EEVblog #251 - Mailbag

What's in Dave's Mailbag?
Send to:
PO Box 7949
Baulkham Hills BC
Baulkham Hills NSW 2153
AUSTRALIA

NOTE: The PO Box isn't big. A4 letter size x maybe 100mm high. otherwise I gotta line up at the counter and collect.

[sabamacx]

That's a really cool kit. What a great way to learn the bus.

[internet]

I love the treatment the mail company gave that poor box!

[IcicleTrepan]

Now we want to see you put the new toys together!

[mikeselectricstuff]

That is not a nixie tube - looks like a tuneon or similar.

[criscros]

@ForViewingOnly
Lifespan (typically of the more "recent" types) can be rated up to 200, 000+ hrs (the first types were rated to last only a small fraction of that). Cycling of the numerals (like in clocks) and driving the tubes below their max. specs (i.e. at somewhat reduced brightness) is said to be of great benefit to the lifespan.
Sorry, I don't know of the tubes are more delicate when they're on. I'm not a Nixie expert.

[criscros]

@ForViewingOnly
80–250V, typically 170V, at a few mA. 30mm high numerals as used in clocks are <1W per piece.

[tbbw]

Have you built the nixie tube yet?
Would be fun to see it in action :)

[aerofart]

Wow Dave, this is almost like getting goodies myself. That was nice of Vincent Himpe and Tilman Berman(?) to send those to you.

So now that you have some new toys (i.e. MakerBot, I2C stuff and NixieTube kit, I'd like to see you BUILD SOMETHING!

[EEVblog]

@SigEpBlue Unless I get inundated with stuff (*grin*), no need to give priority, I'll give time to all stuff that comes in each week.

[BulletMagnet]

I really like the look of that book/pcb set :-D Haven't played with any I2C stuff yet... looks like just the sort of thing I could do with! Good chance to get some SMT soldering practice in too.

[EEVblog]

@Aaron16 If you can fit in the box, sure!

[sacherjj]

Looking at the book and PCBs. They are wanting $43/board. That seems really high. Are they expecting such low volume that they didn't make them at a decent price? It is over $120 before parts to use the boards and book.

[TilmanBaumann]

@Topachula The Nixie it was ordered on the 31th of January.
Regular post, not air mail I suppose.

[dalriada]

Incidentally, I was reading about IIC yesterday, so this is a timely 'advert'. :)

[ForViewingOnly]

@criscros7 Thanks for the info. Any idea about the durability and lifespan of Nixie tubes? Are they similar to valves in guitar amplifiers, in that they are delicate when on and hot, and more robust when off and cold?

[ForViewingOnly]

I'm really interested in these Nixie devices, especially after seeing them on vintage calculators from the mid Seventies.. How much power does one display tube use generally? Are we talking Watts, tens of Watts, more? How about voltage required to run them? They are very retro-cool.

[AntiProtonBoy]

Make it into a regular series provided you build the stuff! :P

[SeanBZA]

Elektor boards have always been pricy.

About the only thing I would send Dave is something to have a lightbulb idea moment with.

[Albinorama]

wow! this new section looks promisng! <3

[maxovitsj]

Will you do a video of you building the Nixie-tube thermometer?