I built a clock using ZM1032 Nixie tubes and multiplexed their anodes 
instead of their cathodes.  The ZM1032 uses a 9-pin base, with five cathode 
pins, two anode pins, and a screen pin.  See 
https://www.tube-tester.com/sites/nixie/dat_arch/ZM1032_philips_02.pdf  The 
odd digits use a front anode, the even digits use a back anode.  There is a 
screen in between the even and odd cathodes, tied to 60v.  The screen 
blocks some of the light from the even cathodes, so I increased the "on" 
time of the even anode.  It's just about double the "on" time of the odd 
anode.
A similar circuit is describe at 
https://www.dos4ever.com/nixie1/nixie1.html#zm1030 however they used 
different current-limiting resistors for the even and odd anodes where I 
used the same value but used different "on" times for even and odd anodes.

On Tuesday, August 27, 2024 at 8:22:00 PM UTC-4 Senk Ju wrote:

> Adam, to add to my previous response, you are of course absolutely 
> correct. I don't know what I was thinking when I gobbled together that 
> schematic. Xavier, please ignore this part of my schematic. Sorry for the 
> confusion.
>
> Adam Piórko <[email protected]> schrieb am Mi., 28. Aug. 2024, 00:57:
>
>> Controlling with ground (cathodes) is correct. However, controlling with 
>> positive (anode) is not correct. Controlling with the positive is more 
>> challenging. 
>> Attached are two options—using a phototransistor (on the left) and using 
>> two transistors (PNP and NPN). Of course, there are more options... 
>> Of course, instead of connecting the anode control to a microcontroller, 
>> you can use a 4017.
>> R2 and R5 are current-limiting resistors.
>>
>> poniedziałek, 26 sierpnia 2024 o 23:26:33 UTC+2 Senk Ju napisał(a):
>>
>>> I unfortunately don't have any resources but what I would recommend 
>>> doing is the following:
>>>
>>> Use a decadic counter IC (like the CD4017) for controlling the active 
>>> tube. If your clock has four digits, connect the fifth output of the chip 
>>> to its reset pin. Also connect the reset pin to your microcontroller so you 
>>> can reset it after the clock has been enabled. Pulse the clock pin of the 
>>> chip to switch to the next tube.
>>>
>>> Use a BCD to decimal decoder (like the CD4028B) for the cathodes. This 
>>> way, you will only need four IO pins of the microcontroller to display set 
>>> the current digit. 
>>>
>>> Connect the output pins of the decadic counter and BCD decoder to high 
>>> voltage transistors like MPSA 42 to control the high voltage. Then connect 
>>> the same cathode of every tube in series through the corresponding 
>>> transistor connected to the BCD decoder. This way you can control which 
>>> anode gets HV and which cathode is grounded.
>>>
>>>
>>> I have attached a simplified schematic of how I would do it. Hope that 
>>> helps.
>>>
>>>
>>> Xavier Burton <[email protected]> schrieb am Mo., 26. Aug. 2024, 
>>> 22:38:
>>>
>>>> I have been working on a modular nixie tube display for the last few 
>>>> months as a learning exercise, and I would like to learn muiltiplexing 
>>>> next 
>>>> in order to reduce the number of pins used for controlling them. What are 
>>>> some good resources I can look at? 
>>>> The pictured unit with the energized tubes is my original prototype, 
>>>> hence the garbage wiring and excess number of test points. The other 
>>>> pictures are the current pre multiplexing version.
>>>>
>>>> -- 
>>>> 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 view this discussion on the web, visit 
>>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAOt79-vM7Zudj-ts%2B%3DtH4mAogqU01VuMsrB3uH0UugRNzJbHzQ%40mail.gmail.com
>>>>  
>>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAOt79-vM7Zudj-ts%2B%3DtH4mAogqU01VuMsrB3uH0UugRNzJbHzQ%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
>>>> .
>>>>
>>> -- 
>> 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 view this discussion on the web, visit 
>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/510c3659-9023-467c-a436-042431aaa554n%40googlegroups.com
>>  
>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/510c3659-9023-467c-a436-042431aaa554n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>
>> .
>>
>

-- 
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 view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/07bf3be1-d071-4109-885f-e18bc1a3590an%40googlegroups.com.

Reply via email to