[neonixie-l] Re: An odd, but interesting observation of a weak B7971 tube

2023-10-09 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
> On Monday, October 9, 2023 at 11:35:41 AM UTC-7 gregebert wrote: > None of my 7971's has aged enough for the segments to get flaky; my clock went into operation in 2017. Knocking on wood On my first clock, my original version did have partially illuminated segments when I used +170vdc.

Re: [neonixie-l] Original Tube Prices

2023-09-03 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
Based on an ad in the May 1`973 Radio-Electronics, Meshna was selling them for $2.50 for a pair of tubes with sockets and driver board with HV transistors, or $1.25 per tube/socket/ckt board combo. These were clearly pulls from the recently decommissioned NYSE stock tickers, so they probably

[neonixie-l] Re: Expensive?

2023-02-05 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
Get some small, sticky labels and write down the date and an "eBay" price and put them in a discreet place. Let your heirs know and they can make a more knowledgeable decision. On Saturday, February 4, 2023 at 9:07:43 PM UTC-8 petehand wrote: I've told my wife, when I'm gone, under no

[neonixie-l] Re: What will happen if current slightly below specification in long time?

2023-01-16 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
This may not apply to other tube types, but my 3 clocks built with 6 x B7971s were MUXd at about 2 kHz, and they all produced enough acoustic noise to be annoying in a quiet room, and RFI audible over the entire AM band that was detectable on my transistor radio to about 20 feet. The clock

Re: [neonixie-l] Dekatrons on Jeopardy! ?

2022-08-12 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
I took a closer look at the picture. It looks like there is a small 4-digit number outside the octagon which I interpret as "5944". There is a larger 4 digit number inside the octagon which I think is "7?25" (where the 7 is clear, the ? is unreadable, and the 25 is my best guess). Both of

Re: [neonixie-l] Set of six GR10J on eBay!

2022-08-12 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Thursday, August 11, 2022 at 9:53:33 PM UTC-7 Kevin A. wrote: > I feel like PIRs are a must on most nix clocks. Why burn up tubes when no > one is around to enjoy the glow? Seems like a total waste. > > This may be detrimental in some cases. For example, the B9771 spec sheet projects a

[neonixie-l] Re: Homemade Purple Nixie Tube

2021-10-19 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
You can get a purple/UV glow with argon. I used to have an AR-1 lamp with an Edison base that worked off the US mains, or something less than 400V. (it had a built0in dropping resistor). -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To

[neonixie-l] Re: Philips DP7-32 cathodic ray tube

2021-06-21 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
Isn't that the one used in the Marantz 10B (and presumably the Marantz 10)? You can probably infer a useful set of operating conditions from the service manual. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: CRISTAL + CAPACITOR = TIME DELAY HELP

2021-05-20 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
All the cheap watches and clock movements seem to use the same small cylindrical crystal. I got many of mine by taking them out of old watches or clocks that had stopped working properly (like worn out gears in a clock). If you do not already have any in your junk box, you should be able to

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: CRISTAL + CAPACITOR = TIME DELAY HELP

2021-05-19 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
As long as you are still trying things, you should try different crystals. Instead of New Old Stock from a surplus electronics dealer (probably from the 1970s wen quality control was not very good), you could take one out of a clock or watch mechanism that does a good job keeping time (the

[neonixie-l] Re: CRISTAL + CAPACITOR = TIME DELAY HELP

2021-05-19 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
Did you ever get it t run at the correct speed? If so, how did you fix it? On Monday, April 19, 2021 at 1:23:22 AM UTC-7 MrThe50sanchez wrote: > I builded a Nixie watch, It works good, but I'm having a little bit of > time delay, 1* min within 6 hours. * > -- You received this message

[neonixie-l] Re: Heathkit GC-1093...(it glows orange..)

2021-02-09 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 11:37:18 AM UTC-8 Christian Riise Wagner wrote: > They should be MPSA42 though, as MPSA92 are PNP. Good catch! I really should know better. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from

[neonixie-l] Re: Heathkit GC-1093...(it glows orange..)

