Build Your Own Timepiece - No. 2: Nixie FunKlock Kit
Following the first article in the category "build your own timepiece", about the Persée by Maison Alcée, we are back with the FunKlock Kit by PV Electronics.
Get ready, nerds passionate about electronics and in love with clocks! The time has come to dive into an exciting journey through the world of electronic horology with the amazing Funklock clock Construction Kit by PV Electronics. This kit is a true treasure for technology lovers and horology enthusiasts who wish to embark on a unique and engaging experience. At the IPR we assembled one of these clocks and tell you about our experience first-hand. Get your soldering irons and your imagination ready, because we are going to explore the secrets of electronics by building a Nixie Tubes clock!
The magic of Nixie tubes in electronic horology
Nixie tubes are true vintage jewels of electronics, adding retro charm and a touch of nostalgia to the designs of electronic clocks. Here we explore the fascinating history and function of Nixie tubes, as well as their role in electronic horology.
Nixie tubes are electronic information display devices that were widely used in the 1950s and 1960s, mainly in counting and numerical display applications. Made up of cathode filaments and anode digits in tube form, Nixie tubes have a distinctive and attractive look. They are filled with neon and are able to display numbers and, sometimes, special characters.
Neon
Neon gas is a chemical element of the noble gas group, represented by the symbol "Ne" in the periodic table. Under normal conditions of temperature and pressure, it is colourless, odourless and tasteless. However, when subjected to an electrical discharge or to ionisation, it emits a characteristic reddish-orange light.
How do they work?
Nixie tubes work on the gas-discharge principle. When an electrical voltage is applied to the electrodes, the cathode filaments are heated and emit electrons. These electrons are then accelerated towards the anode digits, which are formed in the shape of numerals. The neon gas inside the tube is ionised by the electrons, creating a bright glow that lights up the corresponding digit. Simple, isn't it?
Why NIXIE?
Nixie tubes were given this name in reference to the company that developed them, the "Burroughs Corporation". The company created these vacuum display tubes around 1954 as an alternative to the cathode ray tube (CRT) displays used at the time. The name "Nixie" is an abbreviation of "Numeric Indicator Experimental-1" (that is, experimental numeric indicator no. 1). Burroughs created a series of numbered display tubes, and the first of them was the "NIXIE-1". Over time, the name "Nixie" became popularly associated with all kinds of vacuum display tubes, regardless of the manufacturer.
The clock assembly kit - Funklock
The Funklock clock construction kit, developed by PV Electronics, is a true treasure for clock enthusiasts. It offers a unique opportunity to build a fully working electronic clock, providing an engaging and educational experience for those who enjoy electronics.
The kit includes all the parts needed to assemble a complete Nixie tube desk clock, from the case to the internal components. Here is the list of materials:
Hobby Clock Kit of parts to be soldered together
Hours and minutes shown on four IN-12 tubes
Digit height of 0.71" / 18mm
Choice of a range of colours for the tube backlighting
Programmable display of the seconds at the end of each minute
Plexiglass case available separately
12 or 24-hour modes
Uses a quartz crystal oscillator
Blanking of the leading zero, programmable
Backup supercapacitor. Keeps time during brief power cuts
Simple time setting with two buttons
Programmable leading-zero suppression
Programmable settings for the two neon colon dots (flashing AM/PM indication, lit AM/PM indication, flashing, on, off)
Seconds can be reset to zero to match the set time exactly
Programmable night mode - display off or dimmed to save the tubes or avoid disturbing sleep.
Separate modes for the neon colon during night mode
Standard or scroll-back display modes
"Slot Machine" cathode poisoning prevention routine
Does not depend on the AC mains frequency - works in every country
All user preferences stored in non-volatile memory
12V DC power supply not included, but available if you need it
The clock measures 110 mm X 40 mm. The "sandwich" design has 2 printed circuit boards, 11 mm apart.
As an example of what you will find, here is the list of components:
Circuit designation, Part description Resistors
Resistors
R1 4.7K, ¼ Watt R2 390K, ¼ Watt
R3, R4, R5 4.7K, ¼ Watt R6 -
R9 1K or 1.1K, ¼ Watt R10 -
R13 2.7K, ¼ Watt
R14, R15 4.7K, ¼ Watt
R16, R17 390K, ¼ Watt
R18, R19 270R 1/4 Watt
Capacitors:
C1, C2 100nF Ceramic
C3 1uF 250V Electrolytic
C4 220uF 16-25V Electrolytic
C5 15pF Ceramic
C6 33pF Ceramic
C7 100nF Ceramic
C8 0.1F or 0.22F
Transistors
Q1 IRFD220 MOSFET
Q2 - Q5 EL817 Optocoupler
Q6, Q7, Q8 MPSA42
Diodes
NPN D1, D3 1N5819
D2 1N4001
D4 UF4004
D5 - D8 3mm LED (various colours)
Integrated Circuits
IC1 78L05 5V voltage regulator
IC2 PIC16Fxxxx 8-bit microcontroller
IC3 74141 / K155ID1
Driver
Nixie Miscellaneous L1 100uH Radial inductor
AM, PM 4mm wire-ended neon lamp
SET, ADJ Miniature push button Socket
IC for IC2 28-way IC socket for IC2
J1, 2.1m Power socket
J2, J5 10-way pin header
J3, J4 10-way socket
500 mA fuse
Clear insulation for neons X1
32.768 KHz clock crystal
Miscellaneous 44 sockets X 1 mm
Deka 3-way 0.1" male header for DekaDuo
Circuit Map
Our experience
Unexpectedly, we successfully assembled a FunKlock with the «Finned Case For Nixie FunKlock». This is a project that can be done even by someone who has never used a soldering iron in their life. It is worth explaining very clearly to the seller what the work involves and what personal experience you have with soldering, in order to choose the most suitable soldering iron or soldering station. Besides the iron, it is important to have:
a stand,
a damp sponge, to clean the tip of the iron,
side cutters,
a multimeter,
a desoldering pump, to correct any mistakes.
This is not one of those adventures where you can do without an instruction manual; the instructions are online and must be followed to the letter. As in mechanical watchmaking, it is always advisable to know the function of every part you fit. By the end of this project, even those with no soldering experience come away full of confidence. We did! It is a project that even beginners can take on, but it is not the simplest of projects.
The FunKlock can be bought for the modest sum of £109.95, here.
The salmon case chosen by the IPR is no longer available, but you can choose yours from those available here.
NOTE: Nixie Wristwatches
Although they do not come as an assembly kit, it is also possible to buy wristwatches with Nixie tubes. However, next to these orange monsters, any Panerai starts to look like a 1960s ladies' watch.
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