Trying to understand this.

>>153391
this

>>153392

What I mean is why not use one tansistor to switch the HV on and off?

Correct me if I am wrong but they use transistor to trigger other transistors?

i need to figure out some simple wiring for running these off of an arduino chip... thankfully its taking forever to get here from china so i have some time. still need the tubes though. any sites i should look for or just whatever ones major in tubes?

>>153396
>>153392

Anyone?

>>153391
>>153392
>>153396

The upper transistors are the actual switches. They either connect the nixies to the supply voltage (Vnixie) or let them float. However, their control voltage is referenced to Vnixie. If Vbase = Vnixie, they're off and if Vbase < Vnixie-0.6V, they're on. Since the controlling processor can't produce such voltages, a level shifter is required. The lower transistor does that. When the processor drives it on, it pulls the upper transistor's base low enough to make it turn on.

You could do the same with a single transistor. In that case the transistor would be connected across the nixie. That solution wastes power, though.

Oh, and there's an error in that schematic. Lower transistors are NPNs.

I saw a Kickstarter project yesterday about a alarm clock with nixie tubes. It would cost 100 dollars more than the LED version. The developer says it is because nixie tubes are expensive. Is this true?
Also if someone knows of a cheap nixie tube clock let me know

>>153661

Yes, nixies are expensive.
Dunno how justified the price was, though.

Check ebay for prices, if you're interested.

>>153379
why the fuck are these cold war era displays so damned prohibitively expensive

has anyone thought of nixie fakes, with something like red el wire?

>>153684

They were expensive to begin with (complex, unpopular).
Now they're decades old antique and hordes of clock builders want to buy them.

>>153661
i can recommend PV electronics ordered my kit a few months ago and i got my IN-8-2 kit + DCF77 receiver for 100 euros +55 euros or something for the machined aluminium case. the clock is awesome

>>153652

Thank you sir

>>153652

The 74141s act as a BCD decoder that can switch the high voltage - input is normal TTL level. The transistors seem completely unnecessary

>>154889

Remember thats in the schematic, the tubes are multiplexed.

Now, could you explain how you would do it?

>6 Tubes, Arduino (limited IO)

Pic related, each of my modules are like that

>>154893

>>154893

Dont really have to multiplex them if you have better idea

>Pic related Schematic of the modules

>>154889
when the "all digits off" code is input to the 74141, a dim glow remains on all the digits. so to fully turn off the tube, the datasheet recommends cutting power to the anode. its not really that noticeable but some like it totally dark.

>>154893

You can drive 2 74141s from a single 595 shift register, assuming that you're firing them at a 100% duty cycle.

Is there a schematic for building a nixie wrist watch out there somewhere? Still searching the internet but no real luck after five minutes.

>>154907

What kind of power supply would I need?

Because I was thinking of using a Switch Mode converter like this one:

ledsales.com.au/kits/nixie_supply.pdf

>>155428

Would the Switch Mode converter be enough to power all tubes at once?

>>156022
made from that schematic

>>156019
Would this :>>156022
Be enough to power 6 tubes at the same time?

>>156539

Should be.

>>156554

Dont want to be rude or anything, but on what are you basing yourself to affirm this?

Any modification? Bigger cap/coil would maybe imply flicker?

I dont want to piss off anyone here so instead I ask: is there anywhere that I can learn about this? It looks really awesome and I really want to try it out.

>>156854

I'm basing it on the claimed output current on the schematic and the usual operating current of small nixies.

You can also fuck with component values, if it's not powerful enough.

>>155153
http://cathodecorner.com/nixiewatch/index.html
He also sells complete watches, but they are expensive.
easy peasy lemon squeezy

>>156019
Depends on the tube size.

Bigger tube = bigger filament = bigger current draw.

>>157711
My modules uses IN-14

Here is a datasheet I found:

tubehobby.com/datasheets/in14.pdf

>>157711
nixies no have filament. its a neon bulb.

>>157837
Then what do you call the wire that glows red hot?

>>158417

Nixies are cold cathode tubes. There are no red hot parts.

suck my fick wil i fux dat a$$ H3I

>>158421
I have no idea what else to call that color other than "red hot" even if it produces very little heat.

I guess they're just cathodes, as opposed to an incandescent filament type readout tube. The more you know.

>>158424

You can call that color "orange" or "red-orange".
Here's some reading: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glow_discharge

>Then what do you call the wire that glows red hot?
gas ionization caused by high voltage.

>>158417

Wait, Seriously?

Love the glow of the nixies?

>>158417
I thought those were tiny tiny tiny thin neon bulbs?

12012012011 2012012011 2012012011 2012012011 2012012011 2012012011 43670 43670 79494 48547 19413 36880 00203 82567 76641 71299 22621 67052 68141 79704 91390 42843 42085 96007 75006 15310 11962 85345 52076 32732 15540 98495 08506 27522 68818 78866 57862 36410 32143 98039 77423 34913 05566 71895 12177 56546 77806 25864 47606 54693 08936 48835 34652 12577 01740 79672 94193 07710 24606 66221 76508 13252 76712 42001 99009 31059 85263 57667 00853 24395 57932 76867 24441 35306 40762 55655 69342 008113 000000

Dumping.

This is the board I designed for my clock. I still need to reroute some stuff, but its not bad. 4 nixies, avr programming interface, i2c, 16 gpio's, pins for switches for hour/min.

I wish these exact tubes were available for cheap.

>>160044
10 bucks each is decent, but still pricy.

>>160045
decent but pricey?
Pretty much what it has to be if you want nixie tubes, isn't it?

nothing better than waking up every morning with the soft orange glow of my nixies

>>160272
Seriously, Cant wait to put this together.

>Nothing better then going to slee... ho wait

This looks like retarded 7 segment display

>>161519
its before that came out with these.

>>160042
any info on how to make this?

Check old test equipment. Look for stores that sell old test equipment, It's where the tubes first came from. Also it's helpful to be friendly with the older engineering crowd. Be friendly enough and they can point you to some interesting spots. Old surplus stores are awesome for this if there's any in your area.

>>160044
looks like the basic burroughs model that's in every home bench frequency counter/voltmeter. two lines of leads from front to back and the stout stand up tube indicate that much to me at least

question: what's everyone's preference and thoughts on American tubes and Russian tubes?

>>161919
inb4 shitstorm

the hell with this neon glow stuff. just use led displays. no need for high voltage power supplies.

>2012
>still using tubes
ISHYGDDT

>>161983
>2012
>2011's ISHYGDDT

get outta here you faggot

>>161986

What's wrong? Butthurt because of your inferior hipster-tubes?

>>161990
>butthurt

Jesus.....

>>161986
>2012
>referencing 2011
>implying not using the superior 2013
I SHIGGY MY DIGGY

>>161990
>>161983

TUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUBES

nah. vfds are the best.

>>162013

Lol. I have somewhere a 40 character dot matrix VFD. Every time I see it, I consider making a controller for it. Then I give up, since I don't really have any need for such display.

Any good website to get them other then eBay?

>>162808
i just discovered neonixie.com/