LARGE IN18 Nixie Clock - KIT - 6 Digits, Retro! Build this Beautiful, "Cold War Style" Nixie Clock Start Price GBP 0.99 Current Price GBP 440.00 Time Left - Bid Count 48 Buy It Now Price GBP 369.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Hinckley See more about 'LARGE IN18 Nixie Clock - KIT - 6 Digits, Retro!' Description Nostalgia like it used to be - and about time, too The BigTime MkII (Because it's Big, and it tells the Time) Top Quality, Full-Featured, Six Digit IN18 Nixie Clock Kit  All the features that you'd expect from a modern clock, but with all the beauty of original retro Large Russian IN18 Nixie display tubes Six months in the making, and based on an earlier and highly successful BigTime MkI design, The BigTime is the latest incarnation of a PIC Microprocessor-based, six-digit nixie clock. It is the marriage of electronics from two disparate eras: Cold War display technology and twenty-first century integrated electronics.   The Best Nixie Clock You Can Buy Whoa! That's quite a claim, there. But I've done my research, now you do yours. Yes, there are other nixie clocks out there. But you simply will not find a more complete, feature-rich, professionally finished, large nixie clock. If all you want is to know the time, look at your wrist. If you want a fantastic piece of quality retro art, that also tells you the time (and lots of other stuff, too), then you are in the right place.  Being processor (rather than discrete logic) based, The BigTime is able to offer many more functions, without loosing the charm of its raison d’etre – the glorious IN18 nixie display tubes. Uniquely, The BigTime's many functions are controlled via an infrared remote control (supplied, of course), making case design and location of the finished clock simpler. Although the nixie tubes themselves require relatively high voltages, The BigTime is completely isolated from the mains via a CE approved external low voltage power supply (due to postal costs, this is included with UK, EU and US sales ONLY). The BigTime is based on a professionally manufactured, high-quality, double-sided, Gold plated-though-hole (PTH) FR4 fibreglass printed circuit board. Only brand new components are used throughout. This Kit clock INCLUDES six plug-in IN18 nixie tubes - some other 'nixie clocks' do not! The nixie tubes themselves are classified as New Old Stock – (NOS), as they were made at least 15 years ago, but have never been used. Unlike some other designs which use smaller (13 mm) or a rather naff ‘upside down’ 2’s for the 5 numeral, The BigTime features genuine Russian IN18 tubes, with their beautifully formed 40 mm high numerals. These are the now very largest nixie tubes that are still available in reasonable commercial quantities. The BigTime is offered here as a full kit with everything you need, bar tools and your time. It includes a precision CNC-machined aluminium case cut from the solid, and finished in a stunning mirror polish. The underside is a window of a clear acrylic, showing off The BigTime's inner workings. Three optional modules are available to further enhance The BigTime's functionality: A Digital temperature probe (GBP £7.00 extra) A Relay output module, which can be configured to drive external (even mains driven) circuitry, based on one of a number of events (GBP £6.00 extra)  A GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver (GBP £35 extra). Plug The BigTime in, switch it on, and watch it pluck the time from space! SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER - this auction or Buy-It-Now price will INCLUDE the above items at no extra charge. Note that The BigTime also runs just fine without the GPS option; it is used merely to resynchronise the time to an atomically maintained reference at regular intervals. The BigTime Features The BigTime is quite simply a unique offering. It is just crammed full of features. Look hard, and you'll find some of these on some other clocks – but never all of them on any other nixie clock on the market. But then, The BigTime isn't like just any other nixie clock on the market… NEW FOR 2008 Direct Drive Display (not multiplexed), for quieter, longer nixie tube life NEW FOR 2008 Precision Temperature Compensated Crystal (TCXO) for +/- 30 seconds / year accuracy, or even better   NEW FOR 2008 Software controlled LED backlighting of nixie tubes (available in Blue OR Cool White) NEW FOR 2008 Surface Mount technology facilitates a lower profile, shallower case NEW FOR 2008 High efficiency, compact switched-mode mains power supply (external "Wall-wart" type) for UK, Europe and USA NEW FOR 2008 Mirror-finish polished, precision-machined, Aluminium case Fully remote controlled – The BigTime contains