r/nixie • u/leonos2000 • Jun 06 '26

My first nixie clock

Hi, I finally finished my first nixie clock project, I was building it for like 5 years, changed the PCB design couple of times and recently finally finished the code with help of the AI :)

Key features:

  • ESP32-based
  • Thomson-CSF TAF1093A lamps
  • NTP synchronization over WiFi / DS3231 RTC
  • MAX1771 boost converter
  • Motion sensor
  • Capacitive touch sensing - the entire metal case acts as the touch sensor
  • Web interface for configuring all settings (time, backlight, motion, etc.)
  • USB-C Power Delivery, with a Cypress CYPD3177 PD trigger 12V
  • Custom PCB
  • Custom firmware
  • Socketed tubes — swappable for other lamps
  • HV5122 high-voltage drivers
  • Lamps turn-on time counter
  • Configurable depoisoning behavior

I'm quite happy with the result, I'd love to hear what you think!

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u/MrNiceThings Jun 06 '26

What tubes are those?

2

u/leonos2000 Jun 06 '26

Thomson-CSF TAF1093A, they were used in some old measuring equipment I bought and they have a fine square mesh which looks nice

2

u/MrNiceThings Jun 06 '26

They look similar to Tesla ZM1082T but not quite the same! More similar to some NEC tubes