Single Digit Nixie Clock (complete kit) Large IN18 tube Beautifully produced kit for you to build Start Price GBP 0.99 Current Price GBP 65.67 Time Left - Bid Count 14 Buy It Now Price GBP 70.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Hinckley See more about 'Single Digit Nixie Clock (complete kit) Large IN18 tube' Description Here we glow again! Now improved in it's Mk2 form From the designer of the extremely successful "NixIIe" and "BigTime" nixie clock kits, comes this beautiful, brand new Single Digit Nixie Clock Kit (IN18) This... is Cyclox And Cyclox has a problem – an identity crisis, if you will.   For you see, as it sits atop its solid wooden base, from within the beautiful glass dome blinks a large, single, all-seeing eye, winking out the fleeting hours and minutes as if to warn passing mariners of hazardous rocks, Cyclox can't work out whether it’s: A work of art, A mythical Greek character, A clock, or A lighthouse. In truth of course, it's all these things and more. A piece of history, a curio, a unique item.   Complete Kit Cyclox comes as a complete kit - and I do mean complete - with quality glass dome and pre-drilled wooden  base, professionally produced silver plated and double-sided PCB, all components, one IN-18 Nixie tube, and AC power supply (UK, Europe and USA only). Everything you need to assemble the clock. No running around trying to source nixie tubes, cases, or other esoteric parts from who-knows-where. So no, I don't supply Cyclox without the Nixie tube. Or without a case, or without anything else. This auction is for what it says up there in blue - a complete kit. As with all my kits, I also include extensive documentation covering some 40+ pages, including over 30 colour pictures and diagrams, and 10,000 words in one neat, lay-flat A5 book. A fold-out circuit diagram is included, along with information about the Nixie tube supplied.   You will require only standard electronic assembly tools, including a soldering iron, to assemble this kit in about 3 hours. If you have basic soldering skills, you should be able to complete this project. If you are unfortunate enough to run into any problems, I offer email backup, and even a return & repair service.     Nixie Tubes The nixie tube is the fore-runner of other electronic display technologies such as LED's and LCD's, with which we are familiar today. Nixie tubes were perhaps at their zenith in the Cold War years, and it was indeed that event which drove most of their development and production.   Nixie tubes simply aren't manufactured any more. The very last production plants closed down when the former USSR collapsed. Cyclox's own single nixie tube is sourced from what few stocks still remain behind the former Iron Curtain. It is classified as "NOS" that is; New, Old Stock (having been manufactured some years ago, but stored unused ever since). The nixie tube supplied with this kit has spent the last 20 years slumbering away, (alomost) forgotten, in some distant Russian warehouse...   With Nixie tubes, you can see what you get! Many will argue that LED and LCD displays are more flexible, use less power, are more rugged, etc. But nothing, nothing, glows with the beauty and warmth of a nixie tube.   Cyclox is available with either a standard IN-8-2 wire-ended nixie tube with 18mm high digits, or the larger IN-18, with most impressive 40mm high digits. The Russian IN-18 nixie tube is widely regarded as the best large nixie tube still available today. This auction is for a Cyclox kit, complete with one large IN-18 nixie tube (as shown in the pictures).   Nixie Tube Life Many people ask me about the life expactancy of nixie tubes. Several factors are at work here, primarliy how heavily the nixie tube is driven, and then how much of the time it is actually in use. Cyclox's advanced electronics ensure that the tube is only driven well within its limits, and the sequential nature of the time display means that it spends less than half of the time illuminated, anyway. A life expectancy of many years in this application would not be unexpected. Should the need ever arise to replace the nixie tube, the IN18 is a plug-in type.     The PIC Processor Driving the vintage nixie tube is a distinctly 21st century PIC processor, from Arizona Microchip. This is complete computer on a chip, and runs a software program to both keep and display the time on the single display device as a sequence of four numbers. You can control the speed, brightness, switching (a wonderful gentle fade or instant switching between numbers) and 12 or 24 hour display, all under software control. The domestic mains (50 or 60Hz) is used to provide the timing reference. So once set, Cyclox will typically never be more than a few seconds out.   Cyclox brings together these two disparate technologies, from different eras, from different sides of the former Iron Curtain, into one elegant timepiece.   Just the One Digit? How to display the time on just one digit? The answer is to flash out four digits HH:MM in sequence, with an appropriate delay in between. So when you see the numbers one,two: three,four repeated over and over you know it's probably time for a spot of lunch. It is most intuitive, even to new-comers.   The Photos The photos show a complete Cyclox clock (though note that this auction is for a KIT, a built version is also available), the kit of parts and manual, and views of the finished round PCB.   Safety Although Nixie tubes require around 180-200V to work properly, Cyclox is powered from a safe, low voltage isolated power supply. The high voltage is generated on-board, at just a few mA, and under software control. When used as described, Cyclox presents no safety hazard that some unisolated nixie clock designs can do.   