Bizzare Shifter

Summary

In this inventive project, the creator guides viewers through the process of integrating a Nixie tube into a car's shifter knob to display the current gear. The tutorial covers the technical challenges, such as the high voltage requirement of Nixie tubes and the use of an 'Easy Nixie' driver board to simplify the process. It also includes a sponsorship mention for PCBWay, a resource for electronic project components. The video delves into the intricacies of 3D modeling and printing the shifter knob to accommodate the Nixie tube, complete with detailed assembly instructions. The project is a blend of retro-futuristic aesthetics and modern technology, aiming to inspire viewers to experiment with Nixie tubes in their own unique applications.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The video demonstrates how to integrate a Nixie tube into a car shifter knob to display the current gear.
• 📺 The presenter has previously experimented with various displays inside shifter knobs, including LED matrices and LCD screens.
• ⚡ Nixie tubes require high voltage (around 200V) to operate, unlike the 5V used for Arduino Uno projects.
• 🔗 The 'Easy Nixie' board is introduced as a key component to simplify controlling Nixie tubes with an Arduino.
• 🌐 PCBWay is highlighted as a sponsor, offering PCB manufacturing services and a special deal for the audience.
• 🔌 The video provides detailed pin connections for setting up the Easy Nixie board with an Arduino Uno.
• 💻 The Arduino Library for the Easy Nixie board is downloaded from GitHub, and an example sketch is used to test the setup.
• 🔩 The presenter discusses the compatibility of different Nixie tube types with the Easy Nixie board.
• 🏗️ A 3D printed shifter knob is designed to house the Nixie tube, with adjustments made for a proper fit.
• 🎨 Fusion 360 is used for 3D modeling the shifter knob and Nixie tube enclosure, with iterative design to achieve a good fit.
• ⏱️ Time-lapse footage is shared of the 3D printing process, showcasing the final product's assembly.

Q & A

What is the main project idea presented in the video?

The main project idea is to integrate a Nixie tube into a shifter knob to display the current gear, creating a retro-futuristic automotive accessory.

Why can't Nixie tubes be directly connected to an Arduino Uno?

Nixie tubes require a high voltage of around 200 volts to operate, whereas the Arduino Uno operates on 5 volts, so they cannot be connected directly.

What is the 'secret source' mentioned for controlling Nixie tubes?

The 'secret source' is a driver board called 'Easy Nixie' which simplifies the control of Nixie tubes with an Arduino.

How can viewers get 10 PCBs for free from PCBWay?

Viewers can get 10 PCBs for free by using the link provided in the video description and paying only for shipping.

What is the name of the Kickstarter project that the Easy Nixie board originated from?

The Kickstarter project that the Easy Nixie board originated from is not explicitly named in the transcript, but it is mentioned that the board started as a Kickstarter project and was successfully backed.

How can one find the Arduino library for the Easy Nixie board?

The Arduino library for the Easy Nixie board can be found on a GitHub page linked in the Kickstarter project description.

What types of Nixie tubes are mentioned in the video?

The video mentions several types of Nixie tubes including the 12a, 12b, 15a, 15b, and 17, each with different characters and functionalities.

What modification did the creator make to the shifter knob design to fit the Nixie tube?

The creator made the bottom piece of the shifter knob hollow and redesigned it to screw together with the top piece, creating more space to fit the Nixie tube.

How did the creator approach 3D printing the Nixie tube holder?

The creator approached 3D printing the Nixie tube holder by first creating a simple model to test the fit, then iterating on the design to accommodate the Nixie tube, and finally combining it with the shifter knob shape.

What challenges did the creator face while 3D printing the final design?

The creator faced challenges with support removal and overhangs during 3D printing, which were addressed by adjusting support settings and using a special support filament.

Are Nixie tubes still being manufactured, and if not, what are the alternatives mentioned?

Nixie tubes are not being manufactured anymore, but there are companies that are producing them again, and alternatives like fake Nixie tube clocks are also mentioned.

