English - Hrvatski
Digital retro clock with Nixie tubes (continued)
Do not attempt to build this clock until you're familiar with high voltage caveats!
Schematic is here, just in case you cannot reach Mike's site.
Original schematic is followed almost completely, instead of W06 I've placed 4 1N4007 diodes.
Nixie tubes 5853S have pins space of 2.54mm, so I've used few SIL sockets instead of soldering the tubes on the board. This made things easier for me, both during assembly and proper positioning between the tubes and upper cover. If you need them, here is datasheet and pinout for 5853S and two similar tubes.
I've used metal-film resistors, because today's carbon resistors have low working voltage. Carbon resistors are prone to failure when working near the upper voltage limit. They could go high or low in value. Last one is more dangerous, especially for anode resistors R5-R8. Reduced resistor value will increase the current through the nixie, reducing the nixie's life considerably.
However, I do recommend reading Mike's site thoroughly, and Internet search. You can find lots of info there. Of course, I'll try to answer your mail. If you want, you can subscribe to NEONIXIE mailing list, and join the friendly group of people with same interest.
And few more "night" pictures:
Nice, ha?
Compare it with sterile LED displays.
Close view
to illuminated cathodes.
Orange glow
reflected on shiny Plexiglas surface
Changing the
white balance on my camera changed the glow to more purple color
Pictures (C) 2004 Tomislav Kordaso, 9A5TT