SP-431 panaplex displays, looking for opinions on whether to desolder from module

[ZY]

Hello. I have this old and dusty module that contains 2x SP-431 panaplex displays. They seem to still have gas in them, but I can only get the plus sign and some keep-alive dots to turn on as I don't know the low-level logic of the module.

I'm wondering if I should just desolder the displays to use in a clock, or not desolder and try to restore functionality to the whole module? IMO I don't think the module itself has any value, and I think it's some counter for some lab equipment so it wouldn't really work for any clock even if I figure out the communications. But just in case it has any historical significance I'd thought I'd ask here first.

[ZY]

Pictures attached

[Adam Piórko]

It looks like VFD displays. If the "plus" is lit, the module seems to be functioning properly. If you enjoy reverse engineering, you can try to make a clock from this module. Two things need to be discovered.

1. How to send a digit? If it's a counter, it might be challenging. Incrementing by +1 might be too slow, and digit changes will be visible.
2. It's unknown if there's a reset to zero (reset function) - if not, you'll have to add up to 999999. 

You can make a 24-hour clock out of it. There's no "AM/PM" - unless you add it on the side or skip it.

niedziela, 22 października 2023 o 13:47:29 UTC+2 ZY napisał(a):

Pictures attached

[leo oel]

Hello
I made a "Clock" on a similar one, only I have the model SP-494 and SP-492

https://twitter.com/leoloel/status/1662535750393495552

a few photos

понедельник, 23 октября 2023 г. в 16:43:29 UTC+3, Adam Piórko:

[gregebert]

NICE FIND !!! 

  Based on the size-comparison with the DIP ICs/resistors, these look like large displays....maybe 2 inches tall ? If they really are that big then you definitely want to make a gizmo, probably a clock, with these. It looks like they are direct-drive, and since the IC's appear to be socketed you might be able to remove them and do some individual segment testing to see how healthy the displays are before you start the process of reverse-engineering or redesigning a new board.

[ZY]

I think they are these displays: https://www.tubeclockdb.com/on-ebay/179-babcock-sp-431
The camera angle is not great but yea the displays are quite big, with like 2" high digits.

Good point with the socketed ICs. I might try that route first before soldering, but I'll also try to map out some of the input side to see what the actual logic is (if it counts or it's decoding or something).

In the end though if the actual PCB itself is not some valuable vintage thing, I'd rather desolder the it for my own clock as I can get a better form factor. The whole thing is very big, a bit dirty, and is very heavy so it doesn't really make a good display piece as is.

[Yohan Park]

You can use the + as a PM indicator

[Richard Scales]

If it was me - I would remove the displays and make an 8 digit panaplex clock, as Yohan said, if you want a 12hr clock then use the plus symbol as an am/pm indicator - otherwise - make it a 24hr clock and perhaps use the plus symbol for something else. I have made many different panaplex clocks, all direct drive using HV5x22 or HV5x30 drivers and i would apply the same design to these displays.

 - Richard

[kosbo.com]

Hi, I had  SP-431 clocks,  if interested, please pm me I might have a few boards in stock 

https://www.kosbo.com/clocks/4-digits-slim-design-sp431-panaplex-clock.html

All the best, Konstantin