2021-02-09 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
If you have enough space, here is what I would do: I would take a DIP header, some perfboard, a handful of MPSA92's, and a handful of 10k 1/4 watt resistors and replicate the circuit you show (ignoring the back-biased diode which is probably a parasitic from the monolithic process). If there

Re: [neonixie-l] Just wow.... https://www.ebay.com/itm/274654341777

2021-01-26 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Monday, January 25, 2021 at 9:30:49 PM UTC-8 gregebert wrote: > Interesting notes from the seller, mentions slight ghosting. The > clock-chip does the multiplexing, though it was probably intended for LEDs > which dont have requirements for blanking time. The chip is a National

Re: [neonixie-l] Another newly-manufactured nixie tube

2020-06-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Before you get too excited, that is probably Chinese yuan (aka renminbi), so it would be closer to US$110. On Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 2:32:13 PM UTC-7, Terry Bowman wrote: > > > If the colon tube is the ¥749 item that's slightly less than $7. That's > downright cheap and at first glance they

Re: [neonixie-l] 1961 Heathkit Catalog

2020-05-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
That is a lot of mercury. I don't think we kept more than a pound. Also, I don' tknow how you get the Hg completely out of the pan, since ISTR that we would use the Hg to shine up nickels and pennies. On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 7:46:33 AM UTC-7, Ira wrote: > > Get a pan off of the stove

[neonixie-l] Re: Is it possible to identify a single nixie?

2020-05-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
In addition to photons and cosmic rays, illuminating other elements can also promote the firing (isn't that the reason for the "keep alive" on the Panaplex?). It has been a long time since I did it, but ISTR that you could stay on the negative resistance branch by aggressively limiting the

Re: [neonixie-l] 1961 Heathkit Catalog

2020-05-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
We kept ours in an Erlenmeyer flask, and I could never get my hand past the bottleneck. On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 1:06:26 AM UTC-7, Terry Kennedy wrote: > > > I grew up in a time where in elementary school you got to dip your hand up > to the wrist in a bottle of mercury, > -- You

[neonixie-l] Re: Is it possible to identify a single nixie?

2020-05-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Over that voltage range, I would expect three branches on the IV. Did you also track the firing voltages and extinction currents? Dark rooms vs well-lit? Ambient temperature? On Friday, May 15, 2020 at 8:57:08 AM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: > > Yes; for a given segment, there are tube-to-tube

[neonixie-l] Re: Is it possible to identify a single nixie?

2020-05-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Based on my experience, you should expect at least another 300k hours even if you "overdrive" them. That said, I don't remember anyone reporting a natural death from old age and excessive usage. On Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at 1:44:43 AM UTC-7, Terry Kennedy wrote: > > > B7971s are amazingly

Re: [neonixie-l] 1961 Heathkit Catalog

2020-05-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
It was meant as a joke. I still use SnPb eutectic solder, and I think my ~1 kg is a lifetime supply I think I can blame this for my dumbness, since I used to hold the solder in my teeth during construction and repair. I have this religious belief, scientifically not proven, that Pb-free

Re: [neonixie-l] 1961 Heathkit Catalog

2020-05-01 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
With modern ROHS requirements, you will need to build it with lead-free solder. On Friday, May 1, 2020 at 5:27:11 AM UTC-7, Bill van Dijk wrote: > > Michail, I have an unbuilt Heathkit 5MHz model IO-4105 scope kit, in > original box. Picked it up at a flea market a couple of years ago! > > >

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-29 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
As a matter of personal taste. I like to have a generous margin on BVceo, like always larger than Vcc. To me, anything else is penny wise and pound foolish, especially in hobby quantities. I always use transistors rated at 300V even if my Vcc is less than 200V. Gregenert is probably right

Re: [neonixie-l] clock with Sperry SP-151

2020-04-25 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I agree. I forgot that one of the first things you should do is apply HV (like 150-200V) directly to the tubes,with a series dropping resistor of 47K-220K, and make sure it glows under these conditions. I realize that this assumes you have access to an electronics lab... On Saturday, April

