NIXIE TUBE DRIVER MODULES - Part I

What I had been looking for was a way to easily deal with multiple nixie tube digits in various projects that I was working on. I really wanted an easy way to connect many digits together with minimum digit spacing, and have the digits controlled by a simple serial interface. You'll find all the schematics and board layouts are available through the links in this instructable, released under a creative commons license.

Voila, the nixie tube board that I came up with supports two IN-12A type nixie tubes via two printed circuit mounting phenolic sockets. The nixie tube board is designed to be supported by a nixie driver board below it, which permits a microcontroller ( Arduino, etc.) to address the two nixie tube digits, and via a shift register chain, multiple pairs of nixie tube digits. The edge connecting header pins easily allow the multiple digits to be physically connected and may be powered by an external high voltage supply. This densely packed configuration permits minimum digit spacing while threading power and serial data connections to all elements.

Step 1: Parts List

1 - printed circuit board
2 - IN-12A nixe tube
2 - IN-12A nixie tube socket
2 - straight 12-pin male header (1x12)

Comments

[TechDante]

does this board have the capeability to utilise the in-12b decimal point and if so could this be re routed to use a pair of the ins-1 ixie lamp (one from each nixie tube on a duo board

[gluplug]

The decimal point pin is left open (unconnected) for those who'd like to use IN-12Bs.

[dakegg]

Do you need a driver for every pair of tubes, or can you make a single driver for more than 2 tubes?

[gluplug]

Yes, for each tube pair, a driver board is required.

[longsl]

i need for your help :)

My tube lighting not good. when one number is burn, the number beside is burning too. I beat it on table --> this tube became normally but re_happen next time.

I don't know why and how to repair it ??

Thx you so much !

[gluplug]

Hello longsl,

If you have a defective tube, allow ten hours burn in time. If the problem persists, let me know and I'll send you another.

OGI LUMEN

[Dr.Bill]

The first real calculators were show cased in NYC about 1964.
They were able to devide numbers unlike their adding machine counterparts.
These calculators were huge at almost 3 feet wide and a foot tall.
They used NIXIE Tubes as read outs with their glowing wire segments.

I saw their introduction on the morning news and wrote down the address where they could be found.
A few days later I skipped out of school (4th grade) to go see them for myself.

New they cost $2000 and they did no more than todays basic calculator out of the Dollar Store for a buck.................

I have seen a clock that used them and thought they were still cool.

[junits15]

what is a nixie tube?

[junits15]

and what can i use to power them

[gluplug]

You can jumpstart these tubes with a high voltage power supply like this one.

[whoop_john]

(removed by author or community request)

[whoop_john]

 Then I apologise to you Gluplug.

[gluplug]

In fact, Nick was consulted before these kits were offered for sale.  If you check the post, you'll see his original files are linked.

[junits15]

any way i can make one? (know of any instructables?)

[gluplug]

But, of course. <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.instructables.com/id/NIXIE_TUBE_DRIVER_MODULES_Part_III_HV_POWER_SUPP/">Here</a> it is.<br/>

[gluplug]

there's a great intro to nixies here.

[junits15]

that is sick! i want one of those!

[DarkStarPDX]

This is awesome! I just went to a local workshop where we built our own Arduino boards and I've been looking for some cool projects for it.

[gluplug]

We also like the RBBBs from Modern Device to run these puppies.