no (0) moving parts! (well, OK, apart from one reset switch) Large Six-digit display showing hours, minutes, seconds, or day, month, year Super-smooth fading between digits 12 or 24-hour hour display mode Indicators for AM/PM, time, and alarm-set mode Alarm, with snooze European or US date display formats Simple hourly beeps or complex “Westminster” chimes with software selectable Silent-Night mode Plays “Happy Birthday” on up to four specified dates Other “Easter Eggs” for you to find! Automatic leap-year calculation Universal Automatic Daylight Savings Time calculation for almost all geographies, including new US DST rules (2007 onwards)  Manual or automatic display brightness Safe, low-voltage design, via a 12V DC “wall-wart” UK, EU or US power supply On-board SuperCap retains The BigTime's time and settings for a minimum of 7 days in the event of power loss On-board loudspeaker for more compact design Optional external temperature probe (-50C to 120C, or 58F to +255F ) Optional relay output to drive slave clocks or other equipment  NEW FOR 2008 Optional GPS receiver for permanent atomic precision Every BigTime is individually serial numbered and comes with its own certification Do you really need all those features? Other previous buyers of my clocks think so! Many of these features have been developed over time in response to other customer requests. The BigTime Documentation The BigTime comes with extensive high quality documentation, including spiral-bound lay-flat guides, covering construction (just in case you were wondering) and operation, running to over 110 (yes, one hundred and ten) A5 pages in total. NOW IN FULL COLOUR with many colour photos. Everything you need to know to operate it including: Construction: Specifications Circuit Description (And Circuit Diagram) Parts List (Around 110 Parts In Total) Nixie Tube Data (In English And Russian!) Step-By-Step Construction Detailed Testing (A Multimeter is all you really need) Get-You-Going Service Software Description Operation: Safety Notes Setting Up The Remote Control Setting The BigTime Display Modes (Six In Total) Parameter Setup Temperature Probe GPS Receiver  All About Nixie Tubes Driving Slave Clocks Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) So no, I do not email you a link to an afterthought of an electronic manual. This is the Real Deal. Specifications Power source: 12V DC at 600 mA. NB: Absolute maximum rating of 18V DC Power consumption: Under 7W from supplied 230V > 12V DC CE-mark UK adaptor, or EuroPlug European adaptor, or 110V >12 V DC US Adaptor ( RoW will need to supply a simple 12V "wall wart" type of power supply)  Dimensions: sleek, low profile aluminium case 300 x 62 x 25 mm (length x depth x height). IN18 nixie tubes add a further 60 mm to the overall height. 300 mm - that's almost twelve inches wide! This Time, it's Big  Weight: 650 g (Gross shipping weight ~2 Kg) Display: Six unused New Old Stock Russian IN18 Direct-driven plug-in Nixie tubes (digit height 40 mm) plus four mode indicators. Instant switch, or two selectable display soft-fade styles (cool) Display modes: Time (HH:MM:SS) 12 hour (US) or 24 hour (Europe) display Date (DD MM YY or MM DD YY) Auto time and date Alarm Parameter setup Temperature (optional) Operating altitude: 0 - 3,000m (~10,000 ft) Operating temperature (unit:) Main clock: 0C - 50C Measured Temperature: Optional external temperature probe: -50C > +120C (-58F > +255F ) to an accuracy of ±1C between –10C and 85C.  Temperature display in Centigrade or Fahrenheit Timekeeping Accuracy: On board Precision Temperature Compensated Crystal; software adjustable to +/- 30 seconds per year or better (typically +/- 15 sec /Yr) Time derived from optional GPS module; accurate to within one second in the life of The BigTime :) Brightness: Bright, dim, or auto-dim display at hours of your choosing Backlighting: Nixie tubes under lit by blue OR cool white LEDs, dimmed with display dimming. Software controlled Memory: All settings (including current time) retained in the event of power failure Daylight saving: Automatic daylight saving adjustment (advance/retard) for vast majority of countries Leap Years: Automatic Leap-Year calculations to 2099 Audio output: Hourly or quarterly chimes, alarm, birthdays and temperature: variable volume, “silent night” mode at hours of your choosing Relay output: (optional) On, off, alarm time, over/under temperature or 30 or 60-second pulse for slave clocks. Contacts rated at 230V AC 5A AC Maximum Operation: All functions controlled from a six-button Infra-red remote control (supplied) Kitchen Sink: Er, no Fun: Oh, yes  WARNING There are an increasing number of clocks out there on eBay and elsewhere, using the