Reworking a TIX Clock - Get Help Here!

[blackc2004]

Hello,
I have a strange question. I have a TIX clock and would like to basically enlarge it. So I'd like to take the controller card off of the TIX board << link to cuberoot.com removed by berkeman -- possible virus issues >> and create a new board that will support these: http://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=679

Can anyone point me in a direction of how I might do this? I was thinking I might be able to just solder the the contacts for the new LED bars onto the current board. But I don't think the board can support that.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. I'm not an EE, just a CS. lol

I can post any pics of the board or other information that might be helpful.

Thanks,
Cj B

 

[NoTime]

What do they use to drive the existing display?
A schematic would help.

The display units you want to use are 12v at 30ma.
You probably need a new power supply to get the 12v and switch transistors to drive each unit.

 

[Danger]

Black, thank you so much for this post. I've never heard of a TIX clock before, but now that I've seen your link I have to have one. That is so cool...

 

[blackc2004]

Yeah. I'm sure I'll have to get a new power supply.

I'm not really sure what they use to drive it now.. Would pictures of the board help?

Thanks,
Cj B

 

[NoTime]

No, pictures arn't that usefull.
Need the display driver components (with part numbers) and the connections between the components.
You can trace this off the circuit board, but its a long tedious job. What you end up with when the job is complete is a schematic.

 

[chroot]

Shouldn't be hard. Use the signals which light up the (low power) LEDs to control power MOSFET devices to supply 12V to the large, high-power light bars from an external power supply.

- Warren

 

[blackc2004]

Shouldn't be hard. Use the signals which light up the (low power) LEDs to control power MOSFET devices to supply 12V to the large, high-power light bars from an external power supply.

- Warren

Ahh. Now that sounds like the idea I had in mind... So this does seem like it's doable! I'm meeting with a UCI student today to go over the project.

 

[NoTime]

Shouldn't be hard. Use the signals which light up the (low power) LEDs to control power MOSFET devices to supply 12V to the large, high-power light bars from an external power supply.

- Warren

30ma @ 12v?
A small bipolar switch transistor should do the job.
A power MOSFET is a bit of overkill here.

You might even be able to convince the existing driver circuit to do the job directly with minor changes.
This would be my first approach at the issue.

 

[chroot]

NoTime,

I didn't look at the current specs for the light bars. I just assumed they were big, and drew a lot of current.

- Warren

 

[blackc2004]

Hi there. Here's the final version!

 

[NoTime]

Cool

 

[berkeman]

It looks like some of you were able to view the cuberoot.com link without any problems, but it did something bad to my computer. Symantec antivirus complained about a virus intrusion that I'm still dealing with, and it left behind a new URL in my Internet Options homepage. I deleted the link from the OP. This may just be a coincidence, however, so apologies if cuberoot.com is a valid link. I'm not going to be trying it again to check it.

 

[Danger]

That looks great, Black.

 

[Danger]

Message to Berkeman;
I tried to respond to your PM, but couldn't because my mailbox is full. Can you dig it out anyhow?

 

[berkeman]

Message to Berkeman;
I tried to respond to your PM, but couldn't because my mailbox is full. Can you dig it out anyhow?

Hi Danger, I sent you an e-mail instead. Thanks.