense colors. 

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[Mitch]

Thanks, Richard.

[Mitch]

If the new board designs work well, I'll probably make some kits available without tubes.

I'm working now on a B7971 version that will use six tubes, with an add-on board to make it eight digits. The circuit design for this one is much simpler. It will use a Taylor power supply, same as all of my Nixie designs. It will be direct drive, so it can't use the HT16K33 chip. The driver software will be different. Otherwise operationally it will be the same as the first three word clocks. Because the tubes only have 14 segments, Russian won't work, and Klingons won't be happy.

On Thursday, November 28, 2019 at 12:20:13 AM UTC-5, Richard Scales wrote:

[Mitch]

This is the latest version. I think I can narrow the main board by another 15mm or so. I used a heat gun to remove the tubes from the last board. All survived.

[Michail Wilson]

I want.

 

 

8 tube board in mind?

 

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

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[Bill Notfaded]

I like this too.  Longer words would be fun!  Michail is right!  I've been doing some 7971 that are longer but dang this would be cheaper!

Bill

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[martin martin]

those curvy tubes look great!

Where can they be had?

[Richard Scales]

From the photo I can see that you have mounted the tubes on tube carrier boards -  great idea for those tubes - so many legs to solder!
As bill suggested, more tubes would be lovely, could you even make it modular?

8 or 10 tube versions would be most welcome.

Richard

[Mitch]

Thanks, Richard. Good idea, especially since those tubes are so cheap. I'll put that on the list, which is getting smaller by the day. The 30v supply should be able to handle many more tubes. I'm not sure about the filament supply, though. A second board using an additional HT16K33 will add up to eight tubes, or seven and colons.Or maybe one board that holds 15 tubes.With 15 tubes it can also run the Union Square Metronome clock display.

The B7971 boards should be here next week. Some software work will be needed because the tubes are directly driven using HV5530 chips. The HK16K33 and driver chips are not used because I didn't want to multiplex them. It is a six digit board, but a two digit add-on can be connected to the right side to add another colon, and two more tubes. 

[Organs Grinder]

If you ever do make kits/boards I would also be interested.

Thanks

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[Bill Notfaded]

If you need more tubes too I think Michail W. has a rack of them... isn't that right M1?  Or did you go through all of those already?

Bill

On Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 11:36:25 AM UTC-7, M1 wrote:

I want.

 

 

8 tube board in mind?

 

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

 

From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mitch
Sent: Tuesday, December 3, 2019 10:28 AM
To: neonixie-l
Subject: [neonixie-l] Re: IV-17 Word Clock

 

This is the latest version. I think I can narrow the main board by another 15mm or so. I used a heat gun to remove the tubes from the last board. All survived.

 

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[Michail Wilson]

The IV-17?   Yes, I have a few boxes, but they are still cheap on ebay.   Like $2 each.

 

No, I still haven’t made a project with those yet.   Soon!

 

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

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[Mitch]

Here is the final version, with a more compact main board. Everything works perfectly. I'm still waiting for the 3mm colon LEDs in ice blue, around 490nm. 

The clock is displaying words from the new, 375,000 word English dictionary.

The 2.3" displays arrive from China on Monday, so those kits will ship next week.

[Richard Scales]

That does look good - I need this in my life! Do you currently have plans for something with more than six tubes?

On Tuesday, 26 November 2019 12:19:55 UTC, Mitch wrote:

[Mitch]

Richard, kits will be available soon after January 1st. Everything but the tubes, case, and power supply will be included. For anyone who can't wait, I can supply the main board, six tube boards, programmed microcontroller, and two pushbuttons, for $50 plus shipping. Everything else is available from the usual suppliers. The assembly manual is rough at this point, but it should be sufficient while I improve it.

After that, the B7971, then I'll look at a 16 digit version, or maybe 15 digits with some colons.It should be easy, just another HT16K33, some extra driver chips, and a higher current capable power supply for the filaments.

[Richard Scales]

That is looking awesome. Happy to wait until you are ready - especially if you are going for 15 or 16 digits.

Is that a two tube add-on board in the bottom of the picture?

[Richard Scales]

I should pay more attention - that's your B-7971 board  - nice. 

On Tuesday, 26 November 2019 12:19:55 UTC, Mitch wrote:

[Mitch]

This project is finished. I wasn't able to find any LED that came close to the color of the VFD displays, so I used 1.8mm white LEDs in series with a 10k resistor to match the dim glow of the displays.

The driver for the six digit B7971 word clock is also finished, just waiting for some revised boards. The two digit add-on board is up next.

[Michail Wilson]

Kit form yet?   Price.

 

Open project source like the Word Clock 1 and 2?

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

 

From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Mitch
Sent: Sunday, January 5, 2020 7:40 AM
To: neonixie-l
Subject: [neonixie-l] Re: IV-17 Word Clock

 

This project is finished. I wasn't able to find any LED that came close to the color of the VFD displays, so I used 1.8mm white LEDs in series with a 10k resistor to match the dim glow of the displays.