Re: [neonixie-l] clock with Sperry SP-151

2020-04-25 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Also, as I think about it, there is a "keep alive" element, and you should make sure it is energized at all times. -- 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

Re: [neonixie-l] clock with Sperry SP-151

2020-04-25 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I had one of these evaluation kits, and I recall that the displays were socketed. If you have an oscilloscope, you should do some basic debugging. I would start at the power supply (one of my nixie clocks used a Signal Transformer of the same vintage that died due to an open primary). If

Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-25 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
It should be easy to convert the 575 back into a tube curve tracer since it was a modified 570 with the filament transformer removed and the sockets changed. If you can find a meterless Hickok tube tester, you have the sockets, switches and filament transformer you would need to convert it

Re: Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-24 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
You might have to settle for one of the more modern transistorized curve tracers. In the last century when 500-series scopes were going for $20-$50, I remember talking to someone at one of the ham swaps. He said that they were being bought up and cannibalized by the audiophools because they

Re: Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-24 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Sure, but based on the similarities in the Central Semi data sheets, the same die appears to be used interchangeably. So the factors I can imagine is that they select and direct the leakier parts to the TO-220 package, or that the TO-220 package makes a difference (like allowing a higher

Re: Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-23 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Is there a 1000X difference in the gain? Across all lots and all operating conditions, I would have expected less than 10X. On Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 3:56:44 PM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: > > Much of the additional leakage current is caused by the higher DC gain of > the MJE device; the

Re: Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-23 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 3:10:36 PM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: > I'm absolutely certain the MJE die is physically larger. For one thing, it must conduct more thermal energy to the case. I am inclined to agree, but if it were me, I would be willing to invest $1.08 and a half hour in the

Re: Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-23 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
So this is a matter of academic curiosity and not an effort to make your device work. I think this is a neat thing to do. Based on your observations, this suggests some experiments. In a previous post, I speculated that both part numbers might use the same chip. I now think this is

Re: [neonixie-l] MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-22 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
What do you have against the MJE340? Is it too large? Is it too much more money (onesies retail in Silicon Valley is 34 cents versus 75 cents)? If I had to go out and buy new parts in hobby quantities, I would get the MJE340 and not invest any more brain power, but if it was going to be used

[neonixie-l] Re: MPSA42 or MJE340?

2020-04-22 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I would say whichever is cheaper, keeping in mind that nothing is cheaper than free from the junque box. I used the floor sweepings (advertised as npn 300V and 10W) from Poly Paks, and none of these have failed yet. I did have one genuine Motorola MPSA92 fail after 40 years of service. Just

Re: [neonixie-l] Discovered an old advertisment

2020-04-07 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
My tubes were over driven by 2X-4X compared to the maximum values in the B7971 data sheet: HV=-195V, cathode resistors=430ohms, MUX duty cycle = 12%. After running 24/7 for 40+ years, the tubes are very slightly dimmer than the tubes I had kept as spares with a slight color shift. (You can

Re: [neonixie-l] Discovered an old advertisment

2020-04-03 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
You probably learned a lot more about electronics by having and using that scope, so I think it was the better investment. On Friday, April 3, 2020 at 4:52:56 PM UTC-7, Robert G. Schaffrath wrote: > ... though in hindsight, the tubes would have been the better investment. -- You received

[neonixie-l] Re: Discovered an old advertisment

2020-04-03 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I really don't remember anything other than Burroughs brands on the 30+ tube I bought, but it has been 40+ years for most of them. I recently repaired two clocks for non-Nixie failures, and between the 12 in those two clocks and the 6 that I swapped in on general principles, I only remember

[neonixie-l] Re: Discovered an old advertisment

2020-04-03 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
How could you tell they were NOS? I have this religious belief that everything on the surplus market consisted of NYSE pulls, as suggested by the words "removed from operational equipment". Did your NOS actually come in Burroughs boxes marked with the tube type, or were they just covered in

[neonixie-l] Re: Discovered an old advertisment

2020-04-03 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Back in those days, the GBP was about US$2, so they were much more expensive in the UK. The tubes were even cheaper from Meshna I think they were $1/tube with sockets but without the circuit board, which is the deal I went for since I was a cheapskate and did not realize that the boards had

[neonixie-l] Re: Faulty B-7971s

2020-04-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
When I had partially it segments, I was able to fix it by increasing the anode voltage to about 180-190V. Others have reported fixing shorted segments by hitting the tube, gently; you almost have nothing to lose. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: B7971's on the bay....

