WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays

Mitch

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Nov 2, 2019, 10:52:20 AM11/2/19

to neonixie-l

Here's a picture of the 2.3" version of the word clock. I just figured out the last problem, yesterday.

I was able to source the displays directly from the manufacturer in China. The colors they have available are Super Red, Pure Green, Super White, Blue, and Amber. I have samples of each color, so I'll build one of each. I will make kits available, but probably not until January.

Software is the same as for WordClock-1.

Libraries available so far including contributions, are:

English

Croatian

French

Italian

Klingon

Spanish

HebLrn (learning libraries)

SpaLrn

Yiddish

Russian

Proverbs

A German library will be contributed, shortly.

wc2.jpg

Mitch

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Nov 2, 2019, 10:54:34 AM11/2/19

to neonixie-l

I will try to design an IV-17 version early next year. I'm not how compatible the multiplex capability of the HT16K33 will be with VFD displays, guess I'll have to try it to see.

newxito

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Nov 3, 2019, 4:00:00 PM11/3/19

to neonixie-l

Nice clocks! And the features list of your software is impressive.

I want to switch from the ATmega328p to the ESP32 for future projects. That’s why I’m currently building a word clock and trying to learn as much as possible about this module. No single line of code yet, I don’t even know if the controller works… waiting for a 3.3V FTDI board and looking forward to start writing the software.

Just tested the display board, seems to work fine. My only concern is that the short segments are slightly brighter than the long ones. Maybe I can fix it adding some resistors to the brighter rows (segments) …like the cathode resistors for the B-7971…

The case was too wide for my 3D printer, I had to make two halves…

I will only make this one, no kits from my side :-)

wclock1.jpg

wclock2.jpg

Mitch

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Nov 4, 2019, 8:32:55 AM11/4/19

to neonixie-l

Very nice!

Switching to the ESP32 was frustrating, but well worth the trouble. I just use the ESP32 DevKit C and Pico. Can't beat it for $10, and it has built in USB. I designed my own clone of the DevKit C to play around with reflow, but the parts cost was around $14 so not a good value proposition.

The .8" displays use 1 LED per segment, and all segments appear to be lit evenly without using different values for current limiting resistors. I use the HT16K33 so no resistors are necessary, and lighting is very even.

The 2.3" displays are a different story. Some segments use two LEDs, and the longer ones use four. A 5v supply won't work, and the HT16K33 can't supply enough current to run them.

newxito

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Nov 5, 2019, 8:34:58 AM11/5/19

to neonixie-l

Thanks for pointing out the HT16K33 issue with big displays!

I’m currently designing a self-made 16 segment display. The limit of my 3D printer is 250mm (9.8”) but I will start with 140 x 100mm (5.5”). First, I wanted to use a HT16K33. After your comment, I thought to use some mosfet to increase the current. But finally, I've decided to use an ATmega328p in I2C slave mode and RGB 5050 LEDs. That needs a lot more current, but I think it’s nice to have full color control.

16seg.jpg

Jon Jackson

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Nov 5, 2019, 10:34:17 AM11/5/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

Is there a web site for the" WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays"?

On Tue, Nov 5, 2019 at 6:35 AM newxito <axt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for pointing out the HT16K33 issue with big displays!

I’m currently designing a self-made 16 segment display. The limit of my 3D printer is 250mm (9.8”) but I will start with 140 x 100mm (5.5”). First, I wanted to use a HT16K33. After your comment, I thought to use some mosfet to increase the current. But finally, I've decided to use an ATmega328p in I2C slave mode and RGB 5050 LEDs. That needs a lot more current, but I think it’s nice to have full color control.

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Michail Wilson

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Nov 5, 2019, 1:12:23 PM11/5/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

I would really like to get the cad and/or stl files. J

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

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Nicholas Stock

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Nov 5, 2019, 1:22:04 PM11/5/19

to 'Greg P' via neonixie-l

Great idea with the 3D printer! Mammoth clock will ensue!

On Tue, Nov 5, 2019 at 5:35 AM newxito <axt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for pointing out the HT16K33 issue with big displays!

I’m currently designing a self-made 16 segment display. The limit of my 3D printer is 250mm (9.8”) but I will start with 140 x 100mm (5.5”). First, I wanted to use a HT16K33. After your comment, I thought to use some mosfet to increase the current. But finally, I've decided to use an ATmega328p in I2C slave mode and RGB 5050 LEDs. That needs a lot more current, but I think it’s nice to have full color control.

newxito

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Nov 5, 2019, 5:40:42 PM11/5/19

to neonixie-l

Here is the STL file. This is just a quick and dirty prototype, the segments are not correctly aligned.

I got the idea from the franlab youtube channel, only 7 segments but really nice design. You can also find some of this 3D printed segment displays on Tinkercad.

16 Segment display with dot.stl

Mitch

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Nov 6, 2019, 7:53:33 AM11/6/19

to neonixie-l

Nice! Full color will make a very interesting display.

See unexpectedmaker.com for 7 and 14 segment RGB displays. He also has a nice, 4 digit RGB clock for sale.

Higher current displays can be driven indirectly using the HT16K33. Just use a ULN2803 (and a 74HC04 on the input to invert) on the low side, and two TBD62783s on the high side, with common cathode displays. The inputs to the 74HC04 need pullups, and the inputs to the TBD, pulldowns. I figured it out finally after asking lots of questions and spending a week of time breadboarding. It's probably a five minute design project for an EE.