Outlines

00:00

🛠️ DIY Nixie Tube Gear Shifter Knob

The video begins with the host introducing a unique project of integrating a Nixie tube into a gear shifter knob to display the current gear. The host expresses enthusiasm for the retro-futuristic aesthetic of Nixie tubes and suggests that viewers recommend car models that would complement such a custom knob. The project diverges from previous ones as it requires high voltage, unlike the 5-volt displays used before. The host introduces PCBWay as the project's sponsor, offering services for PCB needs and a coupon for viewers. The 'easy Nixie' board is highlighted as the key component to control the Nixie tube, which is shown to be user-friendly despite the high voltage requirement. The host guides viewers through the process of downloading the necessary Arduino library and setting up the board, concluding with a successful test of the RGB LED on the board.

05:00

🔌 Wiring and Testing Nixie Tubes

In the second paragraph, the host delves into the wiring and testing of various Nixie tubes, starting with the common 12A type. The importance of correct orientation is emphasized, with a focus on the high voltage connection. The host connects the 5V and ground pins to the Arduino Uno and uploads a sketch to test the Nixie tube's functionality. The video demonstrates the successful display of numbers 0 to 9 on the Nixie tube. The host then explores different types of Nixie tubes, each with unique characters suitable for various applications. The discussion transitions to the design challenge of fitting the Nixie tube into a shifter knob, leading to a decision to modify the 3D model of the knob for better integration.

10:01

🖥️ 3D Modeling and Printing the Shifter Knob

The third paragraph details the 3D modeling process for the shifter knob using Fusion 360. The host creates a hollow bottom piece to accommodate the Nixie tube and ensures that the two pieces can be screwed together. After several iterations to adjust the spacing and fit, the host successfully 3D prints a test piece. The process involves fine-tuning the model to ensure easy assembly and a snug fit for the Nixie tube. The host also discusses the challenges of 3D printing the Nixie tube's outer shell, including measuring and modeling the pins' positions and creating a hexagonal shape. The video concludes with a successful 3D print of the Nixie tube's outer shell and the decision to combine it with the shifter knob design.

15:02

🏎️ Final Assembly and Nixie Tube Availability

The final paragraph covers the assembly of the Nixie tube into the shifter knob, including connecting the Nixie tube to the board with jumper wires and securing the pieces with a metal ring and cap. The host mentions the challenges of removing supports from 3D prints and the use of a special support filament to facilitate this process. The video concludes with a discussion on the availability of Nixie tubes, noting that while they are no longer in production, some companies are reproducing them. The host also suggests alternatives like 'fake' Nixie tube classes for those seeking a similar aesthetic. The video ends with a call for viewer comments and questions, and an invitation to future videos.

Keywords

💡Nixie tube

A Nixie tube is an electronic device that displays numbers using glow discharge. It was popular in the mid-20th century for digital clocks and is now considered a retro-futuristic element. In the video, the creator is interested in integrating a Nixie tube into a car's shifter knob to display the current gear, showcasing its unique glowing numerals as a blend of vintage and modern aesthetics.

💡Shifter knob

The shifter knob is the handle used to operate the gear shift in a manual transmission vehicle. In the context of the video, it's not just a functional component but also a canvas for innovation. The creator aims to enhance its appearance by embedding a Nixie tube, turning a mundane part into a distinctive feature of the car's interior.

💡Retro-futuristic

Retro-futuristic is a design aesthetic that combines elements of the past with futuristic themes, often seen in cars, fashion, and technology. The video's project embodies this by placing a vintage Nixie tube in a modern car part, suggesting a car design that would complement this blend, such as a classic car with modern technological features.

💡Arduino Uno

The Arduino Uno is a popular open-source microcontroller board used for various electronic projects. It operates at 5 volts, which is not sufficient for Nixie tubes that require higher voltage. The video discusses the challenge of integrating a Nixie tube with an Arduino Uno, highlighting the need for an additional high-voltage source to power the Nixie tube.

💡High voltage

High voltage, in this context, refers to the voltage levels above the standard 5 volts that the Arduino Uno provides. Nixie tubes need around 200 volts to operate, which is much higher than the safe voltage levels for direct connection to an Arduino Uno. The video explains the necessity of an external power source to achieve the required voltage for the Nixie tube to function.

💡PCB way

PCB way is mentioned as a sponsor in the video, offering services related to printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are essential for electronic projects. The video specifically mentions the 'Easy Nixie' PCB, which is designed to simplify the control of Nixie tubes, indicating the importance of specialized PCBs in complex electronic projects.

