Author Topic: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock  (Read 5736 times)

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Offline dinoTopic starter

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Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« on: July 08, 2018, 09:10:30 am »
Yes, I know, another Nixie clock :)

This one came out of desire to manufacture something that I can put on my desk. No to RGB lights, yes to orange glow and walnut.
Project is almost complete, there needs to be one more revision of the PCB (to increase DC-DC efficiency), and then I'm happy.

Features:

  • Power and programming done via a single USB cable
  • There are 4 'slots' on the unit. Changing between slots is done by tapping the device, via a touch sensor
  • First two slots are date and time, other slots are arbitrary. I set up mine to display Ethereum price, and local weather
  • Configuration is done from a captive portal (WiFi Manager)

To be implemented:
  • Software: interaction via serial port
  • Hardware: more efficient 5V - 170V PSU

Project page on Hackaday.io: https://hackaday.io/project/27349-nixie-tap
Gerbers and schematics on: https://github.com/mladendinic/nixietap
 
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Offline NivagSwerdna

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2018, 10:11:16 am »
Nice. HV5812s  :-+
 
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Offline Rolo

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2018, 10:15:46 am »
Nice! Not having blue or rgb leds is a wise decision. There are just to many of those around.
How do you display weather information on 4 numeric display's?
« Last Edit: July 08, 2018, 10:45:07 am by Rolo »
 
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Offline knapik

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2018, 10:32:15 am »
Wow, that's a nice looking case. How was it made?
 

Offline dinoTopic starter

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2018, 11:30:59 am »
Nice! Not having blue or rgb leds is a wise decision. There are just to many of those around.
How do you display weather information on 4 numeric display's?

Weather displayed is only temperature, for example by calling openweathermap API and parsing the resulting JSON.
It could be programmed, for example to blink if there is rain.

Wow, that's a nice looking case. How was it made?
Thanks! The case was designed in Fusion 360. First, a few prototypes were 3D printed, and then I ordered some CNC machining service from Alibaba. Walnut is sealed with oil.
 

Offline knapik

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2018, 01:31:21 pm »
You've got me rather interested with how elegant and compact the design is. I've never had any custom work done through alibaba, how much did the wooden case end up costing you?
 

Offline dinoTopic starter

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #6 on: July 09, 2018, 07:46:16 am »
I ordered from a few suppliers (to qualify them for the crowdfunding campaign), and all had similar quality. Price was also similar, ranging from $150 - $200 @ 1 pc.
This includes cost of material, and final polishing and oiling.

 

Offline Rolo

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2018, 04:11:41 pm »
Looking at the schematic I see you use a RTC chip in this design. I'm curious if you thought/tryed to make the clock work without this RTC. Having WiFi and NTP sync should work, or did you want the clock still working when "stand alone" ?


 
 

Offline dinoTopic starter

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #8 on: July 23, 2018, 03:33:55 pm »
Looking at the schematic I see you use a RTC chip in this design. I'm curious if you thought/tryed to make the clock work without this RTC. Having WiFi and NTP sync should work, or did you want the clock still working when "stand alone" ?

Yes, I wanted it to work standalone, when the WiFi is down. And it's easier to structure the code around external RTC, because the ESP will already be encumbered by a lot of stuff (wifi connection, timers for dot scrolling and display updating, serial communication).
There is also a supercap backup, however I'm not sure whether I need this one.
 

Offline radiokot

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Re: Nixie Tap - an ESP8266 Nixie clock
« Reply #9 on: August 02, 2018, 09:29:45 am »
Very beautiful watch case. I want to assemble a clock on an in-14.
 


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