Nixie & Numitron Clock Guides

Straight answers to the questions we hear most often, written from actually designing, sourcing, and hand-building these kits — not summarised from a datasheet. Each guide links to the specific clocks and manuals it's relevant to.

Tubes

How long do Nixie tubes actually last?

15,000-25,000+ hours at rated current — but storage age, over-driving, and cathode poisoning matter more than raw clock-face hours. Includes how to tell a dying tube from a dying board.

IN-14, Z570M, or IN-8-2 — which tube should I choose?

All three plug into the same medium-tube holder boards. Here's how their glow, digit font, size, and availability actually differ, and how to pick.

Is Nixie tube voltage dangerous?

Tubes need ~170-180V DC internally, generated from a low-voltage 5-12V input. What that means for safety in a finished clock versus during DIY assembly.

Buying Decisions

Kit or fully assembled — which should I buy?

Same electronics either way — what actually changes is who solders it, the price, and whether you handle the HV section yourself during build.

Nixie or Numitron — which should I buy?

Neon glow discharge versus incandescent filament digits — how they differ in glow character, voltage, and mechanical simplicity.

Classic vs Modular vs MNC6 — which clock range?

What actually separates the ranges by tube family, form factor, and price point — plus where to compare them directly today.

Assembly & DIY

How hard is it to solder a Nixie clock kit?

Through-hole soldering skill is all it takes — the real risk is sequencing, not soldering technique. Includes a sensible build order.

What tools do I need to build a Nixie clock kit?

A basic electronics bench covers it — iron, solder, a 200V-rated multimeter, flush cutters, and good lighting for the tube sockets.

My clock won't power on / a tube won't light — what do I check first?

Power input first, then tube socket seating, then the HV rail — a step-by-step triage before you assume something's broken.

Software & Connectivity

Does a Nixie clock need WiFi to keep accurate time?

WiFi models sync via NTP and stay accurate indefinitely; offline models use an onboard RTC that drifts a few seconds a month.

Can I set up the WiFi clock without an app, and does it need the cloud?

What WiFi is actually used for on these clocks, and the ongoing network dependency (or lack of it) after initial setup.

Care & Maintenance

Can I leave my Nixie clock on 24/7?

Yes — continuous use is well within rated tube life. The real consideration is cathode poisoning on static digits, not longevity.

How do I clean a Nixie tube and clock case?

Dry microfiber or isopropyl alcohol for the glass, never sprayed directly — plus what to avoid on different case materials.

Ian Sparkes

Founder, TSM Ltd

Ian studied Electronic Engineering at the University of Nottingham, then spent his career in software and embedded systems engineering (he now works in blockchain). He founded TSM Ltd and designs the driver electronics and firmware behind every Nixie and Numitron clock kit sold on this site, hand-building and testing each kit before it ships from Switzerland. He also answers the support inbox directly — the notes on these pages come from tubes and boards he has actually worked on, not a generic overview.