Re: [neonixie-l] Re: New clock kit in the making

['threeneurons' via neonixie-l]

On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 6:54:48 PM UTC-7, joenixie wrote:
>
> There was another on the list about 6mos ago, it was a kick starter ...
>
>>
>>
No wonder I forgot about it. Kickstarter and other crowd funding sites, 
were created with good intentions, but it seems the charlatans have caught 
on, and just use it as another avenue for their con games. So, I 
deliberately cleared that out of my mind.

Good luck with the kit. Should do well.   

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/692aac15-cdfa-46d6-9960-ad8dc44c5f14%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Help with IN-8 tube mount for Threeneuron's 6 digit clock

[Jason Perez]

Thanks for the input. Yea that's a new one I've never heard of, looks like 
a decent program. Haha yea, I love nixies! It's a great hobby for me right 
now, after doing fluid mechanics all day I just spend a couple hours 
soldering :)

On that note, my dekatron tubes came friday! What a gorgeous piece of 
engineering. Can't wait till they're powered up!




On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 3:25:21 PM UTC-4, joenixie wrote:
>
> I'm a big gEDA person myself. I drank the linux kool-aid a long time ago 
> and I do enjoy laying out my boards in a more manual way. It is reasonably 
> easy to use makes nice boards and schematics and creating foot prints are 
> very hard after the first one or two.
>
> Good luck keeping your new addiction under control ;)
>
> -joe
>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/63850189-7cff-4031-8dfd-d016fd989a92%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: New clock kit in the making

[gregebert]

Glad to see you had better success than I did with liner tubes; I 
experimented with a few IN-9's and found them to be unpredictable.

Instead, I used strings of NE-2 bulbs (304 in total) to make my big clock, 
which you can see in my profile pic. To get a sense of size, the clock is 
just over 20 inches in diameter.

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/8f40c0b0-476d-4521-8820-82a379a5f3a6%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Help with IN-8 tube mount for Threeneuron's 6 digit clock

[Jason Perez]

No problem, good to hear from you again, I was hoping you didn't disappear! 
. I will take a look through the files and familiarize myself with eagle 
once I get it downloaded. Should be approved for the educational edition 
early next week. 

On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 4:21:12 PM UTC-4, jrehwin wrote:
>
>
> Just wondering how the eagle part is coming? I would be perfectly happy 
> using your initial layout, it looks great! Could you attach the eagle file 
> for me to look over? Not sure exactly what size your design is but 
> hopefully i could open it with my student version of the program.
>
>
> I've been swamped at work, so I haven't made further progress.  I think I 
> may have some sizes wrong.
>
> The schematic is here:
> http://www.vitriol.com/ftp/in8board.sch
>
> The board is here:
> http://www.vitriol.com/ftp/in8board.brd
>
> - John
>
>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/00c1524a-dfcc-4324-9c64-694fde932545%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: New clock kit in the making

[Joe Croft]

There was another on the list about 6mos ago, it was a kick starter and
above my pay level. I try not to copy, some days timing just sucks. I
started on this then found his. Mine is going to be a kit with mostly
through hole parts.

-joe

On Aug 27, 2016 8:51 PM, "'threeneurons' via neonixie-l" <
neonixie-l@googlegroups.com> wrote:

> Now that's a neat concept ! Someone talked about using neon bargraphs (IN9
> or IN13) to make an analog clock, but I don't recall actually seeing one.
> Or maybe I did, and just forgot. Anyways, nicely done !
>
> One of the bad things about getting old is the memory going. On the plus
> side, I can get away with a film catalog of only a half dozen films, and
> its like seeing the movie all over again.
>
> On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 7:11:50 AM UTC-7, joenixie wrote:
>>
>> Hi Yall,
>>
>> I've been working on a new clock kit. I hope to have it ready for
>> Christmas. I've attached a couple of pictures of the first one which was
>> built as a wedding present for my nephew. My wife hand painted the face. We
>> are planning to have the hand painted faces as an option. The second
>> picture shows off face more and how it looks with the switches and screws
>> in place. If I can figure it out, I plan to put plugs over the screws in
>> the final version and maybe caps over the switches if I can work it out.
>>
>> I'm also working on a different case. Sadly, I ran out of time before I
>> could get it completed. Thank God for Pier 1 Imports!
>>
>> -joe
>>
> --
> 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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/
> msgid/neonixie-l/4630050b-6846-436d-ba92-f1b6d13f8e2e%40googlegroups.com
> 
> .
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAE%2BVk6NXsyfkLegVrUKdBiRgDBKE00eQ1kfH5t_jTeez1F%2BG_g%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[neonixie-l] Re: New clock kit in the making

['threeneurons' via neonixie-l]

Now that's a neat concept ! Someone talked about using neon bargraphs (IN9 
or IN13) to make an analog clock, but I don't recall actually seeing one. 
Or maybe I did, and just forgot. Anyways, nicely done !

