blackelbowfoot ([info]blackelbowfoot) wrote,
@ 2009-05-27 12:05:00
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Current location:at home
Current mood: i miss my canoe
Current music:feeder - feeling the moment

thoughts on a better nixie clock
to get to where i am on my nixie clock has taken over a year of design and mere days to put it together, but i've learned so many things which would help in - if it ever happens - a finalized design. changes i think would benefit the final production run of the nixie clock:

  • use a boost converter instead of rectified mains
  • integrate the boost converter into the atmega16
  • expand the cathode outputs to six per digit
  • cut the case out of a solid block of hardwood
  • use a router to cut the top and bottom panels
mostly these changes are intended to simplify final construction of the clock. for instance, the boost converter had to be placed in the clock essentially as a hack on my current design, so an integrated converter/controller would mean only one circuit board to produce, solder and mount. i've also been forced to make another circuit board to expand the cathode outputs in order to send one wire to each nixie socket, so expanding the outputs on the board eliminates this third pcb. milling the case from solid hardwood can be done with a router and a template, and would produce a much sturdier and easier to handle clock and would eliminate tolerance issues from using several tools to cut each piece of the case.

anyways, that's my two cents worth on nixerv4, if there ever is one. :)

~ brad.

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