6 Digit Direct-Drive B7971 clock kit

[MichaelB]

To all,

As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
my site: http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and
also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)
http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some
inquiries about offering a kit like the clock you see here. It would
be complete with the acrylic top, drilled and tapped base plate, colon
towers and the whole nine yards. So, we’re trying to determine if
there is enough interest to make an initial run of 10 kits. We are not
sure of the selling price yet, but our driving force here is to offer
a product to the community that fills a void, not try to gouge our
brethren.

Note the aluminum fab’d bracket mounting the rotary encoder. This will
be replaced with a right angle rotary that will mount directly to the
PCB. Carl plans to do a little more tweaking to the software as well.
Also there is a fair amount of SMD component soldering involved by the
user and the kit will be offered without tubes.

Here is a list of the feature set as it stands now.

==Unique Rotary Encoder User interface

==Auto Display dimming feature via photo sensor

==Adjustable DIM and Brightness levels with Adjustable Dimming
threshold

==QuickTime Set feature- quickly and easily set current time without
entering config. mode

==9 Selectable FONTS

==Clock spells out the Month and Day of the week, also displays date
and year

==Four user selectable colon modes- OFF, ON, BLINK, ALT, or RAILRD
(railroad)

== TCXO time based

==Time On/Time Off sleep setting

==Smooth Digit Cross Fade feature with fade rate adjust.

==12/24 hour display mode selection

==Leading Zero Suppression selection

==Adjustable Pulse width Modulation setting value.

==Light Value Test Feature to determine optimal dimming point

==CW/CCW Rotary encoder direction selection

Your feedback is appreciated!

[Mich...@aol.com]

I think we all know I am already interested.

 

Michail Wilson

[MichaelB]

Thx Michail

On Feb 25, 11:24 am, Micha...@aol.com wrote:
> I think we all know I am already interested.
>
> Michail  Wilson
>
> In a message dated 2/25/2011 11:21:32 A.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
>

[jack]

I would be interested in a PCB and a copy of the software ( what chip are you using here?) . Please let me know via PM ( ja...@buechler.org) how to get the specialised pieces and / or circuit and / or overlay and other stuff.

How do you make the NEON towers - can you explain that a bit?

I am a great fan of using GPS - for the following reasons:
1.The clock can self set it self - even if the power is pulled - it will re-find the correct time. 'Very new meets old'.
2. The accuracy is Stratum 1 - and can be resynchronised every 1 second
3. GPS modules are low cost - especially serial ones like the Motorola encore which also gives a 1pps output as well.
4. Offsets are easy to use and program from UTC - could even deal with half hour offsets
5. Totally global - no issue with things like rugby or other such radio types. Good for US or European or Asian.

To this end, I am using some Smart sockets and have just started to build up the hardware nad will start the software as well to do a 6 digit nixie clock. GPS driven.

To all,

==9 Selectable FONTS

== TCXO time based

==Leading Zero Suppression selection

Your feedback is appreciated!

--
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[caliburgers]

Hi,
I also would be interested in obtaining one of these kits.

Regards,
Don

Sent from my iPhone

> <AVG Certification.txt>

[Quixotic Nixotic]

My spies tell me that Jens Boos is writing an article for Elektor
soon and Elektor is looking for inspired nixie usage.

See http://www.elektor.com/news/calling-all-nixie-tube-fans.
1722197.lynkx?utm_source=UK&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=news

JS

[MichaelB]

Thanks, Don!

On Feb 25, 12:30 pm, caliburgers <caliburg...@verizon.net> wrote:
> Hi,
> I also would be interested in obtaining one of these kits.
>
> Regards,
> Don
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

> On Feb 25, 2011, at 3:25 PM, jack <j...@buechler.org> wrote:
>
>
>
> > I would be interested in a PCB and a copy of the software ( what chip are you using here?) . Please let me know via PM ( j...@buechler.org) how to get the specialised pieces and / or circuit and / or overlay and other stuff.