 

The driver for the six digit B7971 word clock is also finished, just waiting for some revised boards. The two digit add-on board is up next.

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[Mitch Feig]

Hi Michail,

It is only available as complete kit, less tubes. It is not open source. It will be available as soon as the boards arrive, definitely within ten days. 

Regards,

Mitch

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[Michail Wilson]

Ok thanks.

 

Although I might still be interested in getting one, I will hold off as I thought they were all open source projects.

 

Thanks,

 

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

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[Mitch Feig]

Thanks!

Regards,

Mitch

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[Richard Scales]

Can you update us as to where the version that supports more IV-17 (like 12,15 or more etc) is sitting on your road map?

Would there be add-on modules for the first kit or separate boards etc?

I just need to update my own construction road map!

Richard

[Mitch Feig]

Hi Richard,

The current version won't support more tubes. I will do a 15 or 16 tube version, but I'm not sure when it will be available, but probably by the summer. I haven't started working on the hardware or software yet.

The B7971 version will  be available by the end of this month, and the two digit add-on board, probably a month or two later. 

Regards,

Mitch

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[gregebert]

Speaking of b7971's , I see a pair of untested 7971's on Ebay with a starting bid of 150 USD each....yikes.

I'm glad I finished mine a few years ago.....big tube, and quite versatile, and a bit ugly.

Whoever is determined enough to acquire a batch of these, rest assured you'll get used to the ugliness after awhile.

[Bill Notfaded]

How many digits is the B-7971 clock?  I'm interested.  I have two mod-six, a new 7 digit clock from Mahdi forum member, and the four digit FLWC from another passed well known forum member I bought.  All are B-7971 clocks.  What's the two digit add on for?

Regards,

Bill

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[Mitch Feig]

The B7971 version is a 6 digit word clock. The add-on board will make it 8 digits, but no time frame on completing the software for the add-on board.

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[Dylan Distasio]

Is it possible to run it with 4 digits?  Also, I would probably be interested in one as I am sitting on B7971s.  I can't remember if I have 6 though.

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[Mitch Feig]

You will need six tubes.

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[Mitch]

This is the finished, 8 digit version. I like it this way better because there are no color match issues as there were with LED colons, and two extra tubes are available for words. And tubes are cheap.

The same firmware now handles 6-16 tubes, 2 HT16K33 chips or 4 HV5530 chips, colons as LEDs or colons as tube segments, and APA102 or APA106 RGB LEDs. 

And no jumpers, no cut traces! Hours of soldering here with 560 solder joints just for the tubes and headers, and lots of SMD on the bottom of the board.

[Nicholas Stock]

Very nicely done Mitch!

Sent from my iPhone

On Jan 25, 2020, at 11:05, Mitch <mit...@gmail.com> wrote:



This is the finished, 8 digit version. I like it this way better because there are no color match issues as there were with LED colons, and two extra tubes are available for words. And tubes are cheap.

The same firmware now handles 6-16 tubes, 2 HT16K33 chips or 4 HV5530 chips, colons as LEDs or colons as tube segments, and APA102 or APA106 RGB LEDs. 

And no jumpers, no cut traces! Hours of soldering here with 560 solder joints just for the tubes and headers, and lots of SMD on the bottom of the board.

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<IMG-0352T.mp4>

[Bill Notfaded]

Sign me up for an 8 digit Mitch!  Really really neat!  So is it just two 8's put together to make 16?

Bill

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[Richard Scales]

Indeed, what is that path to 16 digits?

[Richard Scales]

If the path to 16 digits is two 8 digit kits then please sign me up for two.

Richard

[Mitch]

Here's a 16 digit LED version. The 16 digit VFD will probably use one board, but two is a possibility.

[Nathan Diniz]

GEEZ man! How many Alphanumeric displays do you have?

[Mitch Feig]

The factory did a production run just for the LED clocks.

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[Richard Scales]

Absolutely love it - is the VFD version far away?

On Tuesday, 18 February 2020 15:55:58 UTC, Mitch wrote:

The factory did a production run just for the LED clocks.

On Tue, Feb 18, 2020 at 10:24 AM Nathan Diniz <vpmast...@gmail.com> wrote:

GEEZ man! How many Alphanumeric displays do you have?

On Sunday, January 26, 2020 at 9:49:43 AM UTC-6, Mitch wrote:

Here's a 16 digit LED version. The 16 digit VFD will probably use one board, but two is a possibility.

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[Mitch]

Four were sold last week. I'm just waiting for more boards. Hopefully they will arrive early next week.

[Mitch]

Boards arrived today and kits are available. 

[Bill Notfaded]

Hey Mitch!

How can i order one?  Paypal at the ready.

Bill

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[Mitch Feig]

Hi Bill,

They are available at www.angryelectrons.co.

Please let me know if you find any errors with the documentation.

Thanks!

Regards,

Mitch

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[Bill Notfaded]

Ordered thanks!

Bill

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[Richard Scales]

Ordered - Thank you.

Ordered thanks!

Bill

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