Ok, so I went ahead and started designed my own clock, borrowing heavily from an existing open source design.
Here's what it entails. I have IN-18's and love those tubes, so naturally it uses them. I designed a main module that has the Arduino interface, power supply, control logic, 2 anode drivers, and 2 IN-18 tube socket footprints. At the end of that module there is a 20 pin connector to mate with a 2nd board I designed, identical in shape and size to the main module, but only has the 2 IN-18 socket footprints and the corresponding anode drivers. This slave module also has the 20 pin connector at far end. The result is that a clock can be configured using 1, 2, or 3 modules. If someone wanted, they could build a 2 digit clock (not sure why you would do that) or a 4 digit (my preference) or a 6 digit clock. I will be including provisions for under-tube LED lighting, even though I dislike it, and colons, which I do like. The colons will be controllable. I prefer a flashing colon on 4 digit clocks, and a static colon on 6 digit clocks. Since it's Arduino driven, the end user can do whatever he/she likes as far as timekeeping, (GPS, etc) features, etc. I will be producing a number of boards excess to my needs, so let me know if you are interested. I will NOT be supporting software.... that will be up to you. The board is designed such that the open-source software should work without modification, or with very little, for basic 4 or 6 digit clock functionality. The boards will have both thru-hole and surface mount parts. You will need to be able to solder your own SMT components. Any interest? As far as pricing, I'm only going to be looking to recover my blank board costs. Terry On Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at 10:09:35 AM UTC-6, Terry S wrote: > I know there's a plethora of IN-18 kits out there -- please tell me about > your favorite. I've got tubes and I want to build my own case this time. If > you're selling kits and want to blow your own horn I'm good with that as > well. I'd design my own and have done so in the past, but I know there are > already many choices. > > I can do SMT work no problem, would like a highly featured clock with GPS > sync capability, but it should be able to operate stand-alone as well. > > Would consider either 4 or 6 tube, 6 preferred. LED lighting is > unnecessary, colons are necessary. > > Arduino based would be nice so I can play with the code a little easier, > PIC ok as far as that goes too. > > Compact form factor is a plus, as is low cost. > > Please don't just throw out links.... I can find those. I'd rather hear > about your actual experience with the kit. > > Thanks in advance, > > Terry > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to neonixie-l+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/36f2d014-2779-4a81-b6c1-85b2d05621b9%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