2020-03-29 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
So the pictures I intended did not et posted on the Google Groups version. The first image is the "fast" picture from

[neonixie-l] Re: tiny little counter at a fair price!

2020-03-21 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Saturday, March 21, 2020 at 4:33:05 AM UTC-7, newxito wrote: > > Nice device, and it uses a 2N3055 transistor!!! I built an amplifier with > these transistors 45 years ago, probably the last time I have seen one of > them. I remember that they were very popular in Spain in the 1970s. > You

Re: [neonixie-l] NL-7094 Price Craziness

2020-02-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Thursday, February 27, 2020 at 1:14:35 PM UTC-8, Robert G. Schaffrath wrote: > > ...the whine from the multiplexing bothers me now. ... > I reduced the audibility of the acoustic noise by putting the clock inside a box made of 1/4" Plexiglas. This did not do much to reduce the RFI... --

[neonixie-l] Re: Opto Coupler for PWM control - Sanity Check

2020-02-08 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Friday, February 7, 2020 at 8:59:19 AM UTC-8, gregebert wrote: > > ...Some folks in this group have reported audible noise from > multiplexing > I am one of the people who reported singing in my multiplexed B7971s. More than 40 years ago, I also had a Panaplex/MM5314 clock that was sold

[neonixie-l] Re: Question about Heathkit Panaplex Clocks

2019-11-18 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Do they both run fast? Designs that simply count the mains are susceptible to noise pulses adding to the total, and most early designs were prone to this defect. If this is the case, I would try filtering out the noise spikes: ferrites on the primary side, and a low-pass on the rectified line

[neonixie-l] Re: B-7971 Smart Sockets - Harwin Socket Pins Vs Original Sockets

2019-09-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
...and B-A was generally not the low-cost junque dealer; John Mishna and Poly-Paks were usually cheaper. On Monday, September 30, 2019 at 12:20:48 PM UTC-7, Terry Kennedy wrote: >Here's the ad (original scan by David Forbes): -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the

[neonixie-l] Re: B-7971 Smart Sockets - Harwin Socket Pins Vs Original Sockets

2019-09-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Sunday, September 29, 2019 at 10:50:16 PM UTC-7, Richard Scales wrote: > ... > I too love the B-7971 - if only I had invested when they were super affordable - what was I thinking? > I got mine when they were cheaper than the LED alternative: US$1 per tube including sockets, versus about

[neonixie-l] Re: B-7971 Smart Sockets - Harwin Socket Pins Vs Original Sockets

2019-09-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
ISTR that the real sockets are preferred. The argument I remember hearing is that the pins in the socket "float"; the disadvantage is that you may need to jiggle the tube as you insert it into the socket, but the advantage is that the pins float and do not stress the glass-to-metal seal

[neonixie-l] Re: power supplies and radio interference

2019-08-16 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
My three B7971 clocks all produced RFI in the AM and SW radio bands, and I kept my radios at least 5m away. They were based on the CT7001 clock chip, so the MUX rate was about 2 KHZ. The RFI (and the acoustic singing from the tubes) seemed to change with the digits displayed. I assumed that

[neonixie-l] Re: What if....

2019-07-07 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
That's what I did: opaque black plexiglas for the sides and the ack, opaque white plexiglas for the top and bottom, and clear red for the front. It gives it a mid-20th century modern or Bauhaus look with the digits floating inside the box instead of a steam-punk look, and emphasizes its

[neonixie-l] Re: Nixie collection insurance?

