***Official Electronics Thread of Officialness (it starts off with lots of Nixie Tube Clock goodness
- Thread starter Aod
- Start date
Man of Honour
Hehehehe.
Remember people, always do your nixie research before hitting the buy button and ending up with worthless glass
I love researching nixies.
Research is underway. 
Man of Honour
I love researching nixies.
And make sure you put any useful findings here. I'm very tempted to build one.
Soldato
IN-8's are electrically identical to IN-8-2's but have solid pins instead of solderable wires
Which Kit are you looking at? there are ones available that come with little individual sockets
This kit http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=35
These tubes http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-8-IN8-..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item3a627bd804
A match?
I don't think I understand the cold cathode thing. Is the power supply the same as normal valves? I.e. 6V for the heater and an HT? I'm trying to work out if I can pog something together with what I've got sat in the drawer.
No heater.
So is it just the HT and 12V (or whatever you need) to run the solid state stuff? What voltage can the HT's on those valves run at? Can they just run on rectified mains voltage or is that going to be too high?
Man of Honour
I've decided. I'm going to make one of these. I might add a build log either here or in another thread. I'm thinking where to house it though, ideally I want it to look steampunk themed, so perhaps an old broken radio or something? Any ideas?
Associate
I've been looking around at various options. Is the www.pvelectronics.co.uk website the best place to go? There are a few other sites I've seen by googling around. But most are in Europe somewhere, and often seem more expensive
Commissario
I can't say how tempted I am but I have far too many projects on the go right now.
I see PVElectronics have some kits with tubes for a good price and despite what I've said above, I'm almost poised with the plastic!
I see PVElectronics have some kits with tubes for a good price and despite what I've said above, I'm almost poised with the plastic!
Associate
Yeah, I can't see tubes any cheaper on ebay. And you know if you get them from PV in the kit, they will match the boards...
Execept some IN-16's here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-16-IN1..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item3a69597dca
So options are either
Z570M kit with tubes
IN-14 kit with tubes
or
IN-16 kit without tubes, and buy some from ebay
Some guidance would be appreciated, but considering I had barely heard of these things until yesterday I think I'm doing quite well
Execept some IN-16's here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-16-IN1..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item3a69597dca
So options are either
Z570M kit with tubes
IN-14 kit with tubes
or
IN-16 kit without tubes, and buy some from ebay
Some guidance would be appreciated, but considering I had barely heard of these things until yesterday I think I'm doing quite well
This is amazing. Ive never heard of these before but since reading this thread Im hooked.
Found this on ebay, good purchase?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-14-Nix..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item27be024cbe
Found this on ebay, good purchase?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-14-Nix..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item27be024cbe
Associate
Here's mine. Got it a couple of years ago.
Ice cool! Love it in it's stand. Did you make or buy, I suck at soldering too. That just looks fab, thanks OP I've never seen these before, now enlightened
Soldato
I would potentially be tempted, but since every electronics project i've ever tried has failed miserably (from a fuse tester to a LM386 guitar amp) i don't think it's the best idea to jump back in with something of this magnitude. Plus i'd probably need a new soldering iron, considering mine isn't really fit for precision work and i left it on too long once and i didn't know you had to cover the tip in solder before use so it's kind of useless anyway 
I believe so, but you'll want these as well:
http://www.pvelectronics.co.uk/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4_11&products_id=28
the tubes might ride a litle high off the PCB though.
Best thing to do would be to Email PV Electronics and ask if those pin-holders are compatible with the IN-8-2 board, i can't remember the tube hole sizes, i think they're 0.7mm though.
They're directly Ionising the Neon without any heating. they run completely cold, with a +170V DC applied to the anode mesh at the front and the digit of choice is grounded causing illumination
Mostly correct. the tubes to vary in their drive voltage, smaller ones needing less (around 140) and larger ones needing more (up to 220 for the MASSIVE ones). some clocks directly rectify and resistor the 170V DC from mains 240AC, but it's an inelegant design and also means that you've got mains AC on your board, which is never attractive.i think it's more the 140 range.
i thinkthe kits normally use 12v dc in then some Dc-DC converters to ramp it up for the tubes.
but don't quote me o nany of this it's been a long time since i looked
Like i said, usually between 140V to 180V depending on tube size. mine are 170.
Most tubes will run on 240V DC but they'll degrade very quickly and only last a few weeks/months.
THIS HERE is a design (the original design, actually. this page started the Nixie Clock revolution!) that uses rectified and resistored mains AC to drive the whole clock.
That kit is simply the PV Electronics IN-14 kit with their case, they sell on ebay as well as their webstore. their kits are good quality and good value, i'm personally unsure about the aesthetics and value of their cases but otherwise it's a good buy if you're happy with the IN-14 tubes
Yeah, I can't see tubes any cheaper on ebay. And you know if you get them from PV in the kit, they will match the boards...
Execept some IN-16's here: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IN-16-IN1..._Consumer_VintageAudio_RL&hash=item3a69597dca
So options are either
Z570M kit with tubes
IN-14 kit with tubes
or
IN-16 kit without tubes, and buy some from ebay
Some guidance would be appreciated, but considering I had barely heard of these things until yesterday I think I'm doing quite well
You'll occasionally find cheaper tubes on ebay, you need to hunt around and get a little lucky though. those IN-16's you've linked to are somewhat overpriced and also, IN-16s are TINY little tubes, they look pretty miserable compared to the IN-14's and IN-8's that can be had for similar prices.
It's not a very Hard project Feek my man, like I said I completed my clock in a night
I don't know about the best, but their kits are certainly very good quality and was shipped promptly and well packed. have a look at their website and see the instruction manual for their kits, you'll be surprised at how many features their kits have when completed
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This is really cool, I think I may try and make one.
Why would you need so many tubes?
M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-MONSTER POST!
Anyone considering building a big Nixie Kit will appreciate this AWESOME find on ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/super-nix...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item336a14a54e you're all welcome!
Why would you need so many tubes?
you wouldn't, but, that's £160 for 6x IN-18's as well as 6pcs Nos IN-14 nixie tubes + 6pcs Nos IN-12 nixie tubes + 6pcs Nos IN-1 nixie tubes 3pcs + NOS IV-6 vfd 6pcs, whereas six IN-18's on their own costs £150.
you could make two or three more clocks, or you could just sell the extra tubes and probably almost break even
Commissario
Looks like I just ordered the "IN-8-2 Nixie Tube Clock Kit With Tubes Included" kit from PVElectronics.
It was the last one in stock!
It was the last one in stock!