How to limit characters

I do have a code here, all I want if possible… not to use excerpt.
Instead use a character limitation, a code that can be added inside this code.

<?php
$recentPosts = new WP_Query();
$recentPosts->query('showposts=3&offset=1');

while($recentPosts->have_posts()) :
$recentPosts->the_post();?>

<a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a>
<?php the_excerpt(); ?>
<?php the_time('Y') ?>, <?php the_time('M') ?> <?php the_time('jS') ?>
<?php comments_popup_link('No Comments', '1 Comment', '% Comments'); ?>

<?php endwhile; ?>

Thank you.