💡Kickstarter

Kickstarter is a crowdfunding platform often used to fund innovative projects. The 'Easy Nixie' board, which is central to the video's project, originated as a Kickstarter project. This highlights how Kickstarter can be a platform for funding niche technological innovations like the Nixie tube driver board.

💡3D printing

3D printing is a manufacturing process that creates three-dimensional objects by depositing material layer by layer. In the video, the creator uses 3D printing to customize the shifter knob, making it hollow to accommodate the Nixie tube. This showcases the versatility of 3D printing in creating custom parts for unique projects.

💡Fusion 360

Fusion 360 is a 3D CAD (computer-aided design) software used for creating and modeling 3D objects. The video's creator uses Fusion 360 to design the 3D printable shifter knob and Nixie tube enclosure, demonstrating how this software can be used to design complex shapes and assemblies for 3D printing.

💡Bamboo X1 Carbon

The Bamboo X1 Carbon is a 3D printer model used by the video creator for printing the custom shifter knob and Nixie tube enclosure. The choice of this printer reflects the need for high-quality 3D printing to achieve the precision and detail required for the project's components.

Highlights

Innovative project to integrate a Nixie tube into a shifter knob to display the current gear.

Nixie tubes require high voltage, unlike previous 5-volt displays, necessitating a different approach.

Introduction of the 'Easy Nixie' board, designed to simplify controlling Nixie tubes.

PCBWay sponsorship mentioned, offering PCB and assembly services with a special discount code.

Tutorial on downloading and installing the Easy Nixie Arduino Library from GitHub.

Demonstration of the Easy Nixie board's onboard LED functioning as a test.

Explanation of the correct orientation and connection of the Nixie tube to the Easy Nixie board.

Successful test of the Nixie tube displaying numbers 0 to 9 on the board.

Discussion on the variety of Nixie tubes and their unique characters for different applications.

Design challenge of fitting the Nixie tube inside a two-piece shifter knob.

3D modeling process to create a hollow shifter knob that can accommodate the Nixie tube.

Iterative design adjustments to ensure the Nixie tube fits within the shifter knob.

3D printing of the custom shifter knob and Nixie tube enclosure.

Use of specialized support filament for easier removal of 3D print supports.

Final assembly of the shifter knob with the Nixie tube, creating a unique and functional gear display.

Mention of the resurgence in Nixie tube production by companies like Delor Farney.

Alternative options for achieving a Nixie tube look with replica Nixie Cube clocks.

