Very nice ! I like how you've clearly put effort into ensuring it's programmed to be intuitive to program/set.. I have a few Nixie clocks I've built from kits that have ridiculously convoluted menus that are completely impossible to even set the time on without the (also very non-intuitive) manuals. Only thing I'd say is be careful with those cheap generic DS3231 modules, I've had a few that started to significantly drift, apparently lots of them contain fake/reject DS3231s. Also, that particular module will attempt to charge the coin cell battery (killing it if it's not a rechargable one) unless you remove a diode from it.
I can certainly empathize with wading through non-intuitive menus, and that frustration played a large part in how I wrote all the code. After all, if you have to dig out the manual any time you want to use the menus, then it's not intuitive. As for the RTC chips, you are absolutely correct that many do not actually keep accurate time. However, I ensured the models I used did in fact have working thermal compensation, instead of just relying on the crystal oscillator. Obviously something like an ESP32 would have been ideal, but that adds significant setup to what should be a plug-and-play device.
Thank you! The main inspiration for using thermal paper was the novelty of finding a creative way to use an existing technology. It's of course not the most ideal way to distribute an instruction manual, due to long term fading and what not. However, seeing as most people use their instruction manual maybe once or twice when setting up their product before pitching it, I think this helps fill that need. For longer term needs, a picture can always be snapped, but at the end of the day, I learned a lot about working with thermal printers in the process, and that was the fun part!
Hi Davis! Wicked cool project, I’m glad I stumbled across it! Makes we want to get back on the workbench. Do you know how many amps those Nixie tubes use? I had assumed they’d take a lot of power, but if you’re pulling 5v up to 170v with that tiny little transformer, they must run on pretty minimal current! That’s a real game changer!
Hey old friend! I threw one of the clocks on my power supply, and it looks like the entire clock only consumes 3 watts, and that of course includes the LEDs, micro-controller and RTC chip! Given the tubes are cold-cathode, they are extremely efficient, and I wasn't even multiplexing them.
Love the finished look and design, as always great video!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed the video!
You deserve more subscribers my friend. Amazing work
Very nice ! I like how you've clearly put effort into ensuring it's programmed to be intuitive to program/set.. I have a few Nixie clocks I've built from kits that have ridiculously convoluted menus that are completely impossible to even set the time on without the (also very non-intuitive) manuals.
Only thing I'd say is be careful with those cheap generic DS3231 modules, I've had a few that started to significantly drift, apparently lots of them contain fake/reject DS3231s. Also, that particular module will attempt to charge the coin cell battery (killing it if it's not a rechargable one) unless you remove a diode from it.
I can certainly empathize with wading through non-intuitive menus, and that frustration played a large part in how I wrote all the code. After all, if you have to dig out the manual any time you want to use the menus, then it's not intuitive.
As for the RTC chips, you are absolutely correct that many do not actually keep accurate time. However, I ensured the models I used did in fact have working thermal compensation, instead of just relying on the crystal oscillator. Obviously something like an ESP32 would have been ideal, but that adds significant setup to what should be a plug-and-play device.
Awesome work! Are the instructions printed on thermal paper like your previous vid? Any concerns with them aging/darkening/fading?
Thank you! The main inspiration for using thermal paper was the novelty of finding a creative way to use an existing technology. It's of course not the most ideal way to distribute an instruction manual, due to long term fading and what not. However, seeing as most people use their instruction manual maybe once or twice when setting up their product before pitching it, I think this helps fill that need. For longer term needs, a picture can always be snapped, but at the end of the day, I learned a lot about working with thermal printers in the process, and that was the fun part!
Wow, I stumbled upon this channel from the TH-cam homepage, you're doing a great job, and I'll stick around for a while. Good luck :D
Thank you! Appreciate the support!
Hi Davis! Wicked cool project, I’m glad I stumbled across it! Makes we want to get back on the workbench.
Do you know how many amps those Nixie tubes use? I had assumed they’d take a lot of power, but if you’re pulling 5v up to 170v with that tiny little transformer, they must run on pretty minimal current! That’s a real game changer!
Hey old friend! I threw one of the clocks on my power supply, and it looks like the entire clock only consumes 3 watts, and that of course includes the LEDs, micro-controller and RTC chip! Given the tubes are cold-cathode, they are extremely efficient, and I wasn't even multiplexing them.
🔥🔥🤌🏽🔥🔥