You’ve heard of Nixie tubes, and perhaps even have one hanging in your shop or office. While beautiful, they have one major disadvantage in that they require 170+ volts for operation. Numitron tubes, as described in this clock listing, have the same sort of orange glow as Nixie tubes, but operate at only 5 volts, making them simpler and safer to use. They function as a 7-segment display with tiny incandescent filaments, instead of using individually formed digits.
This particular clock display uses four IV-9 Russian Numitron tubes, manufactured by Reflektor, the company that also made many of the Nixie tubes popular today. The device comes with an ATMega328 processor, which comes programmed for timekeeping. However, the source code is annotated and can be modified, so if you want a clock that’s all your own, this can be made to function as you like.
For an intro to this type of tube, check out the video below, featured here on Hackaday.
One interesting note in this listing is that the packaging has been improved after hearing feedback from users. While everyone hopes to ship a perfect product the first time, it’s great to see buyers and sellers interacting in order to resolve any difficulties and improve the product.
Certainly don’t be afraid to leave a review when you buy creations on Tindie — a good review can really make someone’s day. You can even message the seller directly with praise, questions, or concerns. If you do have ideas for improvement, polite and specific feedback can benefit everyone!