2019-07-01 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Keep in mind that the insurance company will try to reimburse as little as possible. They might give back the documented purchase price if the tube is NIB. You might be able to argue a higher value based on a recent auction sale (think ebay). For used tubes, they may apply straight-line

[neonixie-l] Re: Clocks! Picture sharing....

2019-06-07 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Back in the old days, a polarizing filter was used to suppress the Fresnel reflection. On Friday, June 7, 2019 at 12:55:20 PM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: > > Any tips on how to take good-quality photos ? Mine always turn out looking > horrible, partly due to reflections from the various glass

Re: [neonixie-l] Interesting nixie item...

2019-05-10 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Assuming 2000 hours/year, the tubes would have had 20,000-50,000 hours of use on them (maybe even a lot more). On Friday, May 10, 2019 at 3:29:05 AM UTC-7, Paolo Cravero wrote: > > On Fri, May 10, 2019 at 12:23 PM Paul Andrews > wrote: > >> EUR? How vintage is it? >> > > It has been relabeled

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: (12) 16-Pin NIXIE TUBES National Electronics NL5441A Burroughs B5441A Untested

2019-04-21 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Sunday, April 21, 2019 at 10:19:03 AM UTC-7, Kevin A. wrote: > > . Over 50 bids, most of them the same low feedback bidder. Another > sleazeBay special! > > It looks more like a product of the automatic bidding process where the lower bids are instantaneously by the previous high bid,

[neonixie-l] Re: Nixie clock with the CT7001/FCM7001 chip?

2019-04-18 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I built three six-digit clocks using that chip and B7971 nixies. I was inspired by the article “Behold the Giant Nixie Clock - using a minimum of new parts” that appeared on page 70 of the July 1976 issue of 73 magazine. This can be found on the internet. That was more than 40 years ago,

Re: [neonixie-l] TESTED 4 Nixie Tubes Burroughs B-7971 3½" tall 14-segment character

2019-03-26 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Tuesday, March 26, 2019 at 7:10:17 PM UTC-7, Pramanicin wrote: > > I used to think they weren’t proper nixie tubes way back when i got into > this hobby. You know, back when they were going for under $20 dollars each. > What a muppet i was. > > Burroughs called them "Alphanumeric Nixie

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Q: Active full-wave rectifiers

2019-03-25 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
If all you want is to get 5Vdc rom the mains, a USB charger seems like a very attractive option. They are usually less than US$5 and occupy about 1cu in (plus the power plug). My initial concern would be safety isolation, but some of these will surely be UL listed or CE qualified. However,

[neonixie-l] Re: Q: Active full-wave rectifiers

2019-03-24 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
If I had to use the 6V transformer, I would make a voltage doubler. Then I would use the switching mode regulator in a USB car charger adapter to produce the regulated 5V. My Dollar Tree carries them. Sometimes, Fry's has these for under US$1. Or you can probably find one at your

[neonixie-l] Re: The case of the singing nixie tube

2019-02-23 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Does it also produce RFI on the AM band? My 6-digit B-7971 clock sings and produces RFI at the MUX rate -- 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

[neonixie-l] Re: Sale a big VFD tubes ILC1-1/8L

2018-12-21 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I don't know about these specific devices, but I have a commercial (Lloyd's) clock radio with VFD digits, and it has been running continuously for at least 30 years (maybe 40). YMMV. On Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 10:19:17 PM UTC-8, gregebert wrote: > > Has anyone here built a device with

[neonixie-l] Re: dekatron computing [and other stuff]

2018-12-04 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I made the pilgrimage to Bletchley Park. It may have been because it was Remembrance Day, but it seemed to emphasize the war memorial aspects with an acknowledgment to the origins of electronic computing. I did not see the Disneyland aspects, and there were no actors in period clothes

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: "Keep Alive" Circuit

2018-09-05 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
The MM5369 produces a 60Hz signal from a 3.579545 MHz crystal, not 1 pps. I vaguely recall that there was a version that produced 50 Hz from a PAL crystal. The MM5369 can be found on ebay for about US$1 in medium quantities. These may be Chinese counterfeits, but it is not a technologically

[neonixie-l] Re: "Keep Alive" Circuit

2018-09-05 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Wednesday, September 5, 2018 at 7:50:55 AM UTC-7, Jim KO5V wrote: >... My guess is that this is more than just adding in a circuit with a battery - a frequency source may also be needed. If you want an integrated solution instead of adding an outboard UPS, consider this: All my ideas are

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: How many people would be interested in 3 digit Nixie car gauges?

2018-08-31 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Thursday, August 30, 2018 at 2:14:01 PM UTC-7, iavine wrote: > > One problem other people have had with such projects is mechanical > vibration causing cathodes to short out > > IanV > If you want to review an earlier discussion, see

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Possibly offtopic - Vintage MV1 LEDs for sale

2018-04-13 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Friday, April 13, 2018 at 8:27:35 AM UTC-7, Jens Boos wrote: > > Is there a datasheet for this LED? I am really interested in the current > draw. (The voltage is fixed, more or less, by the wavelength. So the > current will tell us something about the efficiency.) Jens > Google "GaAs LED

Re: [neonixie-l] Possibly offtopic - Vintage MV1 LEDs for sale

2018-04-12 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Early LEDs were not bright enough to be seen in broad daylight. That was one of the advantages of numitrons. -- 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

[neonixie-l] Re: 26 In18 Tubes

2018-04-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Monday, April 2, 2018 at 11:04:16 AM UTC-7, Jeff Aylesworth wrote: > The lowest hanging fruit seems to be the plasma ball proximity test. > Jeff Along the same lines, you could use your toy Tesla coil or van de Graaf generator... -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the

[neonixie-l] Re: 26 In18 Tubes

2018-04-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
You don't need a "Nixie tester". All you need is current-limited high voltage. In the US, a 100K resistor in series with 120-150 Vac (use an isolation transformer; do not connect directly to the mains!) should light one or two digits at a time. Are you sure they are new? Can yo see any

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Numitron clock driving question

2018-02-21 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Wednesday, February 21, 2018 at 7:43:27 AM UTC-8, nixiebunny wrote: > > The inrush current performs the important job of heating up the filament > so that it will glow. Don't expect an LED driver to work well. Experiment > with some low ohmage series resistors first.t >

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Clock Three Jr. - What Amp for AC adapter?

2017-12-02 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Saturday, December 2, 2017 at 2:18:41 PM UTC-8, Dman777 wrote: > > Plexi glass is really hard to clean and it scratches easy. Mine has > hundreds of tiny scratches on it from the people that assembled it and > wiped it down. It's not a big deal from far away, but if I manage to keep >

[neonixie-l] Re: New electronics magazine....

2017-07-06 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
It looks interesting, but it costs AUD200.95 for a 12-month subscription, or more than US$150 at current exchange rates. -- 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

[neonixie-l] Sand clock

2016-11-08 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Not nixies, but interesting https://www.elektor.com/sandclock-160065-71?utm_source=Elektor+United+States+%28English%29_campaign=4c9b63a752-19april2016_Siglent_NL_4_15_2016_medium=email_term=0_8b7374950c-4c9b63a752-234906893_cid=4c9b63a752_eid=747f1b4e42 "This supercool gadget built around an

[neonixie-l] Steampunk Nixie tube clock: The electronics are up and running

2016-09-14 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
This guy made his own tubes!

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I will believe it when I see it. On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 5:20:08 PM UTC-7, A.J. Franzman wrote: > > If you sputter enough metal onto any insulator, you can make it conduct. > > On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at 1:28:06 PM UTC-7, j@my-deja.com wrote: >> >> I think this is improbable. On

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I would believe it was NOS if it was accompanied by a pristine box, the lettering on the tube was all sharp and crisp, and the pins were all straight (with no tool marks from straightening) and unscratched (or maybe one scratch from burn-in). -- You received this message because you are

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Monday, August 29, 2016 at 9:31:39 PM UTC-7, A.J. Franzman wrote: > > ... They might be shorted to the back substrate and possibly even each > other via the substrate... > I think this is improbable. On the one tube that I dissected*, the back substrate is an insulating white ceramic with

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-27 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 1:38:28 PM UTC-7, rmp wrote: > > To the folks who are still running the "Giant Nixie Clock". From the early > 1970's: > ... as I recall it treated the tubes as 7-segment devices...Am I correct? Yes. It was based on the MM5314 from National Semiconductor.

[neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-24 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Tuesday, August 23, 2016 at 10:25:09 PM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: > > 40 *years* ? How many hours per day are you running your tubes ? > Mine has been running 24x7x365.25, with brief exceptions for things like moving to a new home, power outages due to earthquakes (California!) and weather,

[neonixie-l] Re: Constant current regulator for Nixies

2016-08-21 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Saturday, August 13, 2016 at 5:45:22 PM UTC-7, ZY wrote: > > ...maybe some regulation circuitry would be worth it in the long run? > > If you do this, you might want to modulate the current proportional to illuminated length of each character, so an 8 would draw more current than a 0 and

[neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current

2016-08-19 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I did nothing heroic. I used the cheapest transistors I could find (PolyPaks, John Meshna, etc.) and carbon comp resistors. I used the resistor values in the old "73 Magazine" article "Build a Giant Nixie Clock" from the mid-1970s, and increased the HV power supply voltage until it was

[neonixie-l] Re: OT: US Customs Service - Delays

2016-05-13 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at 12:10:00 PM UTC-7, jf...@my-deja.com wrote: > > I am not sure who is to blame, but after almost two months, I am still > waiting for some 13-pin dekatron sockets being sent from Russia. > They finally arrived after 12 weeks. Based on the tracking

[neonixie-l] Re: OT: US Customs Service - Delays

2016-03-30 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
I am not sure who is to blame, but after almost two months, I am still waiting for some 13-pin dekatron sockets being sent from Russia. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails

[neonixie-l] Re: Off topic, but it has an orange display.. Heathkit ID-1590 anemometer

2016-03-24 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Modern LEDs may be "better", but back in the old days, LEDs were no characterized for reverse operation and were pretty poor rectifiers (I forget whether it was leakage or low and unpredictable breakdown voltage, or both). I would keep the series Si diodes. There was a lot of discussion

[neonixie-l] Re: Good B7971s?

2016-03-08 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
Back in the early 1970s, the cheap ones (~$1) all came with sockets with cutooff wires. For about double the price, you could get the bracket with the HV driver transistors. Clearly, these were used surplus from the NYSE. It seems that they stayed cheap until the Nixie nostalgia hit the

Re: [neonixie-l] Bad B7971's

2016-03-07 Thread 'jf...@my-deja.com' via neonixie-l
On Monday, March 7, 2016 at 2:06:42 PM UTC-8, Jeff Walton wrote: > > I have a clock that uses Raytheon CK8754 tubes that has 35 years > continuous use with no tube issues. That's over 300,000 hours. I hope > that the B7971's last as long. I'll probably be gone by then.. > > *Jeff * > I

[neonixie-l] Re: TRW swap going?

2015-11-30 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
The lady in the Swap Meet Information booth said that they would be staying "indefinitely" and that would be at least through all of 2016. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails

Re: [neonixie-l] Transformer for Nixie clock

2015-07-13 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Monday, July 13, 2015 at 11:33:37 AM UTC-7, gregebert wrote: A good middle-ground if you are doing a custom design is to use a power-transformer with dual primary windings, then use one of the primaries for your HV supply. In the US, the 120V line-voltage will produce +170V when

Re: [neonixie-l] Transformer for Nixie clock

2015-07-13 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
I can think of two other minor advantages for the Hammond transformers, neither of which I would consder deal breakers. First, the HV secondary is rated at 125V, while using half the primary probably produces about 105-115V, so you might not need to use one of the LV secondaries to boost the

[neonixie-l] Re: MM5311 or MM5309

2015-06-19 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Friday, June 19, 2015 at 1:55:55 PM UTC-7, wb9jfr42 wrote: Has anyone built a clock using MM5309 or 11 chip with nixie tubes Using BCD to a 74141 but don't seem to be able to multiplex i would like to use the chips that i have had for many years Thanks jerry I would steal ideas from

[neonixie-l] Re: TRW swap going?

