I see no reason why it wouldn't work; the voltage-drop across the diode will vary as needed to limit the current. This is the typical behavior of a current source; even a resistor behaves somewhat in this manner. The datasheet states the device can handle 600mW, so if you are running at 6mA or below, you wont have a thermal problem as long as the POV spec (100V) is followed.
Regarding constant voltage across the nixie tube, it's a consequence of how it operates. You want to limit the current to the datasheet spec; this can be done with a resistor or a current-source. Whichever approach you take is a matter of choice; I prefer current-limiting because it gives tighter control and can be more energy-efficient. Glow tubes have a nonlinear I-V curve that becomes steep after ionization, which means that a small change in voltage will cause a large change in current. Even LED's behave this way. That's why you can't just drive them from a constant voltage, like an incandescent bulb; there needs to be something to limit the current. If you still feel nervous, test it out with a spare or expendable nixie tube (IN-1's are cheap...). Just make sure the diode is installed correctly; if it's backwards...bye bye nixie.....Unfortunately the datasheet doesn't show the test-circuit, which is unusual. -- 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/7fd61c20-bd35-40de-944a-741dfec4fe67%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
