SmartSocket for VFD

Benoit Tourret

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Dec 20, 2024, 5:50:01 AM12/20/24

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Hello,

Do you know if there is an equivalent of the SmartSocket for a IV-4 / IV-17 vfd tube ?

and for SP-252 ?

regards,

Benoit.

Paul Andrew Lafranchise

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Dec 20, 2024, 11:22:29 AM12/20/24

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I modified a PICBASIC version of the SmartSock source to add a font for DG12B VFDs. The same process would work for other VFD tubes. The SmartSocket PDF mentions user defined characters (UDCs) which sound like they could be used to map to different tube segment layouts but I have not tried this yet.

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Mac Doktor

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Dec 20, 2024, 12:39:21 PM12/20/24

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On Dec 20, 2024, at 5:50 AM, Benoit Tourret <benoit....@gmail.com> wrote:

Do you know if there is an equivalent of the SmartSocket for a IV-4 / IV-17 vfd tube ?

Yes but I don't know how complete the software is. It's been a while since I looked at it. The surface mount parts scared me off. You should join the Smartsockets group:

https://groups.io/g/smartsockets/

I have eighteen IV-14s. Sixteen would look fabulous. I also have four 5971s. Hmm...

Terry Bowman, KA4HJH

"The Mac Doctor"

https://www.astarcloseup.com

"I wouldn't join any club that would have me as a member."—Groucho Marx

Richard Scales

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Dec 21, 2024, 12:59:50 AM12/21/24

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+1 for the Smart Socket group - it could do with a surge in activity!
I have made smart sockets for B-5971, B-7971, ZM1350, SP-101, SP-252 and some EL displays.
I am currently constructing a B-7971 based device and am deliberating on the number of tubes to use. I'd love to make it 12 but I think that would be cumbersome, not to mention $£$£$£$£$£$£$£!

Yes, the with the UDC part of the Smart Socket you can define any character to be made up from the available segments of your target display device.

- Richard

Richard Scales

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Dec 21, 2024, 1:07:17 AM12/21/24

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Sorry Benoit - I completely missed the point of your original query.

Yes, SP-252 Smart Sockets 'R' us!

The SP-252 has in fact got two actual digits in each physical display so my solution was to make the original smart socket design as small as possible and use two of them per display.

Accordingly, I have a socket for the actual display into which two of my smart socket PCB's plug. These in turn plug in to a back plane PCB which carries the power supplies and micro controller.

My design is for 12 digits using 6 x SP-252 displays and it shows time, date, temp, pressure, humidity and one of 10 user defined strings which are all configurable from a web-gui. The clock syncs time via NTP.

Please send me a PM if you have any queries or are interested in a kit for this design.

- Richard

Benoit Tourret

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Dec 29, 2024, 10:23:00 AM12/29/24

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Thanks to all.

I will ask on smartsocket group

I just modified a bunch of B-7971 boards for 16 segments LED, just for fun, using Taylor Electronics schematics tayloredge.com - 1386SmartSocket

I also could flash a pic16F, I was rather used to work on ATmega ans ESP's.
My goal is to have an unique sw interface for time or messages display, whatever using Led, Nixies or VFD devices...

Richard, Your devices are so wonderfull...