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Why are Nixie tubes so expensive?
Today, nixie tube clocks are still available but rare. People who make them usually use Soviet military stocks. As old tubes get used up, they also become more expensive. The tiny tubes used in watches are especially rare because they were rarely used in the nixie display age.
How long do Nixie clocks last?
Average longevity of Nixie tubes varied from about 5,000 hours for the earliest types, to as high as 200,000 hours or more for some of the last types to be introduced.
Are Nixie clocks safe?
Yes, it is safe to power nixie tubes all the time, the power consumption is below 1W per tube, they stay at room temperature. Our clocks are powered from power adaptor which is able to deliver only 24W, in case of short-circuit of any kind in the clock/tube, the power adaptor cuts off the power.
How much voltage does a Nixie tube need?
Nixie tubes require high voltages (>170 volts) to illuminate. A single anode is connected to a high voltage source via a dropping resistor and cathodes shaped like numbers are grounded to make them illuminate. Drivers, then, must be capable of withstanding the driving voltage.
Why did they stop making Nixie tubes?
In the 1970s, Nixies were eclipsed by LEDs, which were not only much cheaper to make and use but also more versatile. The tubes might have died the lonely death of countless other obsolete devices—and yet they did not. Some Nixies lingered on in legacy equipment, of course.
Why are Nixie tubes so expensive Reddit?
The long life tubes contain a lot of heavy metals, and in some cases radioactive materials. There’s simply no money to be made by manufacturers; costs are too high and demand is too low.
Are Nixie tubes still manufactured?
The last nixie tube was made in the early 90s, when this beautiful technology was replaced by lower-cost alternatives. But production has now resumed in the Czech Republic.
Do Nixie tube clocks use a lot of electricity?
Although the voltage is high, the amount of current flowing is very small, so the clocks do not use much power. They only consume about 3 to 4 Watts of power, and consequently generate almost no heat. The tubes are not hot or even warm to the touch.
How long does an in 14 Nixie tube last?
Overview of Soviet (russian) Nixie Tubes types: height, what they display and their life expectancy Type Height of digit Life time IN-14 (ИН-14) 18 mm min. 5000 / 12 500 h IN-15A, IN-15B (ИН-15А, ИН-15Б) 18 mm min. 1000 h (A) / 800 h (B) IN-16 (ИН-16) 13 mm min. 5000 h IN-17 (ИН-17) 9 mm min. 7500 / 9000 h.
What is Nixie tube poisoning?
Nixie tubes tend to develop a phenomenon called “cathode poisoning” on digits that are no in regular use. To make sure the digits in your clock stays in good condition, all of them needs to be exercised regularly. For each 60 seconds when the tube is on (whatever digit), exercise every other digit for 0.2s.
Are Nixie tubes poisonous?
For the iN-4 Nixie tubes, the 0,4,3, and 9 are susceptible to cathode poisoning if the digits are displayed even the same amount. In this case, it is important to adjust the display time to offset this nonsymmetrical behavior. This is done during a burn-in procedure each evening.
Are Nixie tubes interchangeable?
Built-in battery socket for proper time backup during power interruptions. The Vintage Nixie Clock was designed to work below its operation point to ensure the tubes last longer for you. Easily replaceable Nixie tubes, they are not soldered to the PCB!.
What does Nixie mean?
noun. a letter or parcel that is undeliverable by the post office because of a faulty or illegible address.
Are Nixie tubes AC or DC?
The overall circuit is powered through an off-the-shelf low-voltage AC-to-DC adapter. This version will use the IN-12A Nixie Tube design.
How do you test a nixie tube?
Re: Testing Nixie tubes Connect high voltage between pins along with a series resistor. Try 250 volts and 10K series resistance. Exact values will be determined by spec on the tubes. Connect voltage between pins and see what you get.
How can you prevent cathode poisoning?
How can you prevent cathode poisoning? Exercise inactive cathodes (occasionally cycle the tubes through all cathodes). This will keep cleaning the coating off before it becomes too thick. Example- Nixie Clocks: Rotate the numbers like in a slot machine (a.k.a. one-armed bandit or fruit machine).
Who invented Nixie tubes?
The first stable and well-functioning nixie tube construction was invented by Haydu Brothers Laboratories, which was founded by two Hungarian brothers namely George Haydu and Zoltan Haydu in 1936.
What is a divergence meter?
It is an array of Nixie tubes that uses an unknown method to determine the “Divergence Value” of the current world line in relation to the absolute world line of 0%. The Divergence Meter is used to calculate what Attractor Field the universe is currently in.
Can you buy new Nixie tubes?
Unfortunately, nobody actually manufacturers new Nixie tubes anymore, and everything you can buy is simply old stock from decades ago — stock that’s going to run out. Every ZIN18 Nixie tube will be freshly-manufactured, making it the only real option if you want a brand new Nixie tube.
Are Nixie tubes efficient?
Efficiency ranges from around 65% for 3.7V in, up to around 80% for 5V and 12V.
How does nixie tube clock work?
The nixie tube works like a neon lamp. It consists of an evacuated glass tube to which a small amount of neon gas has been added. When a positive voltage of about 180 Volts is applied to the anode mesh relative to a cathode element, the neon gas surrounding the cathode sees a strong electric field.
