Ahh, ok then...it appears that the answer to my previous
question is that there is *not* any modern low current
single-package 16-pin DIP equivalent to the old 7441 or 74141
or the russian versions of these.

That being the case, even though the old 7441/74141 draw
a bit of current, they remain the simplest, one-package
solution.

Am I wrong here?  Am I missing something?

Chuck







>
>
>---- Original Message ----
>From: [email protected]
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] Yet more 7441, 74141 questions
>Date: Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:39:07 -0800
>
>>Here's a link to a reply from David Forbes on this subject:
>>http://groups.google.com/group/neonixie-l/msg/6195ec3c9b90f2ee
>>
>>-Adam
>>
>>On 11/23/2011 12:33 PM, Adam Jacobs wrote:
>>> This is a question that gets asked & answered on this list 
>>> occasionally. I think that the simplest/easiest answer is to use
>an 
>>> array of high voltage drivers on a BCD->Decimal IC. Turns into a
>ton 
>>> of transistors if you are not multiplexing, though. Mike Moorrees
>has 
>>> some much more elegant and interesting ideas in old posts on this 
>>> subject. Also, Supertex has a whole line of modern HV driver
>chips, 
>>> some members of the list have spent time looking into their
>suitability.
>>> One nice thing to remember is that the extinguishing voltage on a 
>>> nixie is usually less than 50v (hence the zeners in the 74141).
>Once 
>>> the nixie is sunk by ~50v, the nixie turns off - so the driver IC 
>>> doesn't have to actually since 180v.
>>>
>>> -Adam
>>>
>>> On 11/23/2011 12:27 PM, chuck richards wrote:
>>>> It's a clock that I designed from scratch.
>>>> Basically, it was an exercise in using (6) 74LS160
>>>> synchronous counters.  It gets the HHMM set via a bank
>>>> of (4) thumbwheel switches, and the SS gets zeroed out
>>>> and clock stopped via another spring-return toggle switch.
>>>>
>>>> It worked so well that I later decided to make it into a
>>>> low current version in order to be as easy on the backup
>>>> battery as possible.  So, I used all HC and HCT parts.
>>>>
>>>> I used 7441 drivers because that is what I have around here.
>>>> I am not aware that any low-current versions of those
>>>> drivers were ever manufactured.
>>>>
>>>> Indeed, *is* there any modern low-current bcd-to-decimal
>>>> high voltage ic that provides a one-package 16 pin DIP
>>>> solution to this requirement?   Is there?  Please let me
>>>> know if there is.
>>>>
>>>> I am now making up another similar clock, but using 8422 tubes
>>>> instead of 6844A kind.   Just thought if I could power down
>>>> the 7441/74141 ics when running on backup battery, that would
>>>> save the bulk of about 60 mA.
>>>>
>>>> What low current drivers would you suggest?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks again for all of your help!
>>>> You guys are a great bunch!          -Chuck
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ---- Original Message ----
>>>>> From: [email protected]
>>>>> To: [email protected]
>>>>> Subject: RE: [POSSIBLE SPAM]  Re: [neonixie-l] Yet more 7441,
>74141
>>>>> questions
>>>>> Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:03:23 -0800
>>>>>
>>>>>> Is this a clock that was already built and you have been
>modifying
>>>>> for
>>>>>> lower current use? or is this a clock that you designed from
>the
>>>>>> ground-up for low current? If it is the latter, I can't help
>>>>> wondering
>>>>>> why there are 74141's in there at _all_. :)
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -Adam
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On 11/21/2011 10:03 AM, chuck richards wrote:
>>>>>>> In an effort to build a low-current nixie clock,
>>>>>>> I tried using all 74HC parts.  That works great,
>>>>>>> but there are still the (6) 7441, or 74141 TTL drivers.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> How about this idea?   When the clock is running on
>>>>>>> the backup battery with no line power, what if 5 volts
>>>>>>> Vcc were to be removed from the 7441/74141 drivers?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> That way, the clock itself would keep time, and the current
>>>>>>> draw on the battery would be kept as low as possible since
>>>>>>> only the CMOS ics would be running.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Question:   If the ground is kept on the 7441/74141 ics
>>>>>>> and the Vcc lead is disconnected, will that cause any
>>>>>>> problems for the 74HC160 counters that have their bcd outputs
>>>>>>> feeding the 7441/74141 bcd inputs?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> In other words, I am concerned about the possibility of
>>>>>>> the 7441/74141 having some path that would try to
>>>>>>> draw excessive current from the inputs when Vcc is
>>>>>>> disconnected.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Is this a good idea to try, or is it a recipe for
>>>>>>> trashing some HC160 counters?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Thanks.  Chuck
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> $4.95/mo. National Dialup, Anti-Spam, Anti-Virus, 5mb personal
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>>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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