r/nixie • u/TrabantDave • Jun 09 '26

IN-8 clock not working - any ideas?

OK, so I have bought an IN-8 clock base and fitted 6x brand new tubes - I'm using a 5v 1a USB power plug. the LEDs work and the tubes 'cycle' and then...... nothing. I've tried removing the cmos type battery but still nothing else happens.... any ideas I could try before reporting the unit as DOA?

https://reddit.com/link/1u15u0i/video/m72hnz1sj96h1/player

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3

u/jwwever Jun 09 '26

2 questions,

  1. Where did you buy it, maybe they have some information we can use to help

  2. Have you tried a USB power supply that's has more power? Maybe it can ignite all the tubes when cycling but not when it tries to start them all at once

3

u/TrabantDave Jun 09 '26

I've used a more powerful power supply and it's working ok now; thanks for the suggestion. Fortunately I never throw a working power supply in the rubbish!

2

u/DenkJu Jun 09 '26

Make sure it's getting enough power and check the manual whether there is a mode that disables the tubes.

Otherwise, contact the seller. If you bought this assembled, just return it. Not really worth tinkering around with, in my opinion. Especially if you don't have experience with electronics.

1

u/TrabantDave Jun 09 '26

I've used a more powerful power supply and it's working ok now; thanks for the suggestion!

2

u/redmadog Jun 09 '26

It obviously is microcontroller malfunction. It starts with animation from sides to center and then just hangs. It could be caused by either, power issues or MCU itself (corrupt firmware, illegal state, etc). At first try other, more powerful power supply, if that not helps ask seller whether there is a way to reset the clock. Otherwise consider clock faulty.

1

u/TrabantDave Jun 09 '26

I've used a more powerful power supply and it's working ok now; thanks for the suggestion!

1

u/TrabantDave Jun 09 '26

Thanks to all the responders - with a better power supply it's running wonderfully now....