Nixie tubes are vacuum tubes displays
widely used in electronic equipment during the Cold
War Era.
Developed in the mid '50s by Burroughs, nixie tube
displays were the very first electrical numeric
displays.
Nixie tubes utilizes the phenomenon of glow
discharge of neon gas when high voltage is applied.
Their principle of operation is basically the same
as a regular neon lamps widely used in light
switches.
One major difference is that the nixie tube uses ten
cathodes-digit resembling handwriting numerals.
During Cold War Era nixie tubes were commonly used
in first computers and measuring devices.
In the late '80s nixie tubes were superseded by more
modern LED, VFD, and LCD displays.
However, in post-Soviet Union states nixie tubes
were still being mass-produced till the late '90s.
New Old Stock nixie tubes (NOS) can be still found
in old military surplus warehouses in Russia.
Unlike LED, VFD or LCD displays, nixie tubes have
this unique, mesmerizing and mysterious orange glow.
Nowadays nixie tubes are once again revived in
unique clocks, which bring memories of the Cold War
Era.
Because of this nixie clocks are increasingly
popular among steampunk and retro enthusiasts.
Nixie tube clock
displays time in HH:MM format on 4 IN-12 nixie
displays. Connection of
nixie tube displays with modern electronics
constitutes this original and intriguing timepiece. Tubes
are brand new and comes from old stock (so called
NOS). Offered
clock is assembled with the use of new, high quality
parts and tested. Clock's case is made
from wood painted with durable lacquer and
transparent acrylic enclosure.
Movie demonstrating clock operation: (clock
demonstrated on below movie may have different case
color
but it's operation is exactly the same as the clock
offered on this listing)
Clock features:
Hours and
Minutes display
Precise quartz oscillator as
a time base (ensures high accuracy)
Software
time correction enables adjusting clock's accuracy (±9,9s/day
with 0.1s resolution)
Built-in accumulator ensures
current time backup during power interrupts
(lasts up to 24h)
Settings are stored in
nonvolatile EEPROM memory
Selectable 24 or 12 hours
time displaying format
Selectable
2 modes of left tube's dot (glowing dot indicates
PM or ALARM ON)
Simple time, alarm and menu
setting using only three buttons
Alarm
function
Selectable leading zero
blanking
Auto increase of adjusted
value after holding button for 2s (for quick
setting)
Maintains time during setup
mode (useful when changing between Standard Time and
Daylight Savings Time)
Seconds can be reset to zero
to precisely set the time
Selectable LED backlight
following tubes brightness
One button for switching
LED backlight on/off
Programmable timed tubes
dimming or blanking mode
(tubes can be dimmed or blanked during night for
extending their life expectancy)
Programmable tubes
exercising routines
(tubes exercising prevents cathode poisoning and extends nixie tubes
life expectancy.
3 exercising routines available - cycling, cycling
with scrolling or slot machine
activated every 0, 1, 10, 60min or 24h)
Technical specification:
Clock
condition: new
Clock
dimensions: 170x80x80mm (6.7x3.15x3.15in)
Tubes type:IN-12, tubes
are new, never used (so called NOS)
Nixie tubes life expectancy:
averages up to 200 000h (22 years) and more
Digits height:18mm
/ 0.7in (owing high contrast digits are easily
readable even from a far distance)
Power adapter with EU plug (and
US/UK plug adapter depending on buyer location) is
included.
Clock is not dependent on mains
voltage or frequency which means it will work in any
country.
Power consumption averages 3W
Power supply requirements:
- output voltage: 9V
DC (regulated output voltage) - input voltage:
110-230V AC (depending on your location) - minimal output
current: 500mA or more - power plug: US, EU,
UK, AU (depending on your location) - end plug: barrel plug
5.5mm/2.1mm ( + inside, - outside)
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