word "Nixie" to describe themselves. But some are based on VFD (Vacuum fluorescent) or seven segment displays, or even LED's!! Those are not nixie clocks! The BigTime is a genuine nixie tubed clock, plain and simple. The Pictures The pictures show the finished clock, with precision CNC-machined case. It’s kinda hard to photograph a shiny object! A typical small remote control unit is shown (style may vary). Also the optional GPS receiver and temperature probe. A shot of an IN18 nixie tube, reclining beside a ruler is shown. These are quite simply the largest nixie tubes still available in any quantity. Also shown is a selection of the components in the kit, and some of the high quality documentation. Please note that White or Blue Under-nixie lighting available - state your colour preference. Nixie Tube Life Nixie tubes can fail in a number of ways, but the most common failures revolve around a gradual loss of performance due to slight fading, or a blackening of the glass (unlike a filament lamp, where now you see with it, then suddenly you don't!). So any life expectancy tends to be given around the minimum number of useful hours. But that’s an opinion! The specifications for nixie tubes often talk about life expectancies in thousands of hours. The spec for the IN18 tube mentions a figure of 5,000 hours. However, this rating is worst case, and generally taken to mean the same numeral, driven at full current, all of the time. But The BigTime doesn't drive its nixie tubes hard, in this way. First, different numerals are being displayed, according to the time of day. If you use the soft-fade or night-time dim feature, each nixie tube is being driven even further well below its rated current for most of the time. To even things out, you might even like to swap the tubes over; once a year is quite often enough. So here is my very best guess for the life expectancy of your nixie tubes. And discounting, for a moment, that they've slept through the first twenty-plus years of their lives, forgotten in some Russian warehouse, the ageing effects of which are not documented :) Your nixie tubes should last for many years. That’s it. Three or thirty, or somewhere in between. If it really comes to it, at least the IN18 nixie tubes in The BigTime are plug-in types, much like an electronic valve, and are replaceable. Tiny, Tiny Tiny In kit format, The BigTime MkII now includes some Surface Mount Devices (SMDs) such as LEDs, two IC's. These can be tricky to solder if you are not proficient with surface mount soldering techniques. Just ask, and I will be happy to presolder these few components for you, at no extra charge. The majority of the kit uses more "conventional" through-hole leaded components, and completing this part of the kit should be within reach of anyone who owns a soldering iron and is not afraid to use it! Alternatively, The BigTime is also available assembled, tested and guaranteed. Other Stuff Do your homework. Go Googling for other nixie clocks. See how many parts they have you running around trying to find, how few functions they offer, lack of remote control, quality of documentation and backup service, and the high prices they command. Some Nixie clock kits even lack the nixie tubes! More a bag of electronic bits than a nixie clock, then. The BigTime always includes the nixie tubes. Check out any feedback. You'll be back. :) Each BigTime is well packaged and presented, and would make an ideal gift to an electronics enthusiast, or anyone who was perhaps involved in the technology of the 1960's, or even anyone who wished they had been! I stand by my clocks. I guarantee the assembled BigTime clock against failure for a period of six months, and the nixie tubes themselves for three months. My best advertisements are my past, pleased, customers and their comments and emails. And I want you for my next advertisement. Note that the remote control commands used by The BigTime are based around the standard SONY TV remote control commands, and if that The BigTime and a Sony TV are within mutual range, commands for one device may affect the other. Email Feedback I could go on all day about The Bigtime. Indeed, those of you who have read this far probably think I already have. Here instead is some additional feedback that I received for last Year's MkI model. These comments count for much more than 'just' your standard eBay feedback line (which is 100% of course). It's what people say after they've received the goods and had a chance to really "kick the tyres" that matters.   Hi- These are by far the nicest nixie clocks I have seen for sale.  I had noted a few home built versions with the LED under lighting which is really nice, but your version is the first offering this and the many additional options.  