Transcripts

okay so today I will show you how to put

a Nixie tube inside the shifter knob to

show the current gear because because

why not I think the Nixie cubes looks

great and I think that this shifter knob

will fit nicely in some retro futuristic

kind of car maybe please let me know in

the comment section what car would be a

perfect fit for such a knp and this is

actually not the first time that I'm

putting a display inside the shifter knp

I have the entire video series I have

used the 128x 64 pixel old display I

have tried the seven times white LED

Matrix

display I was also experimenting with

the 5x5 RGB LED Matrix display and my

all-time favorite is this round full

color LCD

display however today's project is

slightly different all the previous

displays were working with the 5 volts

which is the same voltage used in the

Arduino Uno but Nixie tubes require high

voltage to operate so you cannot just

connect them directly to the Arduino Uno

as nothing would really happen you need

to provide required the high voltage not

5 volts but actually around 200 volts so

what's the secret source to make it work

well before I tell you let's talk about

the sponsor of today's project which is

PCB way because if you are making

electronic projects sooner or later you

might need pcbs or PCB assembly or SMD

stencils and PCB way offers all of those

services for a reasonable price on top

of it if you use the link down in the

description you can get 10 pcbs for free

only paying for shipping and PCB way

also created prototypes for this PCB

which is actually the secret source that

we will be using today it's called easy

Nixie and as the name suggests it should

make controlling nixes easy It also says

don't touch when powered which is

probably a reasonable thing to do again

because some of those pins will have

about 200 volts when powered up so let's

see how easy it is actually to control

the Nixie tube with the Arduino and this

board you can buy this board on the tii

store for $19 and if you use this very

cryptic looking CBE coupon code you can

actually get 10% off the creator of this

project use multiple of those modules

chained together to create this very

nice looking radio and it's just a great

looking project using all kinds of Nixie

cubes in different sizes and I would buy

that radio in a heartbeat but let's get

back to our project and the driver

board I believe that this easy Nixie

board started as a Kickstarter project

and it was successfully backed last year

and this Kickstarter page includes all

the important details

including some nice looking animations

and the list of Nixie tubes that could

be used with this board because there

are quite a lot of different Nixie tubes

out there if I keep scrolling down there

are more images showing different nxc

Cubes but I'm looking for the Arduino

code actually for the Arduino Library

which is down here so this is the link

for the GitHub page with the Arduino

Library so I'll just click this code

button and click download the zip file

open the Arduino IDE and then go to

sketch include library and select the Ed

zip Library

and selected the downloaded zip file and

click the open button and that will

install the library and once the library

is being installed we can go to file

examples located the library which is

this one easy Nixie and open some

example for example this basic LED now

there is not too much comments in this

sketch but I believe that this sketch is

just driving the onboard LED and not

controlling the Nixie Cube at this point

but it should be a simple way to see if

the board works let's write down those

pin connections actually let's jump back

to the Kickstarter page because here all

the pins are listed so let's just write

down those connections and try to

connect the board to the Arduino Uno in

the same way now I'm using the Arduino

Uno with this breadboard holder so

everything stays in place but you can as

well just use jumper wires or you can

for example use this breadboard

shield in any case I will connect the DS

in pin to pin 7 the DS out pin is not

connected that's only in the case if you

want to use multiple of those modules

then the St CP is to connect it to pin

number six and Sh CP is connected to pin

number two the outen is connected to pin

number three and the vlogic is connected

to 5 volts there are two more pins on

the other side of the board but I

believe that those are for powering up

the Nixie tube and since we don't have

the Nixie Cube connected at this point

let's not worry about it for now but of

course I do need to connect the Arduino

Uno to my PC using the USB cable and

back in the Arduino IDE I will select my

Arduino Uno from this drop down menu and

then click the upload

button and once this is uploaded we

should see the RGB LED on the board

changing the color now this is not a

neopixel LED it's just a standard RGB

LED with only a few predefined colors

but it's a great sign that this board is

working also to be fair I don't like

very much when the LED is shining below

the nxq so I'll most likely not use that

led anyway so let's disconnect the know

from the power and let's try to connect

the Nixie tube and again the kickstarter

page shows the list of supported Nixie

tubes so I've ordered all those five

different types this n cube is 12a which

is probably the most common one out of

those five types and I actually have

Nixie Cube clock from AliExpress that

uses four of those Nixie Cubes but for

our board I will connect to just one and

it's important to have the correct

orientation if you look closely there is

this small arrow pointing to one pin and

that's should be for the high voltage

power supply and that should be

connected to pin HV the high voltage on

the board the good news is that there is

quite tight fit for those pins so for

testing you don't actually have to

solder those connections but what we

have to do is to connect the 5vt and the

ground pins on the our side of the board

and of course those will be connected to

5vt and the ground pins on the Arduino

Uno just keep in mind that if you want

to use more than one dixie Cube you

should get a separate 5vt power supply

and so when with everything connected

let's also connect the USB cable to the

