 Some things
just shouldn't be done, like converting a World War II era Douglas DC-3 airplane's
engine from its original twin multi-cylinder radials to jet-engine-powered turboprops;
it violates nature's rules. Another example might be installing a
 digital speedometer
in a vintage pickup truck. I say 'might' because thanks to Luke Miller's ingenuity,
his 1953 International pickup truck - indeed the world - now has a proven plan for
a GPS-driven, two-digit speedometer featuring a Nixie tube numerical display. A
two-part article on the EE Times website provides the theory of operation and
the details for constructing the Nixie tube speedometer. Why GPS-driven, you might
ask? It was evidently simpler - and more impressive - to do so than to tap into
the truck's speedometer cable and implement a sensor. An added benefit is portability.
This looks like a Kickstarter opportunity for commercial productization if there
ever was one.
 
2-Digit, GPS-Driven, Nixie Tube Speedometer, by Luke Miller
In other Nixie tube news, the
Nixie Chessboard DIY kit is now available for sale just in time
for Christmas! The price is $399, a mere pittance of a sum when you consider it
includes 32 Nixie tubes and all the required parts, even the 12V power supply. Unfortunately,
if you want give it as a gift, you'll have to wrap a promise for delivery in 2014
because its popularity has caused a stock depletion.
 
Posted December 18, 2013
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