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April 14, 2018
Blanking Mode
Tube Healing Mode
During display blanking mode, the tubes will be off depending on the display blanking
settings, but the LEDs will continue to work as usual, telling you that the clock is still
running.
You can configure the display to blank at weekends, during week days, always or never
(the default). Also, you can define hours during which to blank. For example, I have a
setting saying that the clock is blanked on weekdays between 7am and 4 pm, while I am
out at work. At weekends, the display runs all the time.
You are also able to override the blanking. Press the button while the clock is blanked, and
the display will come on again. Pressing the button will display the time for about a minute
(60 seconds, but the display is only blanked on the minute change).
If you press the button multiple times within 5 seconds, the blanking will stay off for longer
periods:
• 1 Press: 60 seconds
• 2 Presses: 1 hour
• 3 Presses: 4 hours
After a long period, tube fil
aments which are not often used (e.g. the “9” on the tens of
hours or minutes) can get dim, despite the ACP that is regularly done.
If you make a “super
-
long” press of the button (more than 8 seconds), the clock will enter
filament healing mode. All the power will be placed through a single filament of a single
digit to clean it. A short press will change the selected filament.
Another super-long press or cycling through all the filaments will return the clock to
normal.
Caution
! Don't leave a single filament in this state for an extended period. It is a harsh
process and may damage the tube if you leave it in this mode for too long. Normally a few
minutes will restore the cathode digit.