Thank you for producing such wonderful clocks for those of us that are not up to building one.  Best Regards, H J W, USA     Hi Laurence The kit arrived today and I'm so impressed? It´s absolutely fantastic!!! You surely have put some thought and effort into the BigTime clock with fantastic quality hardware and super paperwork. I have read the first chapter of the constructors guide this evening and I find it to be very informative, humoristic and very satisfying, building kits should be fun besides the building process, good job. I will start to put it together tomorrow, can’t wait.   Thanks Laurence, I will send you a picture of it from a COLD Sweden when it´s completed.   Ok, all is sorted and it´s working like a clock   So I´m now a proud owner of a BigTime, It´s been fantastic to build the kit and it has a really nice finish and quality, far beyond anything I have built so far in the ways of nixie clocks, good job done, and your support has been an asset and with super good response, tank you Laurence, I have enclosed a photo.   H B, Sweden     Well it arrived on time and due to your comprehensive packing in good shape and I must say what an elegant and well thought out device-I am very pleased with it. Thanks for your swift response and instructions-all duly noted. Signal now received and RTC working and clock has reset itself-indeed it now synchronises!   B R, UK     Received the clock safely yesterday morning. I love the clock, it's a great little piece of engineering! It looks fantastic & I think you've done a great job, both with the clock & the documentation - thanks for making it worth the investment! I would also be interested to see the 2 new potential projects you mentioned.   Thanks again for all your help & patience!  J R, UK   Hi Laurence After a few delays and an unexpected business trip last week I found time to disappear into the workshop this weekend and build the BigTime. All I can say is WOW the completed clock is awesome. I had no problems with the construction and the BigTime fired up first time without any last minute tweaks or corrections. The world now has another BigTime quietly counting time to anyone that wishes to look.   The constructors guide was a joy to work through.   I’m off to stare at the BigTime again and please look out for me in the future as I may be bidding on other kits for friends.  P G, UK     Hello Laurence,I received The BigTime, it is very beautiful.  I install it this evening.Thank you  M G, France   Hi Another fantastic kit - many thanks; already up and running!   BigTime is  truly superb product; the construction manual and all other documentation is of the finest quality I have ever seen for an electronic kit. Anyhow, all is well and thanks a million; oh, the documentation arrived today for 005 also! Fantastic product and superb after sale service - I think I have 4 now!   M J, UK   Hi  Laurence I was very impressed from the getgo just by the attention spent on the packaging. Layers of foam and bubblewrap encasing all the major components so nothing could move, plus a separate box with the bubblewrapped tubes inside. I did wonder how the tubes would survive our UK courier services but I shouldn't have worried.   Once I had unpacked, plugged in the nixies and the various power, temperature and time code receivers I switched it on. It looks beautiful. I couldn't be happier. I am now going to get myself a soldering iron and practise soldering and I may purchase the kit form of your next creation rather than an assembled version. Or it may still have to be an assembled version depending how the soldering goes!   Once again many thanks  D H, UK …And some more feedback from an earlier Nixie clock design… Hi Laurence, - Just wanted to let you know the clock kit arrived (In Australia) in only 6 days!   I assembled it over the past two nights and it powered up first-time without any problems. As an ex-technician and die-hard electronics hobbiest, I found the quality of the PCB, components and literature to be fantastic!  I have built many commercially produced kits over the last 30 years (since I was about 11 years old!) and would rate  this kit as the best I have ever built. The attention to the slightest detail in the literature is awesome. Even the acrylic case is better than anything I have I ever seen before in a kit. Well done!  Cheers, DT, Australia.  Excuses for my english. Today the clock has arrived, only  a word; IMPRESSIVE  Magnificent manuals, very good presentation. LM, Spain I got my Clock put together *without* any Arc's or Sparks! Or SHOCKS! At least so far! ;)  I love the Westminster Chime! Do you have any kits left? I would like to get my dad one!  