One Tube Nimo Clock

[threeneurons]

A couple of months ago, Westdave & I ran across this youtube video: https://youtu.be/xmWg7CtN0Ac

Dave had a small stash of Nimo tubes, and had given me one, a couple of years earlier. That video, started us thinking about doing something with those tubes. In the meantime, A.J. Franzman showed up at a TRW swap meet, after a long absents, and ended up being the source of those tubes, that Dave owns. Found them at C & H Surplus, many years ago (when they still where in Pasadena), and bought out their whole inventory. It wasn't that many tubes. Probably ended up here in the Los Angeles area, since IEE (the maker of the Nimo tube) is based here, and still in business.

I just finished one tube clock. At least the circuit and code. Here's some info on it:

https://threeneurons.wordpress.com/miscellaneous-projects/

https://threeneurons.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/nimo_clock.jpg

https://threeneurons.files.wordpress.com/2017/12/nimo_hv.jpg

Here's a video of it running:

https://youtu.be/3h2t7slt8YM

Now to finish its case. Enjoy.

[Terry S]

I would love to build your clock -- any kits available?

[Dylan Distasio]

I would also be interested!

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[Dekatron42]

Nice!

I like the simple design!

Will this circuit work just as well with the Telefunken XM1000?

/Martin

[threeneurons]

On Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 3:45:19 AM UTC-8, Dekatron42 wrote:

Will this circuit work just as well with the Telefunken XM1000?

/Martin

 Mostly, yes, with minor adjustments. Those being different basing and pinout. 1.5V, 120mA (XM1000) heater versus 1.1V, 200mA (Nimo) heater. 

Bigger issue is getting your hands on either type tube. These are very rare tubes. 

[orange_glow_fan]

I love it!

Your mind is a bottomless well of creative thinking!

I also like the tube based, phone audio dock!

[Paul Andrews]

That dock is calling to me. This is my current tube-based phone audio dock. It is a little on the large side, and has lots of other superfluous stuff in it ;-)

[Nick]

Interesting! I have a bunch of IEE 6000-31-0000s that need a use, as well as some XM1000s and BA 0000-P31s. Big problem s the holders...

These are all P31 phosphors - green or yellow-green see http://www.bunkerofdoom.com/tubes/crt/crt_phosphor_research.pdf  - implication is a peak counting speed of about 1kHz.

Would love to see a kit.

Nick

[threeneurons]

On Tuesday, January 2, 2018 at 5:45:22 AM UTC-8, Paul Andrews wrote:

That dock is calling to me. 

In my infinite laziness, delaying finishing it, that dock spent a year looking like:

I chose the 6AQ5 for the output, since it was probably the most used output tube in TV sets in the tube era. And the 12AV6 because of all those AA5 radios out there. Two of the most common tubes, towards the end of the tube days.

[threeneurons]

The IEE parts use a common "compactron" base. The odd connection, is that anode "nib", at the side. I'm not going to use a socket, for the finished version, and the anode will be connected by way of a cushioned clamp, along the lines that Fran used (in the original video).  I don't know what those XM1000s use, but it could be pure unobtanium.

I'm pondering, a single digit nixie clock kit, which will use most of the same code. Also will be adding a mod in the instructions, to adapt it to these tubes. Instead of adding an RTC to the board, I'll leave a connector that will allow plugging in an Arduino RTC "breakout" board: