I have had an IN-14 clock running 16h/day for around five years and the tubes still look as good as the day I got them. I also know people who have had their IN-14 clocks running for decades without any noticeable degradation of the tubes. It’s generally advised to drive Nixie tubes at their rated current, as running them at too low a current can increase the risk of cathode poisoning. If you’re multiplexing the tubes, keep in mind they’ll need higher currents to achieve the same brightness since each tube is only illuminated for a fraction of the time (e.g., 1/6 if six tubes are multiplexed). For a clock, however, dimmer tubes might actually be desirable. Whether multiplexing is good or bad for the tubes seems to be a topic of debate. I don't think you have to worry about it damaging the tubes. If you are concerned with longevity, I would instead recommend turning off the tubes at night.
Christoph Brandstätter schrieb am Samstag, 28. Dezember 2024 um 19:39:53 UTC+1: > Hi everyone, > > I recently acquired six IN-14 Nixie tubes and plan to build a clock with > them. Ideally, I’d love to keep the clock running 24/7, but I’m concerned > about how this might affect their lifespan. I’m aware of issues like > cathode poisoning, so I know it's important to regularly cycle through all > digits to prevent buildup. However, I’d like to know if there are other > best practices or tips to ensure they last as long as possible. > > Here are some specific questions I have: > > 1. Lifespan in Continuous Operation: I know that running Nixie tubes 24/7 > reduces their lifespan, but does anyone have experience with how long they > actually last under continuous use? > > > 2. Lower Current: Does running the tubes at a lower current significantly > extend their life? What current settings have worked well for others? > > > 3. Multiplexing: Is multiplexing a good approach for improving lifespan, > or is it better avoided? > > > 4. Presence Sensors: I've seen people use presence sensors to only light > up the tubes when someone is nearby. If anyone has implemented this, what > hardware or sensor type do you recommend? > > > > I’d also appreciate any other tips or experiences you might have regarding > maintaining the longevity of Nixie tubes. > > Looking forward to learning from you all! > -- 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, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/adae8f5c-a0dd-4197-a57d-8b8ca9212fe5n%40googlegroups.com.