PM, WV, USA I knew right then that I got a hold of a quality piece of work and a good person.  Once I got the kit, I was further impressed by the quality of the circuit board!!!!!, the color manual with pictures!!!!!!,  the detailed explanation of the components, and the links provided for more information!   OH!  And the laminated remote control chart, too cool!   You obviously put a lot of time into this and it shows!  DR, NJ, USA What a great kit! You could have slopped it all together with only a schematic but, no, everything is very professionally done -- it's easily as professional as the Heathkit digital clock I built in the 70's. PH, Conwy, UK Laurence – All three have arrived in perfect condition. Thanks for helping with this. They will make excellent gifts for Christmas.  RC, TX, USA I did pick up the kit this morning, and very well crafted kit it is, too! I read over the build manual, and I truly appreciate your style and wit. It'll probably be a week or so before I start building it, but I' m looking forward to it. Things look pretty straightforward, but as I'm somewhat lacking in understanding of the circuits, I can follow "insert tab a b.. solder" instructions quite well. I'll be sure to contact you should I run into any questions Thanks again for the great price auction, and for the kit. NW, GA, USA Laurence, The kit was fun & the clock is just what I thought it would be. Your support has been extraordinary, I wanted to thank you. BG, MO, USA Ebay Feedback Here are the some recent pieces of eBay feedback (check for yourself) from most previous nixie clock buyers over the last year - can you see a pattern here? Excellent communication, packaging, dispatch. Superb kit - highly recommended. Schnelle Lieferung, !!! Sehr gute Handbücher!! Fast delivery very good!!!! More than I expected. Exceptional item, fantastic packing, and quick shipping. Brilliant product, quick shipping, great comms & fantastic service! A++++++++ Produit de très grande qualité et très soigneusement emballé. Que du bon +++++++ As usual, an EXCELLENT transaction!!!!! Awsome product with wonderful detailed info booklet. Thanks! Expédition, livraison très rapides, très bon produit. Parfait ! Que du positif ! An exceptional & world-class dealer. Item is totally superb! Thanks Laurence :-) The SOLID 100% FEEDBACK with GLOWING TESTIMONIALS just goes on and on. Buy with utter confidence, from a seller with a solid eBay AND product history.   Options Prices SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER: This auction or Buy-It-Now price INCLUDES all of the following items as standard in the final price: Temperature probe (£7.00) Output relay kit (£6.00)  GPS receiver module (£35.00) UK, EU and USA clocks are supplied complete with a wall-wart power supply, other locations are supplied without a power supply. These are generally easily obtained locally (12V DC, minimum 750mA recommended). Please add the costs of any options you want to the "Seller Additional Charges" field, if paying by Paypal. Credit Crunch? This auction is for one BigTime MkII in kit form, payment will be in UK Pounds Sterling. The recent fall in the value of the pound against the dollar means these BigTime clocks are now even cheaper than last year in Dollar terms. But how long will that last? Shipping Charges You'll be wanting to get your hands on The BigTime quickly, safely and soundly. So I don't cut corners or try to save a few pennies with slow or insecure delivery services. Shipping charges are no more than the postage costs me (sometimes less than it costs me). Multiple orders are posted singly, as it's cheapest that way. That's why I cannot offer discounts for multiple shipments. Shipping includes a signed-for or tracked service, so you know I sent it, I know you've received it. Shipments outside EU are by Royal Mail "Airsure" airmail, and arrive at your door via your domestic carrier (USPS, etc.) Shipping insurance is fully included on this valuable item There are no additional customs charges for The BigTime sold within the EU. Shipping outside EU is supplied with fully compliant customs (CN22) information. In theory, you may be liable for local taxes. In practice, I've only heard of this being applied once. I have sold previous my nixie clock designs across the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Japan, Canada, the USA, and Mexico. UK shipping is usually next working day AM delivery. Shipping to the USA is currently running at just over one week. Oh! Now also over at www.MrNixie.com If you require any further information or other requirements, please do contact me. The BigTime - Because it's Big, and it tells the Time Powered by eBay Turbo Lister Place a Bid!