What type/size of plug for power supply of clock?

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Dman777

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Jul 12, 2014, 8:34:02 PM7/12/14
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Hi,

I bought my first Nixie clock! http://www.ebay.com/itm/271174922160

I was wondering, what type/size plug do I need for the power supply? I mean the end that plugs into the clock. This is for USA. 

Thanks,
-Darin

Terry S

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Jul 12, 2014, 9:07:48 PM7/12/14
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I guess you'll find out when it arrives. Maybe it'll help answer ALL your questions.....

Tidak Ada

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Jul 13, 2014, 2:30:51 AM7/13/14
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The connection is clearly visible at the backside of your clock. See pic.
 
eric


From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Dman777
Sent: zondag 13 juli 2014 2:34
To: neoni...@googlegroups.com
Subject: [neonixie-l] What type/size of plug for power supply of clock?

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Neonixie.jpg

Dman777

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Jul 13, 2014, 2:59:54 AM7/13/14
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But  I can't tell what size that is...don't they come in different sizes?

Thanks,
-Darin

petehand

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Jul 13, 2014, 6:34:05 AM7/13/14
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The most common size is 2.5mm barrel, 1.2mm pin. It looks like one of those.

aarggh @aarggh.com

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Jul 13, 2014, 8:35:45 AM7/13/14
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Looks a standard DC connector, but I note he lists it as 8-12V but no mention of polarity protection, so be careful first on the polarity, but also get a reasonable quality plug pack, as most  have little in the way of regulation and may state 12V but can be up to 18V quite commonly. Uf the clock doesn't have a bridge rectifier in the input, I'd be inclined to make a simple inline circuit with a bridge rectifier, an LM7812, and a couple of caps to take the output of an unregulated 12V plug pack, and feed a stable 12V to the clock. The bridge rectifier also eliminates the need to worry about polarity.

Cheers, Ian

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JohnK

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Jul 13, 2014, 11:02:37 AM7/13/14
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Yes, the 2.1 and 2.5 are hard to tell apart. At least yours has the bifurcated centre pin. There are so many brands and variations about you can have trouble with intermittent connection.
 
A couple of years back I found that the selection at the local parts stores [Jaycar, Altronics,Aztronics etc]  along with variations in my kit items could lead to problems. Some types rely on a loose fit of the outer of the plug to the outer of the socket. This is because they do not have a split centre and would otherwise rely on manufacturing tolerances and a 'slant/skew' of the central pin to work at all. They have a spring in the wall of the socket which then pushes the plug sideways to ensure contact at the centre pin.
I found that mixing and matching various brands and even eras of the same brand could lead to intermittent operation.
Also, one shop mixed up their stock. The design of the 2.1 and 2.5 meant that you could mix them - they fitted but didn't necessarily connect all the time. Beware of rigid, tight fit, non-bifurcated and non-springlined-central-female items - how DO they actually make reliable conact? They are pairs of concentric cylinders with no 'give'.
 
A similar thing happened with 3.5mm audio stereo connectors. Even in the same brand [seemingly] the loose plugs that worked fine with the in-line sockets were somewhat intermittent with the chassis-mounted sockets being sold AND VERY intermittent in the sockets fitted to audio gear.
The plugs on purchased audio cables were fine with the equipment [as you would hope] and varied in results with other sockets.
 
 
John K.
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Jon

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Jul 13, 2014, 1:03:17 PM7/13/14
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On Sunday, July 13, 2014 7:59:54 AM UTC+1, Dman777 wrote:
But  I can't tell what size that is...don't they come in different sizes?
 
Darin,

I don't intend to appear unhelpful, but have you asked the seller that question? Not only is he likely to be more informed on the subject than anybody here, but also he should be motivated to ensure you are a happy customer by providing accurate quick info...

Jon.



.

Dman777

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Jul 13, 2014, 6:39:26 PM7/13/14
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Ya, I did but didn't get a reply. 

I guess at this point, assuming the plug size is standard...what is a high quality power supply recommended? When I do research on Google, I only get research hits on PC power  supplies. 

Thanks,
-Darin

jf...@my-deja.com

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Jul 13, 2014, 7:09:51 PM7/13/14
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On Sunday, July 13, 2014 3:39:26 PM UTC-7, Dman777 wrote:
Ya, I did but didn't get a reply. 

I guess at this point, assuming the plug size is standard...what is a high quality power supply recommended? When I do research on Google, I only get research hits on PC power  supplies. 

Thanks,
-Darin
Does the clock have a built-in backup battery?  If not, I would build my own battery-backed-up power supply that I kept trickle-charged with a wall wart.

aarggh @aarggh.com

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Jul 14, 2014, 1:43:42 AM7/14/14
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High quality is a very subjective term when it comes to plug packs, even ones that claim to be regulated and are better quite often have very inferior components and a wide output range. I would still recommend my earlier post re making an inline regulator, and you could then use any old AC or DC plug pack that was reasonably within the range such as DSL modem ones for example.

Cheers, Ian

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Nicholas Stock

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Jul 14, 2014, 12:32:05 PM7/14/14
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http://www.mpja.com/DC-Plug-In-Power-Supplies/products/366/

I've bought many DC supplies from MPJA, and they've all worked perfectly


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