Here's the current status as of April 16, 2024. The test display has been running for a few weeks now at low intensity, using my waveform generator (1kHz) and a reverse-wired power transformer. I'm not noticing any degradation of intensity yet.
The inverter design has stalled for a bit while I wrap-up another clock (uses IEE projection-type displays). SPICE simulations of the inverter are showing a lot of ringing, which has been a challenge to get rid of, and there is a mysterious asymmetry into the transformer. This is causing imbalance, and that results in a net DC current, which is not only wasteful but also will cause saturation of the transformer. I'm also trending to use a triangular waveform, rather than sinusoidal, because it results in constant current (well, at least theoretically...) for the display. Opto triacs are easier to use than regular ones, so I expect to go with those and drive them from a serial chain of shift registers. I standardized a serial link for my projects using 10-conductor ribbon cable, using the same signals/levels as used by the HV5532 (and similar) drivers. Each IEL-0-IV display is 8 segments, so 48 bits will control a 6-character display via direct-drive. I wont use, or attempt to use, multiplexing. Adding more characters is as simple as adding more serial devices. Right now I think I will have 2 displays per board; keeping the PCBs less than 100mm/side (4 inches) keeps the price way down at PCBWay. A run of 10 boards is around 14 USD ($5 total for the 10 boards, $9 for shipping). As far as controlling the serial link, I use a Raspberry Pi Zero W. I'm sure any controller will work as long as you use a level-shifter for the serial interface. On Tuesday, April 16, 2024 at 2:56:07 PM UTC-7 Nick Andrews wrote: > Okay, so after realizing my search parameters were off, I found and bought > 10 of the same 'Predator" style EL displays. Supposed to be here in 5 or > so weeks... So I'll be interested. > > On Fri, Apr 5, 2024 at 2:55 AM Michail Wilson <m...@michail.com> wrote: > >> That is the type of burn in I have experienced as well. >> >> Not just on the small one you have, but on the various sizes. >> >> >> >> Michail Wilson >> >> 206-920-6312 <(206)%20920-6312> >> >> >> >> *From:* neoni...@googlegroups.com <neoni...@googlegroups.com> *On Behalf >> Of *gregebert >> *Sent:* Tuesday, April 2, 2024 11:23 AM >> *To:* neonixie-l <neoni...@googlegroups.com> >> *Subject:* Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Anyone want to collaborate on >> electroluminescent display projects ? >> >> >> >> There are some on Ebay right now (I have no affiliation with the seller). >> Do a search for IEL-0. I suggest shopping around for awhile to get the >> best price. I'm a bit nervous about the IEL-0-IV displays. After 10 days of >> basic testing, my test device has noticeable burning, though I cant confirm >> if the luminous output has dropped. I need to build a photometer and do >> more testing. Prior to using it, the entire screen was the same color. >> >> >> >> >> >> On Tuesday, April 2, 2024 at 8:46:06 AM UTC-7 Nick Andrews wrote: >> >> Has anyone seen any of these for sale in the last few years? I'd be >> interested in the project if I had some! >> >> >> >> On Mon, Apr 1, 2024, 5:24 PM gregebert <greg...@hotmail.com> wrote: >> >> Right now it looks like there will be 3 different PCB's: One for the HV >> power supply, one for a single I-95, and another for 2-4 IEL-0-IV (I havn't >> sized the board yet, but it needs to be less than 4" per side). I use a >> modular design approach, and everything is connected with a 10-pin >> ribbon-cable serial bus I call IOLINK. So if you are willing to adapt your >> favorite controller to the IOLINK interface, which uses 12V signalling (2 >> inputs, 5 outputs), these boards will be workable for you. >> >> On Monday, April 1, 2024 at 7:59:59 AM UTC-7 Keith Moore wrote: >> >> I am interested but not much help with the design. I'd love to use my >> displays though. >> >> On Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 1:43:24 PM UTC-4 gregebert wrote: >> >> I'm finally at the point I have time to work on a design for my >> Soviet-era electroluminescent displays. I have 2 types, the smaller >> IEL-0-IV, and a much larger I-195. Both are the 'alien' style formats, and >> will make unusual clocks. >> >> >> >> I have done some very initial testing on the smaller one, and it appears >> to be burning the phosphor after just a few hours of usage. It's not lit >> very bright, so I dont know if this is a common burn-in phase, or not. >> Documentation is pretty limited, and I've been running a 50-page document >> page-by-page thru google translate; so far nothing has come up regarding >> burn-in. >> >> >> >> If anyone out there is working-on IEL's, or planning-to do so, please >> chime in so we can start a discussion here. >> >> >> >> -- >> >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com. >> >> To view this discussion on the web, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/d07a2249-b58a-4b4b-8769-f04ad827a80bn%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/d07a2249-b58a-4b4b-8769-f04ad827a80bn%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com. >> To view this discussion on the web, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/f0a44f8d-9c21-4e6d-a0f5-110b07630132n%40googlegroups.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/f0a44f8d-9c21-4e6d-a0f5-110b07630132n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> >> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "neonixie-l" group. >> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an >> email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com. >> > To view this discussion on the web, visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/SA0PR01MB6170D0E7D11FEAC8EEE8C90F823E2%40SA0PR01MB6170.prod.exchangelabs.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/SA0PR01MB6170D0E7D11FEAC8EEE8C90F823E2%40SA0PR01MB6170.prod.exchangelabs.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >> . >> > -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. 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