2015-06-01 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
According to this note, posted May 19, http://w6trw.com/index.php/2015/05/19/swap-meet-changes-the-latest-as-of-may-2015/ they have not yet found a new venue, but they intend to keep it in the same vicinity. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Nixie Clock Cool Project- a few questions

2014-10-11 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Saturday, October 11, 2014 1:31:07 PM UTC-7, Dman777 wrote: After doing research, I see that from: http://www.fda.gov/ICECI/Inspections/InspectionGuides/InspectionTechnicalGuides/ucm072859.htm The more active the flux the easier a solder connection can be made and the fewer rejects

[neonixie-l] Re: Nixie Clock Cool Project- a few questions

2014-10-10 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Friday, October 10, 2014 2:16:47 AM UTC-7, Paul Parry wrote: I have built lots of PV Electronics clocks 60+ and not had an issue with any of them First, I do not think there is a real problem. It looks like the case already has plenty of holes on the top and bottom, more than should

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Nixie Clock Cool Project- a few questions

2014-10-10 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Friday, October 10, 2014 6:53:05 PM UTC-7, Arne Rossius wrote: The brown gooey-looking stuff is probably flux residue from soldering the component (which is on the other side). The component warms up the flux residue and it turns from transparent or yellow-ish to brown. This is nothing

Re: [neonixie-l] Nixie Clock Cool Project- a few questions

2014-10-08 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
My first question is “How hot is it?” If you can keep your finger on it, it is probably OK, but you should use a thermometer instead of just saying “hot”. My prejudice is that the only likely sources of excessive heat are the 7805 and the cpu, but they are both too far away. The only

[neonixie-l] Re: Strange Strobe Behavior on my Nixie Clock

2014-07-28 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
One more suggestion. I had ghosting in some multiplexed B-7971s. I could affect the degree by varying the high voltage, and I eliminated it by increasing the anode voltage by about 15V above its original value. Try adjusting your +12V. I would feel pretty safe in the 10-15V range. -- You

[neonixie-l] Re: B7971 Ebay prices now

2014-06-06 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
They weere only about $1 each (sockets included) when I got mine from John Meshna in the 1970s. In a few years, I will be able to sell my 20+ leftover tubes and sockets (spares that I never needed to use) to finance my retirement. -- You received this message because you are

[neonixie-l] Re: VFD lifetime

2013-07-23 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
I have had a cheap Lloyd AM-FM-cassette clock radio for over 30 years. The VFD clock is still going strong. -- 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

[neonixie-l] Re: B7971 NOS or simply old

2013-05-28 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On May 28, 2:13 am, Nick n...@desmith.net wrote: Has anyone ever had one fail in operation (assuming it was being run within spec)? Nick Not yet. As a reminder, I built three 6-digit clocks that have been running almost 24/7 since the mid 1970s (one down briefly for a bad electrolytic). I

[neonixie-l] Re: B7971 NOS or simply old

2013-05-27 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On May 27, 6:22 am, Marcin marcin.r.adam...@gmail.com wrote: Could somebody explain me how the discoloration around cathodes is supposed to appear during the tube operation? I understand that the common knowledge is that only used B7971 have it. The new ones should have a uniform back-plate.

[neonixie-l] Re: Testing nixies/dekatrons/neon bulbs without powersuply

2013-04-21 Thread jf...@my-deja.com
On Apr 19, 2:04 pm, kay486 luckyl...@gmail.com wrote: Please let me know what you think about this! I would makl one out of the HV supply in one of those elecrtonic fly swatters. Depending on your patience waiting for discount coupons, they cost $1.99 to $4.99 at Harbor Freight. -- You

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