EEVblog #948 - Nixie Tube Display Project - Part 1

Part 1 of an internet connected Nixie tube counter/clock display project.
What are Nixie Tubes? How do they work? How do you drive them?
Selecting a suitable driving solution and parametric searching.
Using the IN12A or IN12B tubes.
UPDATE: Any totom pole output solution isn't going to work that great. Will update in the next video.
Forum:

Support the EEVblog through Patreon!

EEVblog Amazon Store (Dave gets a cut):

[mikeselectricstuff]

You don't need latched outputs - you just shift quickly, and use the output enable to blank while shifting.
You also don't actually need drivers rated to the full anode voltage due to the forward voltage drop of the nixies.

[MikhailChernoskutov]

Dave, considering datasheet.
Voltage at which discharge happens: not more than 170V
Current for digits: not more than 2.5mA
Current for dot: not more than: 0.3mA
Cathode brightness: not less than 100 [candels/(square meter)]

Power supply voltage (DC or AC RMS with half bridge): not less than 200V
Maintaining discharge voltage: 120 - 170V
Operating curent at DC voltage:
for digits: 2 - 3.5mA
for dot: 0.7mA
Operating current at 50Hz AC with half bridge:
for digits: not more than 2mA
for dot: not more than 0.2mA

No noble metals contained.

[ArtesianFalma]

Dave, suggestion from a professional solder; if you cut the legs on the components after soldering, you should resolder. The kick from cutting with a plier can cause micro cracks in the solder joint causing the board to fail after some time. Maybe not super important but nice for viewers to know.

[chrispychickin]

Hey Dave, have you considered a fundamentals friday episode on different output types for IC's? Totem pole, open collector, etc. Its one of those things that I've picked up bits of over the years, but i'm sure newbies, and people like myself could do with a refresher, or learn some extra tricks around different types!

[joell]

Dave, I'm a mechanical engineer and I always learn something new when I watch your videos. You make these videos so incredibly interesting and relevant. Sure wish I had someone like you around to show me the way when it was time to decide what kind of engineering I should study 35 yrs ago. Thanks for taking the time to record, edit and share with us!

[MOTOSNOWRIDER]

Awesome video Dave! I liked how you had all the different chips you looked at in there, instead of just showing us the one you ultimately went with.

[MaxIzrin]

I really panicked when you got the translation wrong.
Good thing you double checked, mark of a good engineer, good on you mate.
I was scared you'd burn the thing because of the decimal needing a smaller current.

[veremenko]

Important! 0, 3 mA is indication current of decimal point. 2.5 mA for numbers. Maximum for DC: .7 mA for decimal point and 2-3.5 mA for numbers. For AC (50 Hz half-way rectifier) max current: 2 mA for numbers and .2 mA for decimal point.

UPD Looked further and you used google translate. Few)

[TheRopez]

Just ordered a set of nixies, yes I'm making a clock, and was happy to come across this. Has been too long since I watched anything on this channel. May be time to binge some mailbag.

[NoName-btoy]

The beginning of some classic EEVBlog.

Looking forward to the rest of these vids.

[JeMasLT]

So that's how you looking for specific chips. Nice work. Will wait for all progress you do.

[olbap]

Ah, EEVBlog. You always put a smile on my face.

[FranLab]

Some of the Russian nixie tubes have a radioactive isotope added to decrease the low-light turn on time.

[DaWalkDude]

I Quite like the touch screen support for DaveCad! It looks so bold and responsive!

[TonyKDRTT]

Dave, I'm loving these project videos. I know they're a lot of work, but they're fun to follow along with!

[sficlassic]

The channel Mr. Carlson's Lab did a nice project with Nixie tubes. He designed it to be a frequency counter / digital display for radios. It will be interesting to see how it's done here.

[PolygonByte]

This was an absolutely wonderful episode, Dave! I really enjoyed seeing and hearing your thought process during the design phase of a project. I can't wait to see more videos on this project and to see the end result!

[ianbcnp]

Cracking stuff, thank you! Fran got me started on these beauties and I've been learning by getting them working and counting just using decade counters and 10 hv transistors and resistors per tube. I think this should take my meagre understanding to a new level. Looking forward to the next one!

[electronicsNmore]

Nixie tubes are cool. I need to get my hands on a few.

[TekkGnostic]

Fan of Mr Carlson's Lab?
He's got a bunch of great vids playing with Nixies. Fun stuff.