>
> > How do you make the NEON towers - can you explain that a bit?
>
> > I am a great fan of using GPS - for the following reasons:
> > 1.The clock can self set it self - even if the power is pulled - it will re-find the correct time. 'Very new meets old'.
> > 2. The accuracy is Stratum 1 - and can be resynchronised every 1 second
> > 3. GPS modules are low cost - especially serial ones like the Motorola encore which also gives a 1pps output as well.
> > 4. Offsets are easy to use and program from UTC  - could even deal with half hour offsets
> > 5. Totally global - no issue with things like rugby or other such radio types. Good for US or European or Asian.
>
> > To this end, I am using some Smart sockets and have just started to build up the hardware nad will start the software as well to do a 6 digit nixie clock. GPS driven.
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of MichaelB
> > Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 7:21 PM
> > To: neonixie-l
> > Cc: hcarl...@gmail.com
> > Subject: [neonixie-l] 6 Digit Direct-Drive B7971 clock kit
>
> > To all,
>

> > As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6 digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB's made per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top version of his clock using Carl's software which can be seen here on my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and also on Brian Stuckey's site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some inquiries about offering a kit like the clock you see here. It would be complete with the acrylic top, drilled and tapped base plate, colon towers and the whole nine yards. So, we're trying to determine if there is enough interest to make an initial run of 10 kits. We are not sure of the selling price yet, but our driving force here is to offer a product to the community that fills a void, not try to gouge our brethren.

>
> > Note the aluminum fab'd bracket mounting the rotary encoder. This will be replaced with a right angle rotary that will mount directly to the PCB. Carl plans to do a little more tweaking to the software as well.
> > Also there is a fair amount of SMD component soldering involved by the user and the kit will be offered without tubes.
>
> > Here is a list of the feature set as it stands now.
>
> > ==Unique Rotary Encoder User interface
>
> > ==Auto Display dimming feature via photo sensor
>
> > ==Adjustable DIM and Brightness levels with Adjustable Dimming threshold
>
> > ==QuickTime Set feature- quickly and easily set current time without entering config. mode
>
> > ==9 Selectable FONTS
>
> > ==Clock spells out the Month and Day of the week, also displays date and year
>
> > ==Four user selectable colon modes- OFF, ON, BLINK, ALT, or RAILRD
> > (railroad)
>
> > == TCXO time based
>
> > ==Time On/Time Off sleep setting
>
> > ==Smooth Digit Cross Fade feature with fade rate adjust.
>
> > ==12/24 hour display mode selection
>
> > ==Leading Zero Suppression selection
>
> > ==Adjustable Pulse width Modulation setting value.
>
> > ==Light Value Test Feature to determine optimal dimming point
>
> > ==CW/CCW Rotary encoder direction selection
>
> > Your feedback is appreciated!
>
> > --
> > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group.
> > To post to this group, send an email to neoni...@googlegroups.com.
> > To unsubscribe from this group, send email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com.

> > For more options, visit this group athttp://groups.google.com/group/neonixie-l?hl=en-GB.

[Mike Stute]

I'm in...

===

[Lucky]

It's got my interest for sure

On 25 Feb, 19:21, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
>
>

[Adam Jacobs]

Do all of you guys already have B-7971's that you've been waiting to put in a clock? I thought that the B-7971 was pretty much unobtainium these days...

-Adam

[Zane Faught]

I'm in for one.
Regards,
Zane

-----Original Message-----
From: neoni...@googlegroups.com [mailto:neoni...@googlegroups.com] On
Behalf Of MichaelB
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 11:21 AM
To: neonixie-l
Cc: hcar...@gmail.com
Subject: [neonixie-l] 6 Digit Direct-Drive B7971 clock kit

To all,

==9 Selectable FONTS

== TCXO time based

==Leading Zero Suppression selection

Your feedback is appreciated!

--

[Larry]

I'm interested if tubes are available.

[Herb Moise]

I would most definitely take one of the kits!

[Mich...@aol.com]

Well, I have been sitting on tubes for about a year.   Just waiting to put them into something.

 

unobtainium?  Nope, still always an auction or two on ebay.   Prices go from $50 to way up.

 

Michail

[Dave]

Michael,
do you sell just the PCB?
If yes, can you post where to send for info.
thanks.

On Feb 25, 2:21 pm, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
> version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
> my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and

> also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some

[drhydro]

Oh, man! Yes, I want one.... two if possible! I'd take a bare board or the whole kit, or any combination.

[MichaelB]

Hi Dave, We will probably sell just the PCB's separately, but at this
point we are redesigning them and have yet to have them run.

[MichaelB]

Thanks for all the GREAT feedback. There seems to be enough interest
for us to go ahead with the project and develop the kits for sale. I
expect it will take us about 2 months before everything is ready to go
and once we have a handle on our costs will post the selling prices.
Thanks again

On Feb 25, 11:21 am, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
> version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
> my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and

> also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some

[GreyFox]

Would be very interested in this kit for sure!

