Very excited to have finished the ice clock and seems to be working fine. I had a few non-fatal errors, mainly not setting the tube into the silkscreen far enough. For some reason in the instructions there is this image of the tube about 1/4" shy of being flush- I interpreted this as the point to stop pulling it through and soldered it in place before realizing it could go further without damaging the leads. Stupid on my part but I still can't figure out what that image is doing there- it doesn't seem to be conveying any kind of "step" or milestone.
Aside from that I had the VFD chip upside down, in my case it dropped in much more easily upside down than right side up.
I followed the instructions on assembling the case and the tube seems to fit despite the extra length of leads ahead of the tube, but for some reason the tube slants upwards on the left hand side. Is this a known issue with some tubes? Is there another side panel with a lower hole for the tube to fit in? Initially I figured this had to do with my error, but the more I look at, the more it seems to be a completely separate issue.
Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
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- exaltron
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:58 am
Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
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- adafruit_support_rick
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Re: Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
The slant seems to be simply because of the way you have the tube leads bent. You should be able to adjust that.
- adafruit_support_bill
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Re: Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
Just be very careful and try not to break any of the leads. If they break close to the glass they will be impossible to repair. The tubes are becoming harder to find these days and we don't have a source for replacements at this time.
Another option would be to enlarge the hole on the other side so the tip of the tube can sit lower.
Another option would be to enlarge the hole on the other side so the tip of the tube can sit lower.
- exaltron
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:58 am
Re: Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
Ok, thanks for the insight, I will give that a try. If I find a vacuum tube somewhere, would it be possible to get a replacement silkscreen and header for it so I can do it over correctly?
- exaltron
- Posts: 20
- Joined: Fri Mar 13, 2015 2:58 am
- adafruit_support_bill
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- Joined: Sat Feb 07, 2009 10:11 am
Re: Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
Those tubes should work. We do have a few of the PCBs and headers in stock: https://www.adafruit.com/products/343
- ortsac
- Posts: 34
- Joined: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:32 pm
Re: Ice Clock- Tube is Slanted
Just by looking at the pictures you posted, the microcontroller IC is not plugged in all the way its own socket....that's why your eyes deceive you from thinking that the tube is slanted. With power off, carefully push the microcontroller into the socket.
Please be positive and constructive with your questions and comments.