One of the bad things about getting old is the memory going. On the plus 
side, I can get away with a film catalog of only a half dozen films, and 
its like seeing the movie all over again.

On Saturday, August 27, 2016 at 7:11:50 AM UTC-7, joenixie wrote:
>
> Hi Yall,
>
> I've been working on a new clock kit. I hope to have it ready for 
> Christmas. I've attached a couple of pictures of the first one which was 
> built as a wedding present for my nephew. My wife hand painted the face. We 
> are planning to have the hand painted faces as an option. The second 
> picture shows off face more and how it looks with the switches and screws 
> in place. If I can figure it out, I plan to put plugs over the screws in 
> the final version and maybe caps over the switches if I can work it out.
>
> I'm also working on a different case. Sadly, I ran out of time before I 
> could get it completed. Thank God for Pier 1 Imports!
>
> -joe
>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/4630050b-6846-436d-ba92-f1b6d13f8e2e%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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

['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.   

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/9e241457-1c3f-4c9d-be51-576ea23f46f5%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[neonixie-l] Another batch...

[SWISSNIXIE - Jonathan F.]

I wonder in what kind of device they were used

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/0eb51842-6521-4304-ba67-b1a575d03a83%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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

[rmp]

To the folks who are still running the "Giant Nixie Clock". From the early 
1970's:
I built one of these way back when.  Unfortunately, it is long gone, but as I 
recall it treated the tubes as 7-segment devices, and so the 2 middle vertical 
and the 4 diagonal segments will NEVER have been lit.  Am I correct?  It would 
be an interesting exercise to make a test jig that can illuminate all the 
segments and see how much, if any, the unused segments are brighter than the 
used segments.
Just food for thought.

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/4bcea47c-c3cb-47d8-abcd-66f4b52e199b%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Help with IN-8 tube mount for Threeneuron's 6 digit clock

[John Rehwinkel]

> Just wondering how the eagle part is coming? I would be perfectly happy using 
> your initial layout, it looks great! Could you attach the eagle file for me 
> to look over? Not sure exactly what size your design is but hopefully i could 
> open it with my student version of the program.

I've been swamped at work, so I haven't made further progress.  I think I may 
have some sizes wrong.

The schematic is here:
http://www.vitriol.com/ftp/in8board.sch 


The board is here:
http://www.vitriol.com/ftp/in8board.brd 


- John

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/2F096923-9FB2-4CFE-98C1-1AF09BCE177C%40mac.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Maybe a stupid question...

[karl welty]

@John - which of the additional components would remain ? Just the
feedback resistor and cap, or any of the rest of it as well. Napkin
drawing ?

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAPsrQ%2BFa9eRZ7QkNb_gB_JRvxOec-bHvdnMHQoGGGaBT9SVPxA%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Re: Maybe a stupid question...

[karl welty]

In a very cobbled fashion (clip leads) I tried the two sections
together. Over a period of a couple hours of knob twiddling they
yielded a variety of sounds reminiscent of a vintage pinball machine,
or at the least old school video games. The vast majority of the knob
settings however yielded what even I would consider mostly unusable
noise. BUT the purpose of this experiment was more proof of concept
than finished circuit or components. A neon based timing and voltage
source can be used as a CV source for a VCO downstream.

In operation with the crude vco circuit I had built, the A opamp seems
to also function as a gate... or somehow, discrete gating is occurring
with the bits in context. All my prior attempts at gating a neon based
relaxation oscillator have resulted in pitch ramping up and down with
hang after the gate closed. I was getting distinct note on/off with no
pitch drift. So thats a first, and lots of other stuff learned as
well.

It doesnt work as intended, but the lesson continues and there are
tweaks to try. Change up the vco circuit. Big fun.

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAPsrQ%2BFdzfk0simTjUegfNo8AewcZumoiA-VJHAjoPPUW%2Bm%2B1g%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

[neonixie-l] Another batch...

[Nicholas Stock]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-9-BURROUGHS-7032-GIANT-NIXIE-DISPLAY-TUBE-Used-/291856948389?&_trksid=p2056016.l4276

Not my listing blah blah;)

Pretty badly mirrored.

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAOX%2BRH%2BFQj5yRdgLLrvw3a7pxr5PCCQCkR2D8XOx1ULhgaLwVw%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Help with IN-8 tube mount for Threeneuron's 6 digit clock

[Joe Croft]

I'm a big gEDA person myself. I drank the linux kool-aid a long time ago
and I do enjoy laying out my boards in a more manual way. It is reasonably
easy to use makes nice boards and schematics and creating foot prints are
very hard after the first one or two.

