You mean PWM it (because they don't latch on)? Yes, this is how you dim them. There is some anecdotal evidence to indicate that this does indeed lengthen tube life. However, if the tube is doped with mercury, the life is in the 100,000s of hours. For undoped tubes it is around 10,000 hours. So let us know what tubes you plan to use. The very common (and very robust) IN-12 are long-life. Some people find the '5' digit on them annoying...
On Friday, May 3, 2019 at 11:01:39 AM UTC-4, Justin Scott wrote: > > Right. Or to turn a digit on you could switch the cathode quickly, so > there would be lower current on average moving through the tube. I assume > this would lengthen tube life, but sounds like it's not necessary. > > On Friday, May 3, 2019 at 10:33:30 AM UTC-4, Paul Andrews wrote: >> >> Perhaps I misunderstand, but each digit is a cathode. To turn it on, pull >> it ground, to turn it off let it float or push it to around 80V. >> >> On Friday, May 3, 2019 at 8:10:15 AM UTC-4, Justin Scott wrote: >>> >>> Thank you! I completely understand now. My design will be direct-drive, >>> so I won't need to switch the anode. Will I need to switch the cathode >>> though, or can I just leave it on continuously? >>> >>> On Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 10:43:20 AM UTC-4, gregebert wrote: >>>> >>>> Switching the anodes is what multiplexing does, the advantage being >>>> that you can share the cathode logic across several tubes. But with >>>> savings, there is also a hidden cost: You must run the anode current >>>> higher >>>> for multiplexed operation versus direct-drive. If the tube is specifically >>>> designed to support higher peak-current for multiplexing, then there's >>>> minimal risk; I recall some Burroughs tubes state in the datasheet not to >>>> use multiplexing. >>>> >>>> I've done a number of clock designs, all of them direct-drive. Cost is >>>> a secondary concern; maximizing the life of the almost- irreplaceable >>>> nixie >>>> tube is the overriding goal. With direct-drive, you dont need to switch >>>> the >>>> anode. However, I have some designs that use anode current-regulators >>>> which >>>> is basically a switch that is not fully-on. >>>> >>>> Ghosting only occurs with a muliplexed display, so if you are concerned >>>> about it, be sure that your design has programmable blanking-time, >>>> refresh-rate, and on-time. You will have to experiment to get the best >>>> results. >>>> >>> -- 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/a0c1f5c7-7961-40d5-8b29-a3cc8e294fae%40googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
