For my designs, a motion sensor (usually mounted remotely) is a must have for any design that uses expensive tubes so they are on only for a limited time. You wouldn't leave all the lights on in a room if you were not using it would you ? I have used PIR modules as well as microwave sensors. PIR I usually mount remotely and plug in with a cable - a microwave type sensor can easily be built in to the housing of a lot of clocks. For PIR I have used HC-SR501 and HC-SR505. For microwave sensors I have used several including RCWL0516. The microwave sensors are more sensitive and can 'see through walls'! - Richard
On Saturday, 28 December 2024 at 19:15:39 UTC Senk Ju wrote: > 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/de219d1c-1f6d-40c1-8e9e-e2cd4d9a57c2n%40googlegroups.com.
