Finished A 6-Digit IN-12 Clock Kit

[Robert G. Schaffrath]

I recently purchased an universal clock board from AliExpress and after about a month it arrived (https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000132236381.html):

First off, I knew the board expected the tubes to be soldered so I ordered a strip of 100 gold plated socket pins on eBay:

  

The pins extended the tube about 7mm above the socket plate which was okay with me:

I assembled the first tube assembly and had it ready for mounting:

 

Finally made it to three tubes and then four. After I installed the third I tested the board and discovered the IN-12B Nixie dated "10 79" was non functional. Testing later on with a small Tesla coil showed it to have lost vacuum. I contacted the eBay seller and he said he would replace it:

I finished the board up, replaced the defective IN-12B, installed four INS-1 "dots" (it came with NE-2 bulbs) and it is up and running. I have the background LED's change color automatically every 30 minutes. The board firmware is somewhat limited in functionality but it does work:

[Michail Wilson]

It’s amazing how cheap these kits are now.

 

 

Michail

 

 

[Robert G. Schaffrath]

I know. With the 11/11 "Singles" sale on AliExpress today, they have gotten even cheaper. I ordered up two QS30-1 units for ~USD$26 each for my ZM1022's. I already have two of that model and I really like them so I will have a few more to possibly give as gifts (I still have 17 NOS ZM1022's on hand). I also ordered three four-tube IN-12 clocks at ~USD$25 each. One I am already giving to a non-techie friend as a Christmas gift who has been very interested in them since I showed him a few clocks recently. He is not up to the point of soldering or kit building so I will put a 4 digit one together for him. I still have a USD$21 IN-14 board I just received that I am going to use with Rodan GR-111p's. The pinout is different but I have already mapped out the differences. They should work fine and they have real 5's.

[Terry S]

Did the clock include open source software and schematics?

[blkadder]

I picked up a couple of these IN-14 boards, and the ones I got were really cheap.  There are no schematics, nor any directions at all.  I put them together, and the do what you want them to do, display the time.  Not a problem for me, but some might not appreciate the 24hr format.

I sent them to my nephew who is serving overseas.  He is going to use one to display UTC time, and one for local.  I am hoping I see some pics of them.

I have been blown away with the sudden availability of these boards from Ali Express to Amazon.

Anyway, when I get some pics, I will have to show them.

Ron