Good luck keeping your new addiction under control ;)

-joe

On Fri, Aug 19, 2016 at 1:18 PM, Jason Perez 
wrote:

> Hello all,
> I am a new member. Quick background on me, I am a 29 year old engineering
> student looking to learn more about electronics. So I picked up
> Threeneuron's nixie clock kit on ebay. I am really enjoying putting it
> together and I was considering building a PCB to mount all of the nixies.
> Looking at the given schematic it seems like it should be fairly
> straightforward. Without using a board, looks like it would be a real rats
> nest. Was just wondering if anyone could help me out with the board. I have
> looked at a few "on demand" PCB manufacturers that offer their own software
> and none of them had any information on the IN-8 tubes. By the way I also
> ordered the LED bases for IN-8 tubes from the Nocrotec Shop on ebay. So if
> there were some way I could integrate all of that into a printed board that
> would be excellent! I just need some help! Hopefully someone here has done
> it beforeSchematic and a pic of the LED bases attached.
>
> --
> 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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
> To post to this group, send email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
> To view this discussion on the web, visit https://groups.google.com/d/
> msgid/neonixie-l/ab7101de-2aca-4371-a97a-00c17d519d41%40googlegroups.com
> 
> .
> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/CAE%2BVk6Ngmh9F5eRPhuydf--c%2BFE9reuApRi%3DVYSk%3D2MVp000Mg%40mail.gmail.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

Re: [neonixie-l] Help with IN-8 tube mount for Threeneuron's 6 digit clock

[Jason Perez]

John,
Just wondering how the eagle part is coming? I would be perfectly happy using 
your initial layout, it looks great! Could you attach the eagle file for me to 
look over? Not sure exactly what size your design is but hopefully i could open 
it with my student version of the program. 

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/1e1064b6-facc-4418-a110-def179db041e%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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

[Dekatron42]

I ran across similar capacitor problem when using surface mount tantalum 
capacitors and MLCC capacitors, without the proper working voltage across 
them they behave poorly. I had to read a lot of design notes and datasheets 
to realise that they did not fit my design, MLCC capacitors has to be 
reformed by heating over time (high capacitance types at least) and they 
change value when stored and soldered. I didn't know about this before I 
was using them but had to change to polypropylene capacitors in the end. 
You can check the measurement specifications for MLCC capacitors and smd 
tantalums from several manufacturers as well as from the instrument 
manufacturers to see that these capacitors behave in manners that most 
people wouldn't think of. Just measuring them to get correct readings isn't 
possible with simple capacitor testers as the bias voltage when measuring 
is usually to low - learned this while trying to measure them!


/Martin

>

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/bfc3bc4f-151d-48e8-9600-348f9479fc93%40googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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

[JohnK]

I haven't looked at electro specs closely since the mid '90s. I was involved 
with a product that used a conventional aluminium electro in an apparently 
undemanding application. The value was 10uF and variously two types were used- 
a 10VDC and a 25VDC [ or a bit higher - I forget]. The DC voltage across the 
cap was constant at a bit under 2 volts DC and was on one of the inputs to a 
comparator.  There were issues with the product but early in the 
troubleshooting the input circuitry came under scrutiny and it was noticed that 
the capacitors were being run significantly under their 'working voltage'.  The 
capacitor manufacturers [one Euro] were both asked for comment and both advised 
against the use of that style of electro under 75 to 80% of the working 
voltage. The reasons from both related to 'forming'. It wasn't clear whether 
they meant initial forming or continued forming though. To my mind it doesn't 
explain the seemingly satisfactory operation of electros as coupling capacitors 
in early transistor radios for instance. Hard facts concerning time-frames and 
numerical values for degradations weren't forthcoming.
[BTW, the product problem was actually related to the specs for a triac being 
considerably improved by the manufacturer; the old snubber values were now 
causing the problem. ]


John K


  - Original Message - 
  From: gregebert 
  To: neonixie-l 
  Cc: jwalton...@gmail.com 
  Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2016 2:52 AM
  Subject: Re: [neonixie-l] Re: b7971 segment current


  On Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at 12:21:56 AM UTC-7, Jeff Walton wrote:
>During the life of the clock, there were a couple failures of the caps in 
the voltage doubler 



   When your cap(s) failed, was it catastrophic ?  I've only had 1 electrolytic 
fail in recent history, and it was a low-voltage cap that dried-out and shorted 
at medium-resistance in a Heathkit device (not a clock). No smoke, etc.


  I've tried to prevent/mitigate cap failures in my designs by using the 
smallest possible fuse, keeping the caps away from any heat, staying well below 
the rms/ripple current spec, and using a higher voltage rating  than necessary 
(eg 450v cap running at 340VDC).


  Recently, I found caps designed for solar-energy applications (TDK Epcos) 
that boast 85C operation for 10,000 hours, so I use them now. Most 
electrolytics are rated for 2000 hours. That doesn't mean the caps will fail 
(ie, explode) in 2000 hours; they just wont be within spec (capacitance 
out-of-spec, but otherwise functional).


  Electrolytics are a strange beast compared to other components.

  -- 
  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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
  To post to this group, send email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
  To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/66df0632-699e-4d44-866b-a9c52e1fc701%40googlegroups.com.
  For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

-- 
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+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com.
To post to this group, send an email to neonixie-l@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion on the web, visit 
https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/F42BB68AED9F4B03BBA75AEBB029532C%40compunet4f9da9.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.