When a EE makes Christmas presents - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: globoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2024, 05:35:38 pm
content: I was inspired earlier this month ... and I got to use of some of the copious amounts of kit I have laying around. I think these presents turned out pretty well and I hope the various family members receiving them like them and don't just say "Oh, how nice...".All of the PCBs were devices I already had but maybe hacked a little. I wrote some firmware and did a lot of 3D enclosure designs and printing. Other parts of the enclosures were repurposed items.I used to do LED lighting control systems and re-purposed some of the various controllers and drivers into a set of color-wash ambient lighting systems. The idea is to be able to "paint" a ceiling or corner or some part of a room with color or even slowly changing colors.I have always loved the nixie tube aesthetic but don't currently have a stash of tubes so I repurposed some prototype devices into Faux Nixie Clocks that can permanently keep themselves correct using internet time services and sport a browser based interface (the idea is that these are set once and forget devices).Finally I built up a bluetooth to POTS telephone adapter (a copy of a previous project)

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 21, 2024, 07:47:36 pm
content: Love the phone, especially the awful 70s colour. It's so kitschy that it's trendy!

author: dbch
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: January 23, 2025, 10:12:46 am
content: Very nice "Nixie" clock. I had to look at it twice, to see that its only a display.Well done!

author: adriansmith31
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 02:35:29 pm
content: That faux nixie clock is cool. Have you got a blog article or something describing how it was made?I made a few Xmas presents myself but they were not appreciated - one a NTP clock which ended up in a drawer and never used and a bench power supply for my nephew who is starting out with electronics. I understand it was just a fad and he doesn't bother with it now.

author: globoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 05:25:57 pm
content: Quote from: adriansmith31 on January 25, 2025, 02:35:29 pmThanks. I did write it up:https://hackaday.io/project/192417-use-it-up/log/237384-faux-nixie-clockI also ported it to my gCore and will put the source up on github when I have a free moment. People could port it to the dev board of their choice.I understand about our type of gifts not being appreciated. This time I was lucky :-) I made 8 gifts total and I think only one recipient wasn't happy to get one. Maybe they'll regift it.

author: temperance
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 25, 2025, 06:16:10 pm
content: Imagine taking public transport and answering the phone. I want one.

author: elektryk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 08:40:57 am
content: Quote from: globoy on January 25, 2025, 05:25:57 pmNice idea, could you share graphic files/Nixie font?

author: globoy
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 04:29:18 pm
content: Quote from: temperance on January 25, 2025, 06:16:10 pmMy friend, an electrician, takes his in his work truck and gets a lot of looks and laughs at various job sites when he talks on an old 1960s telephone.Quote from: elektryk on January 30, 2025, 08:40:57 amAttached.

author: elektryk
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 30, 2025, 08:55:41 pm
content: Thanks, works as intended.It looks even better in real life.4.3" TFT with STM32 LTDC.

author: ahsrabrifat
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 02, 2025, 09:55:55 am
content: What type of LED did you use in the lamp?