Not sure what the tubes go for now but hopefully would be able to get
a set or two.

John

[MichaelB]

Great! Thanks GreyFox, we'll put you on the list of those to be
notified!

[Lawrence Stoskopf]

Put me on the list also. Lawrence stoskopf

Sent from my iPhone

[MichaelB]

You got it, Lawrence!

On Mar 2, 4:52 pm, Lawrence Stoskopf <stosk...@tri.net> wrote:
> Put me on the list also. Lawrence stoskopf
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>

[Mich...@aol.com]

John,

 

eBay.   We all just watched a set (2x tubes, sockets, drivers) go for $110 total.  he had 3 extra fulls sets which he sold at the same price to the buyer.    :(

 

Michail

[Dave]

I would be interested in a PCB and access to either the uP hex file or
a burned uP.

On Feb 25, 2:21 pm, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:

> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
> version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
> my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and

> also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some

[MichaelB]

HI Dave, per my earlier response, we are still working on the PCB
redesign.

[xdugef]

I'm interested in this kit!!

Adrian

On 25 Feb, 11:21, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
> version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
> my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and

> also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some

[N0UU]

A HV kill/activate input line would be nice. These priceless tubes
have a lifetime and I would attach a motion detector to activate the
display only when someone was looking. Would keep these around longer.

[jf...@my-deja.com]

Paranoia. I built three clocks (18 tubes) with B7971s that have been
running 24/7 for 30-35 years without failure. I might have gotten
lucky, but I did not do anything special for reliability or to extend
the operating life. My only concession to that issue was to purchase
spare tubes that are still waiting to be used.

[xdugef]

Well would having the display deactivate save power or is that an
oxymoron?

[stos...@tri.net]

Guess the data sheet is very conservative.

[MichaelB]

Great. Thanks Adrian. You're on the list

[MichaelB]

Software does allow user to designate an OFF/ON period to preserve
tube life/

On Mar 4, 8:39 am, N0UU <stosk...@tri.net> wrote:

[jf...@my-deja.com]

On Mar 4, 7:54 pm, stosk...@tri.net wrote:
> Guess the data sheet is very conservative.
> > Well would having the display deactivate save power or is that an
> > oxymoron?
>
> > On 4 Mar, 17:24, "jf...@my-deja.com" <jf...@my-deja.com> wrote:
> >> Paranoia. I built three clocks (18 tubes) with B7971s that have been
> >> running 24/7 for 30-35 years without failure. I might have gotten
> >> lucky, but I did not do anything special for reliability or to extend
> >> the operating life. My only concession to that issue was to purchase
> >> spare tubes that are still waiting to be used.
>

The data sheets were probably written after less than one year of
accelerated life tests and based on assuming certain failure modes.
I read them as the manufacturer's guarantee to the design engineer and
not actual projected failure dates based on experience. We now have
information based on 40+ years of experience in real and practical
applications.

By the way, the tubes I used were all suplus, showed obvious evidence
of previous usage (lightened areas under the wire segments), and had
probably already seen 5-15 years of service (12 hours/day, 5 days/
week).

My clocks have linear power supplies. The transformer gets warm. Any
power savings would be negligible.

[stos...@tri.net]

Totally agree. My tubes are the same and are in sockets. Have the
whitening behind the wires. Not sure what the failure mode would be if
the vacuum/neon holds. Awaiting the kits. Thanks, N0UU

[Paul]

Looks like an excellent clock. Add me as interested in a kit also. Thanks

[Ulysses Balis]

Yes, I am very interested!

Thanks!

U. Balis

[Ulysses J. Balis]

As a related question for this design, how do you carry out the excitation of nixie cathodes without the use of high voltage transistors?  Does the microcontroller have high-voltage-capable output driver lines?  The parts count appears to be extremely low, which is amazing.

 

Ulysses Balis

[MichaelB]

Thanks Paul, Consider yourself added.

[MichaelB]

Thanks Ulysses. We'll let you know.!

[MichaelB]

There's an HV5522PG under each paired tube board that takes care of
the HV switching. However, I am not the designer of the electronics.
Carl Ott of this forum is and can speak to this in much greater detail
than I.