Arduino Uno and let's jump back into the

Arduino IDE in here I will again go to

file examples then open this easy Nixie

and this time I will select this hello

Nixie sketch and that should show

individual numbers on the Nixie Cube and

since we have everything connected all

there left to do is to click the upload

button and indeed after a few seconds we

see the numbers counting from zero all

the way to 9 on the nxq and again I

think this looks great I really like the

appearance of the Nixie cubes and how

they are glowing now this type the 12a

is obviously for displaying numbers 0 to

9 so let's take a closer look at the

other n tubes that I

have this other one is the 12b and from

the outside it looks exactly the same

but if I connect it you see that it also

includes the decimal point but it's not

on the right side it's on the left

side this Nixie cube is 15a and it has a

plus and minus signs as well as the

percentage and some

letters and this one is 15b which also

has a set of different characters for

volts and ohms and Hertz and so on and

of course those Nixie cubes were meant

for displays for some measuring

equipment which is a reason for having

those different

characters I have one more Nixie tube

this one is type 17 and it's very tiny

and it has those long connection which

were really hard to put inside this

board and as you can see I had to also

solder those but this display is just

very cute but back to my project I

wanted to see if I can fit the Nixie

Cube inside the shifter knap and I have

a lot of 3D printed shifter knaps from

my last videos for example this one so

as you can see the Nixie Cube should fit

inside the problem is that my shifter

knap is made from two pieces and they

are connected using the nut and bolt

which means that I would need to place

the Nixie tube only inside the top part

and that might not be possible there is

not enough space which means that I need

to change my design so there is more

space inside and those two pieces are

connected in a different way and so I've

decided to make the bottom piece Hollow

and screw those two pieces together as

always I'm using Fusion 364 modeling and

I've started with the simplest possible

model to test how I can fit those two

pieces together so I've created a new

rectangle and then using the revolve

tool I've created the outside part and

then I've used the the Fret tool to add

a fret to the inside and when doing this

don't forget to check this modelet

checkbox to add the actual 3D geometry

and from my current knp I've measured

that the size should be around 48 mm so

I did went with this size and the

spacing between those individual threets

is 3 mm and of course I wanted to make

this as big as possible for easy 3D

printing but at the same time I want to

keep at least one or two Frets inside so

it feels like that the 3mm spacing is

about right then I rol the second

geometry that's the inner part and added

the fret in the very same way so added

the Fret to the outside with the very

same settings and then I've added some

additional geometry so I can screw those

together once 3D printed quite easily

something like that but after 3D

printing it I realized that it's almost

impossible to screw those two pieces

together because there is simply not

enough space between those two threets

so I have used the offset face tool to

offset those threet faces and ended up

using minus 0.2

mm then it was time to 3D print it again

and you can right click the body and

select save as mesh and save it as a fre

MF file format or you can go to file and

select 3D print and if you set the path

to your printing utility you can just

click the okay button and it will

automatically open in that

application this time for 3D printing

I'm using the bambo X1 Carbon 3D

printer with the 0.4 mm nozzle I'm using

all the default settings no changes in

there so I can just click the slice

plate button and then take a look at

those IND layers to see if there is

anything wrong which doesn't seems to be

the case which means that I can send it

to the printer by clicking the print

plate button and of course I do want to

record the time lapse and click the send

button that will send the file to the

printer and then it will jump to the

device stab where I can see the live

stream from the printer

itself so let me quickly show you the

time

lapse and this is the finished print and

with the slightly bigger spacing in

between those spreads it's very easy

easy to screw those two parts together

and so once this test part was working I

did 3D print just a section of the

actual knp just to make sure that it

will work with the actual knp shape and

since this was working as expected I did

3D print the hollow shifter knp with the

big hole inside at that point it was

time to 3D print the outside shape of

the Nixie Cube and that was quite

challenging partially because there is

no accurate technical drawing but also

because every Nixie tube is just

slightly different what's not so much

different is the placement of those pins

so I've measured those positions and

created this sketch and later on I did

found this image and you can see I have

those positions almost correct so this

is 8 and 11.5 that was the same

positions as for the vertical positions

those are 18 16 and n and I've measured

almost the same numbers which is of

course great and then I've measured the

outer size of the Nixie Cube and created

this sketch which also creates those

helper lines on the top and bottom to

create this hexagon shape then it was

time to create three mhes out of those

sketches by extruding parts and pieces

and I ended up with the shape that looks

like this so this is without the section

analysis and this is with dsection

analysis and I of course need to round

those Corners a little bit and for that

I used the def fillet tool and I was

playing with the different radius as

well as with this tangency weight

settings and you can set the radius with

this arrow and the tangency weight with

this small Arrow so you can just change

the shape of those rounded Corners I've

added two more fillets one on the top

part to make make it easier to put the

Nixie tube inside and one for the outer

edges so I don't have to print that much

of the

material in the end the final test shape

