Hi Martin, for fun & learning I have converted a calculator with VFD display into a clock by simulating keypresses with a microcontroller. I had to figure out the keypad wiring and use two analog multiplexers back-to-back to "press" keys. So the uC "dials in" the time. In some visualizations it kicks the + button every second too. The original keyboard is still attached and the clock circuit can be disabled with a switch.
A story about it. That converted Olivetti clock/calculator rests on my desk at work. During COVID lockdown I got a call from a colleague standing by my desk asking if I used the calculator because someone had been looking for one. Really?! I had to insist that it is private property and a simple ornament, that it is unplugged from AC too, because it was built before CE rules and cannot be plugged in office environments. When the lockdown will be over I will find out if it is still there, and replace it with another of my clocks. I tried the same conversion on a TI-3500 with panaplex, but it uses weird voltages and keyboard mapping, so I gave up for now. Depending on the working status and whether the case can return clean, this kind of conversion could be a viable upcycle. Paolo On Wed, Apr 1, 2020 at 8:27 PM martin martin <[email protected]> wrote: > Hello all. > I was cleaning the office with all my "spare time" and found this! > > Date code 1974! > > Should I restore or scrap for a tiny VFD clock? > > The VFD tubes are 1" tall by 0.25" wide. > > Your thoughts? > > -martin > > -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups > "neonixie-l" group. > To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an > email to [email protected]. > To view this discussion on the web, visit > https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/553d3b11-8583-43aa-a089-f04852823ce6%40googlegroups.com > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/553d3b11-8583-43aa-a089-f04852823ce6%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> > . > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CABj2VabPw%3Dv0%2BchuW6sErj-dtCtt9a0%2Bdc7jhy1yEM5uCGQnUw%40mail.gmail.com.
