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Author Topic: Nixie Clock Project  (Read 11236 times)

Offline rich83

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Nixie Clock Project
« on: February 07, 2011, 07:10:59 pm »
So, after seeing cmrdfires nixie clock on flickr i decided that, (a) i had to have one and (b) making one would make a nice little project.

Incase you are wondering what the dickens a nixie clock is, here is crmdfires (i hope you dont mind, i stole your photo). It uses six Nixie Tubes (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixie_tube) to display the digits (a precursor to the 7 segment LCD), and a crystal oscillator so it should keep fairly good time.



I have just bitten the bullet and bought a kit from ebay with all the components and tubes included.  :scared:
(http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=170599309405&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOIBSA:GB:1123#ht_5811wt_1095)

I shall update this thread when start burning my fingers and swearing at resistors!

Rich
« Last Edit: February 07, 2011, 07:14:30 pm by richwig83 »

Offline apollo13

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2011, 07:13:19 pm »
Love it!  :happy2:

Rich could you post the fleabay link to the kit??
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Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2011, 07:14:44 pm »
 :happy2: Updated!

Offline apollo13

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2011, 07:18:24 pm »
Nice one Rich  :happy2:

I think I'd like to mount mine under some stainless steel similar to the example in the listing.

Could get a mate of mine to water jet it out for me.
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Offline Poppa Dom

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2011, 07:22:07 pm »
I was expecting to read where in the Eddy it was going to get installed.

Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2011, 07:25:52 pm »
OMG... that would be awesome mounted so it comes out of the vent on the top of the dash  :grin:

Offline Hedge

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2011, 07:37:16 pm »
Do they do a Nixie boost gauge?  :signLOL:

Offline Poppa Dom

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2011, 07:41:52 pm »
OMG... that would be awesome mounted so it comes out of the vent on the top of the dash  :grin:
Some how I feel responsible for a hair brained idea that someone may be devising  :signLOL:

Offline Beddie

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2011, 08:19:26 pm »
I Frickin' love these things!  :happy2:


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Offline cmdrfire

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2011, 10:38:11 pm »
No worries Rich  :happy2:

'cos I'm a geek, I wrote a little writeup when I built mine a couple of years ago.
http://www.cmdr-fire.co.uk/blog/?page_id=155

Another piccy:



@people saying to put them in the Eddy, here's a guy from Australia who's fitted a Nixie tacho...
http://hooniverse.com/2011/01/24/everyone-needs-a-nixie-tacho/




Wouldn't recommend that though!

Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2011, 10:59:59 pm »
Haha... that is insane!  :stupid:

Ive just one worry... these things carry 170V to some of the board, do you have to be carful handling them one they have been unplugged?

I plan to make a case for it maybe out of wood.  :smiley:

Rich
« Last Edit: February 07, 2011, 11:01:46 pm by richwig83 »

Offline cmdrfire

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2011, 11:19:51 pm »
I've shocked myself once off mine while it was still plugged in, it's a DC voltage but very low current so it's only a tingle. Wouldn't worry about it too much once disconnected as the caps discharge pretty quick.

Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2011, 11:23:44 pm »
Great, im sure ill be in your ribs during the assembly  :signLOL:

Im thinking of a case like this, but with a white top.




Rich

Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2011, 12:16:25 pm »
And so.... it begins!  :signLOL:


Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr


Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr


Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr


Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr

Now to maplins to get some bits and bobs.

Rich
« Last Edit: February 10, 2011, 12:18:58 pm by richwig83 »

Offline rich83

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Re: Nixie Clock Project
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2011, 12:35:08 pm »
New soldering iron purchased. My old one decided to turn "F1 exhaust pipe red" and over heat!  :confused:



Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr



Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr



Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr

I took advice from cmdfire and used a socket for the nixie driver so as not to cook it. (thanks)



Nixie Clock by Rich Wigley, on Flickr