Thanks for the tips... bistable relays seem to be the way to go, at least for a prototype.
Stepper switches / uniselectors look fascinating, and I may go for that instead if I can source some. On Thursday, August 8, 2013 3:44:29 AM UTC+9, Matthew Cameron wrote: > > If you are going for the click sound, also consider using a 10 position > stepper switch. One stepper can control an entire digit and > could be used to advance the next stepper. These, and other like them > were used in rotary phone systems. Some of those have a > release relay, so you can reset a digit to 0 or off from any state. Since > these require more current, I would expect for them to be > louder than modern 5V relays, but they draw nothing when they are not > moving. I would expect for the old steppers to sound quite > monotonous over time, but maybe less so if put in a tight wooden enclosure > or something. > > Mechanical Nixie tube Clock: > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YajwGdbXV1w > (no relation to me) > > On 08/07/2013 05:50 AM, ahochan wrote: > > Hi, > > > > I'm thinking of creating a Nixie clock controlled by mechanical 5V > relays. > > > > I won't do anything fancy, just static drive with the Nixie anode > connected > > to 180VDC through a resistor and one relay for each cathode. The relay > coils > > will be connected to uC pins via either individual transistors or > perhaps > > a darlington array. Like so: > > > > 180V > > | > > R (anode resistor) > > | > > Nixie > > | ... | > > 1 relay for each cathode (connected to GND) > > > > Schematic here: > > https://www.dropbox.com/s/r67bnrz09b4xivv/relay-nixie-test-board.png > > > > I'll probably use IN-4 tubes, but that may change. > > > > I have two questions: > > > > * Does my schematic look sane? > > > > * Can anyone recommend a relay to use? > > I'm looking for a relay that can be switched from 5VDC. There are many > > available in small form factors, but most seem to be rated for > 250VAC/30VDC > > or similar. (I guess a relay rated for a lower DC voltage might be ok > too, > > since it will only pull 3-4mA) > > > > I want a mechanical relay... since the main point of this exercise is to > get > > the clicking sound when the relays switch. > > > > Thanks in advance. > > -- 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 [email protected]. To post to this group, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/94244bed-18ca-4d52-9dd1-e909d4e1eadb%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
