If you want to be sure that the high voltage power part is as good as it can be, then I would replace the most relevant parts, if you haven't already replaced them recently:
- L1 (inductor) - M1 (mosfet) - Q4 (transistor) - D2 (diode) - C6 (capacitor, but you already replaced it, so I wouldn't do it again). - C2 and C7, just in case. I would especially do this if you are sure that the mosfet used to be clearly much cooler before (which, from your description of it being so hot that it smells, sounds like it would be the case). Just get some flux, some desoldering wick, and you'll have it fixed in a fun hour or two. I agree that it's annoying to have to pay $6 in shipping each time: but you can order these parts together - usually they're practically for free anyway (excl. shipping). Alternatively, try aliexpress.com, it's a great source of cheap components, often with free shipping (sort by price and select free shipping). But since it's shipped from China it can take a week or two to arrive. (that said, i've ordered countless of components through it, at least 50 separate shipments, and they always arrived). Sometimes on that site, you cannot order just 1, but you can order 10 or so for next to nothing. I wouldn't recommend it for all components though - capacitors especially can fail soon when they are low quality brands, but as far as transistors and resistors, there's not too much that can go wrong with those. It's true that you can also get a new kit, but then your nixies won't easily fit to it - i.e. the board connector will be different, so you'll have some issues there. If you're willing to take the tubes out, or get new ones, then you can of course use any kit (most nixies are compatible with any kit). Good luck! On Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 4:16:42 PM UTC+2, Kiran Otter wrote: > > Niek, I don't see any problem with Q4, and it's been in there for 7+ > years. If the recommendation is to replace it, I can do that.. the bummer > is every time I need a cap or some other part, it costs a dollar plus > another $6 to ship it. > > Sture, let me know if there's a way to test the inductor (270UH) somehow. > Or of course, I can just replace it too. > > This is kind of reaching the point where I might ditch this board and buy > a new kit. I'd love to fix it, don't get me wrong, but I'm starting to > have doubts of it being resolved. > > Kiran > -- 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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/46085e35-17ea-464c-8a72-2cf1a833d0eb%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