Specifications Power source Isolated 9-12 V AC (50-60Hz) at 200 mA (Included with UK, EU and USA sales only) Power consumption Under 3W from supplied AC CE/UL-mark adaptor Dimensions 120mm high, 75mm diameter glass dome on 90mm diameter mahogany or sapele base Weight ~500g in standard case Display   Cyclox/Std: Russian IN-8-2 Nixie tube (digit height 18mm) Cyclox/Grand: Russian IN18 Nixie tube (digit height 40mm) Display modes Parameter set Time (HH:MM) 12 or 24 hour format Fast or slow mode Slow fade or instant switch Bright or night time auto-dim display Operating altitude 0 - 3,000m (~10,000 ft) Operating temperature 0°C to 50°C  (32°F to 122°F) Timekeeping Accuracy Mains line frequency reference: dependant on utility provider Brightness Bright, or auto-dim display Memory Parameters (except current time) retained in the event of  power failure Operation All functions controlled from two switches on PCB Rather Unique Quite probably Fun Oh, yes   New features This is my third batch of Cyclox clocks, and includes several software improvements from the original design.  Cyclox now has a voice! Well, a "chirp", let's say. Cyclox will optionally bleep out the hours on each hour (or just during the daytime). Also new for this release is a neon, which flashes out the passing seconds. Unique You will find other nixie clocks out there if you look hard enough. But none like Cyclox. Cyclox is unique, and every one comes with it's own unique serial number and certificate. You could be looking a collectors' piece! Feedback OK - just about anybody can (or at least should be able to) show you 100% eBay feedback. But that's not enough for me. It's what people additionally write and tell me after they've had a good chance to "kick the tyres" that really counts. Like these direct quotes from past Cyclox buyers: Laurence....   WOW!   My parcel arrived this morning.... I could hardly wait to cut it open and disgorge the contents....   I am BLOWN AWAY! This clock is beautiful, elegant, simple (yet appropriately complex :)) and perfect in every regard. The book is expertly and stylishly produced. VERY informative... I am so glad I also have all of the information on the construction and THINKING about it all.... WHAT a nice touch to include the page of the Russian instructions for the tube!  I am so flattered and pleased to be SUCH a pioneer.... that I have USA #1 of the Cyclox! Thank you ever SO much for your kind, polite, encouraging , educational and friendly service in every phase of this transaction! I am SURE we will talk again.........(Rhett, SC USA )   I have to write and say....   many thanks for the opportunity of owning this great / unique 'Cyclox' Nixie timepiece. the design is way cool.  with just one look at the kit of parts and ultimately the finished item, it's easy to see that much careful thought has gone into the design of this DIY kit. the visually balanced layout of the components, stylish pcb tracks, and a great power distribution method, 'look NO flying leads'. the instruction booklet is a joy to read, NONE of your 'stuffy' / 'error filled' instruction sheets here. its' CLEAR, witty and informative, what more could one ask for.   The construction / testing phases were simple but thorough, even a novice should find the process enjoyable. all in all i am VERY HAPPY:) i missed the NixIIe, i bought an imitation:( which i thoroughly regret. DO BELIEVE THE HYPE, THESE BEASTIES ARE THE BEST, as someone once said, '... beware of imitations, BUY from mr Wilkins. you will not be disappointed"'   what's next Lawrence? thank you, GaRy:) cyclox kit #003   (Gary, UK )   I just wanted to drop you a quick note with gleaming praise for the Cyclox Kit (#14) I received earlier today.  Guess What… It is fully assembled and working already.  Assembly went just fine & the clock worked on the very first try. Your included manual and instructions were a great read and it was a really fun build.  I was very impressed with the quality of the components, especially the board itself, right down to the curved traces that complete its circuits.  The grand IN18 nixie tube is as spectacular I suspected it would be.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!!  (Rich, NJ USA )   Hi Laurence, the two cyclox arrived yesterday. Very good packed and fast shipped, thank you. Today i bought the power supplies (only 2 GBP each)and now they are already working on my desk. The clocks are beautiful i also like the wooden base and the glass dome. One of the cyclox i will give to my brother as a birthday present.He will be enthusiastic like me. It´s a real nice clock.   So thank you very much again  (Kay, Germany)   Thank you for sending the clock...  it is a great design,  perfectly built and in about two minutes....   we couldn't keep our eye's off of it for most of the afternoon. Fantastic.... ) (Dick, TX USA)   Just an update to let you know that I've received the Cyclox clock kit, everything arrived in great condition. I'll probably get a chance to work on it this weekend. I enjoyed reading the construction book, a great job on putting that together. (Doug, MN USA)   GREAT CLOCK KIT. WELL packed & Fast delivery. A+++ transaction. Thank You!! (Paul, CA USA) Shipping Postal charges are no more than the postage costs me. They include a tracked or signed-for service (so you know I sent it, I know you've received it). Overseas shipments are airmail. USA, UK and EU kits are supplied complete with a power supply, other locations are supplied less power supply to keep shipping costs down. Shipping insurance automatically included. Cyclox nixie clocks are already widely scattered across the UK, Europe, and the US. Shipping to the US is currently running at just over one week. If you require any further information or other requirements, please contact me Powered by eBay Turbo Lister Place a Bid!