On Mar 6, 3:38 pm, "Ulysses J. Balis" <ulba...@gmail.com> wrote:
> As a related question for this design, how do you carry out the excitation of nixie cathodes without the use of high voltage transistors?  Does the microcontroller have high-voltage-capable output driver lines?  The parts count appears to be extremely low, which is amazing.
>
> Ulysses Balis
>

> From: Ulysses Balis [mailto:ulba...@gmail.com]
> Sent: Sunday, March 06, 2011 6:19 PM
> To: neoni...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] 6 Digit Direct-Drive B7971 clock kit
>
> Yes, I am very interested!
>
> Thanks!
>
> U. Balis
>

> On Fri, Feb 25, 2011 at 2:21 PM, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
>
> To all,
>
> As some of you may know, Carl Ott of this forum has done a wonderful 6
> digit direct-drive clock design for the B7971. I have been working
> with Carl and another forum member and have had a batch of PCB’s made
> per his gerber files. This has resulted in my building an open-top
> version of his clock using Carl’s software which can be seen here on
> my site:  http://www.badnixie.com/The_%22Modular%22_Nixie.html and

> also on Brian Stuckey’s site: (scroll down a bit)http://www.tubeclockdb.com/nixie-clocks.html We have received some

> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com <mailto:neonixie-l%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com> .

[Dirk Sleutjes]

So if I am right the "kit" is only the PCB's? I would be more
interested in a whole kit, with tubes, casing and rest of components.
And still depending on the price. If these tubes are too hard to get
then I would have the PCB's but not a working clock.
Finding all the right smd components would also be quite a tedious
job.
A kit as in PCB's plus all the components but without the tubes and
maybe without the casing would already make more sense.
However it is really a nice clock so I will follow the progress and
see what you'll make of it.

Do I see it correctly that the seconds in the video go way too fast?
Or does the earth move faster over there where you live? :P

Dirk Sleutjes

[MichaelB]

Our intent is to offer the complete kit WITHOUT tubes. This will
include the five PCB's, all electrical components and hardware, the
colon tower components, the base as well as the acrylic top. And
again, NO TUBES. We will probably offer the PCB's + components + Base
as an optional purchase. The base is not only decorative, but I think
you'll find it necessary to mount and align the 5 PCB's accurately.

And yes, time does move a little quicker here in Los Angeles so that
may account for what you're seeing. :-)

[Mich...@aol.com]

Strange.   I knew there was something to living in the area.

 

Glad I moved to Seattle.   Slower the time runs, the longer I will live.

Of course, helping is probably that I am not breathing the smog anymore either.

 

Michail Wilson

[xdugef]

Another thing I'd really like to see in this clock is the ability to
have it scroll texts.

[Jeff Thomas]

On Mar 7, 5:31 pm, xdugef <i...@xdugef.com> wrote:
> Another thing I'd really like to see in this clock is the ability to
> have it scroll texts.

Too Funny!

I was thinking something similar, and have it scroll time information
with variable degree of accuracy set in menu ;)

Five after six

Quarter before Five

Half past eleven

noon

beer thirty (my fav)

It's very late time so go to bed

Too early to get up

Bonus: have it scroll the joke of the day.



Regards, Jeff

[David Forbes]

On 3/8/11 6:26 AM, Jeff Thomas wrote:
>
> Too Funny!
>
> I was thinking something similar, and have it scroll time information
> with variable degree of accuracy set in menu ;)
>

My wife suggested, for us Arizonans with nice sky:

Go outside and check out the sunset

--
David Forbes, Tucson AZ
http://www.cathodecorner.com/

[Tomislav Kordaso]

Grahame Marsh did something similar, although using VFD.
http://www.sgitheach.org.uk/vfd3a.html

[xdugef]

Haha.. yea I was mostly thinking custom texts but anything to take
more advantage of the ability to display letters would be cool.

[Jeff Thomas]

Wow, Thank You for the link. Grahame did a fine job of it!
And the name is perfect; the Approximate Clock

Regards, Jeff


On Mar 8, 8:23 am, Tomislav Kordaso <tkord...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Grahame Marsh did something similar, although using VFD.http://www.sgitheach.org.uk/vfd3a.html

[MichaelB]

Especially like the "Beer thirty" one, Jeff. We'll have to work on
that!

[Dave]

Understood, just wanted you to add my name to the count when you have
your PCB's run.
Thanks!

On Mar 3, 6:20 pm, MichaelB <mbari...@dslextreme.com> wrote:
> HI Dave, per my earlier response, we are still working on the PCB
> redesign.
>
> On Mar 3, 6:37 am, Dave <ukewarr...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> > I would be interested in a PCB and access to either the uP hex file or
> > a burned uP.