Mitch

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Nov 6, 2019, 8:01:56 AM11/6/19

to neonixie-l

The .8" version is available at www.angryelectrons.co. One kit is left, but more will be put together shortly.

The 2.3" version is not yet available. The displays are made to order with longer leads to leave more room for the RGB backlighting, so it takes a few weeks. Available colors are pure green, blue, super red (that's what they call it), super green, yellow, white, and orange. I'm not sure which ones I'll order, but definitely more than one, and definitely green and orange . Kits will be available by the first of the year.

On Tuesday, November 5, 2019 at 10:34:17 AM UTC-5, Jon D. wrote:

Is there a web site for the" WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays"?

On Tue, Nov 5, 2019 at 6:35 AM newxito <axt...@gmail.com> wrote:

Thanks for pointing out the HT16K33 issue with big displays!

I’m currently designing a self-made 16 segment display. The limit of my 3D printer is 250mm (9.8”) but I will start with 140 x 100mm (5.5”). First, I wanted to use a HT16K33. After your comment, I thought to use some mosfet to increase the current. But finally, I've decided to use an ATmega328p in I2C slave mode and RGB 5050 LEDs. That needs a lot more current, but I think it’s nice to have full color control.

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newxito

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Nov 7, 2019, 11:18:24 AM11/7/19

to neonixie-l

That sounds quite complicated, thanks for sharing!

newxito

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Nov 13, 2019, 2:04:42 PM11/13/19

to neonixie-l

Here is the working 16 segment display. The board has 27 LEDs (5050). For the led diffusers, I reversed the 3d design and used translucent filament. No glue is needed, the diffusers can just be pressed into the case, they fit perfectly. Still experimenting with the thickness and quality, I started with 3mm, low quality (photo). Probably I will end up with 2mm diffusers, maybe with 3mm spots just over the LEDs.

If all LEDs are set to max brightness, the display draws about 1A. I’m planning an 8-digit word clock, so I will use a 10A power supply to be on the safe side.

16seg_1.jpg

16seg_2.jpg

Michail Wilson

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Nov 13, 2019, 5:48:28 PM11/13/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

Love it.

We demand more details and pics! ;)

Where da kits at?

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of newxito
Sent: Wednesday, November 13, 2019 11:05 AM
To: neonixie-l
Subject: [neonixie-l] Re: WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays

Here is the working 16 segment display. The board has 27 LEDs (5050). For the led diffusers, I reversed the 3d design and used translucent filament. No glue is needed, the diffusers can just be pressed into the case, they fit perfectly. Still experimenting with the thickness and quality, I started with 3mm, low quality (photo). Probably I will end up with 2mm diffusers, maybe with 3mm spots just over the LEDs.

If all LEDs are set to max brightness, the display draws about 1A. I’m planning an 8-digit word clock, so I will use a 10A power supply to be on the safe side.

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Nathan Diniz

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Nov 14, 2019, 11:43:43 AM11/14/19

to neonixie-l

Anyone got a website I can go to where I can get the documentation for this? This is an incredible thing!!!

Michail Wilson

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Nov 14, 2019, 12:48:11 PM11/14/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

I don’t think WodClock-2 exists in the wild yet.

-1 exists here….. http://angryelectrons.co/wordclock-1

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Nathan Diniz
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 8:44 AM
To: neonixie-l
Subject: [neonixie-l] Re: WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays

Anyone got a website I can go to where I can get the documentation for this? This is an incredible thing!!!

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Mitch

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Nov 15, 2019, 8:15:14 AM11/15/19

to neonixie-l

Not yet. It will be available when the displays are delivered sometime in December. Documentation will be the same as WordClock-1, at www.angryelectrons.co/WordClock-1.

WordClock-1 is sold out. More will be available around December 1st, after that, no more. Several LED color options will be offered including Greenish (original), Pure Green, Orange, Blue, and White.

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 12:48:11 PM UTC-5, M1 wrote:

I don’t think WodClock-2 exists in the wild yet.

-1 exists here….. http://angryelectrons.co/wordclock-1

Michail Wilson
206-920-6312

From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Nathan Diniz
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2019 8:44 AM
To: neonixie-l
Subject: [neonixie-l] Re: WordClock-2 with 2.3" displays

Anyone got a website I can go to where I can get the documentation for this? This is an incredible thing!!!

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Mitch

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Nov 15, 2019, 8:24:35 AM11/15/19

to neonixie-l

Also, there will be a IV-17 version.

Michail Wilson

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Dec 21, 2019, 11:35:43 AM12/21/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

Mitch,

Have a coupon code for us neonixie peepz?

Michail Wilson

206-920-6312

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Nicholas Stock

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Dec 21, 2019, 11:56:58 AM12/21/19

to neoni...@googlegroups.com

Man, those displays are bright!!! Great clock Mitch!!

Sent from my iPhone

On Dec 21, 2019, at 08:35, Michail Wilson <M...@michail.com> wrote:

To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/000a01d5b81c%24adcd5dd0%2409681970%24%40com.

Mitch

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Dec 22, 2019, 7:35:11 AM12/22/19

to neonixie-l

Thanks, Nick!

Michail, I tried to price the kit competitively with other kits that have similar parts counts and capabilities.

The WordClock-2 displays arrived with almost $500 in tariffs and duties. I don't have the details yet from DHL, I just wanted the packages to be released after being held hostage in Miami for a week. We'll see when the invoice arrives.I think the tariff accounts for about half, but I am happy to pay it.

Only two WordClock-2 kits are available to ship Monday. After that, we wait for more pc boards. They should arrive before the Chinese Lunar New Year at the end of January.