looks like this and of course the first

Brint was too small and I did forgot to

add the hole in the middle for this

small part in the center but

surprisingly the second print was almost

perfect I mean I thought that I will be

tweaking this shape all day long but

thankfully that wasn't the case I can

fit the pins nicely and I can fit the NX

Cube from the top side and fortunately

not from the bottom side because I

haven't realized that the Nixie cube is

slightly bigger on the bottom side so I

had to make one more iteration to make

everything slightly bigger and now the

Nixie Cube fits very nicely so all

there's left to do is to combine this

shape this outside of the Nixie Cube

shape with the shifter knp shape you can

see that I can put this shape inside

that wasn't actually intentional that's

just a nice

coincidence in the end those two shapes

combined looks like this this is with

the section analysis you can see the

there is a little bit of space in

between those two bodies and that's

because the same as the last time I will

put the metal ring inside in between

those but if for any reason you don't

want to do that there is also a space on

the bottom so you can screw those all

the way without having any Gap inside

other than that there is really nothing

special or different from the last time

so it's time to 3D print it again by

going to file and selecting 3D print and

I think that you can select those

individual bodies but you can also click

on this body itself and that should

export all those bodies inside so click

the okay button and that will open that

file in the bamboo studio and when

import it it looks like this both of

those pieces are on the same position so

I'll click this arrange all button that

should fix it and I will also click the

AO Orient button because I want this

piece to be on the other side so if I

click it it should hopefully fix it but

if I slice the plate you can see that

there is some big overhang on both of

those pieces it's this blue one and de

blue one and it's actually more visible

in the fusion 360 so for the top part

it's this overhead H and for the bottom

part it's de

overhang and I don't think that I can

print it without supports so inside the

bambo studio I will enable supports and

slice the plate again but now those

supports are also in places where I

don't like them like for example around

this small fret so I will decrease the

threshold angle to maybe only 10° and

then slice the plate again so now I only

have those supports below those pieces

where I want them to be but after

printing this I realized that it's very

hard to remove the supports around those

fret so I've also increased the distance

between those threets by increasing the

support object XY distance from 0.35 all

the way to 2 mm so now there should be

much more space between the Fret and the

support itself but it should still

support the thing that I want to support

which is this piece and on the left side

it's that area the good news is that

those supports are in places which will

not be visible but after fre printing it

it was still quite hard to remove the

supports from the right piece it was

just sticking to the object quite a lot

so what I've done instead was to get a

special filament for supports for both

the PLA and petg which unfortunately now

is out of stock and I did put it inside

the AMS unit inside the automatic

material selection unit which means that

I can click this button to synchronize

the filaments from my printer so click

the sync button and right now I have

three different filaments installed so

for the main parts I want to use this

grayish blue filament for both of those

and then I will go to supports and for

the ref interface I want to use this

support for pla filament and it will

tell me that there are some recommended

settings I think that I will use them so

click the yes button and if I click the

slice plate button now you will see that

in between the support and the actual

object we have two layers of this

special filament so one and two layer on

the right side and we should get the

same thing on the left side so around

here you can see that we have those two

layers with a special filament and then

there is the object so there's actually

very little filament changes only five

and we will use almost no support

material so I think that this point it's

time to 3D print it by clicking the

print plate button and then of course

clicking the send button and here is

again the short time laps of the 3D

printing process now since the support

filament is almost transparent you

probably cannot see the filament changes

during the printing process also because

we are only using two layers for the top

piece and two layers for the bottom

piece but let's wait until the 3D print

is

finished and the pla support material

really makes a big difference I can very

easily remove the supports from the

actual 3D printed piece which means that

all that's left to do is to just put

everything

together so the Nixie Cube should be

placed in the top

piece I will use jumper wires to connect

to the Nixie Cube then I will screw

those two pieces together with the metal

ring being in

between and finally add this metal cap

on the bottom

piece I will connect all the wires to

the board and we have probably the most

unusual shift turn up out there now what

I haven't mentioned is that those Nixie

cubes are not being manufactured anymore

so they are all quite old and sometimes

hard to get but there are few companies

that are starting to produce Nixie cubes

again one of them is a person named

delor Farney and I have one of his Nixie

cube in this big can so let me just open

it connected to the power and as you can

see this is just a huge Nixie Cube which

just looks stunning unfortunately what's

not so stunning is the price but you can

get a similar Nixie tube look with those

fake Nixie Cube clars and I have a few

videos where I describe how to create

your own themes for those clars I will

put the links down in the

description anyway that's all for today

all for Nixie tubes if you have any

questions or comments please put those

down in the comment section thank you

very much for watching and I hope to see

you soon thanks and bye