Nixie tube driver modules

This classic nixie tube combines a ceramic tube base, gold. Combined with classic nixie tube, ceramic tube basement, gold. Nixie tubes still enjoy a following among enthusiasts of retro technology. The main objective for this project is to design a modular nixie display board containing two in12as and two neon indicators colon that can be strung along to create 2, 4 or 6 digit clocks. At this point i added the real time module and the arduino mega pro mini to the pc so that i could iterate through the code and resolve bugs faster. This psu is not powerful enough to drive in9 tubes. Driver board makes nixie projects easier than ever. The project uses dynamic indication and a simple stepup voltage converter up to 180v. We need a driver that is suitable for high voltages e. This classic nixie tube combines a ceramic tube base, goldplated pcb, and an rgb background led. A simple way to implement a 6digit rgb backlit nixie tube display into any project, with an accompanying arduino library. Nixie module for arduino latest open tech from seeed studio.

Basically the way these boards work is to use k155d nixie tube drivers controlled by i2c io expanders mcp23017 and pcf8574. I used the same boards that i used for the nixie tube calculator project, also described in an article and video of mine called controlling nixie tubes via i2c. Nixie pipe provides the unique visual intrigue of a nixie tube but with modern day portability, reliability and interfacing. With the same concept of developing the nixie tube module for arduino, in order to make the vfd tube reborn, combined antiquated electronics with modern technology, the vfd tube module is developed as independent blocks. I wasnt expecting the clock to arrive for another few weeks due to the overseas shipping. This makes controlling nixie modules much easier, especially for arduino, and other similar platforms.

Its a box that steps through the display on any nixie tube through the use of a set of pluggable socket modules, and its encased in an extremely attractive lasecut acrylic enclosure. An scrbased neon lamp driver, usable as a cathode driver in a multiplexed circuit if there is a small interdigit pause to turn off the scrs. An scrbased nixie driver, nice but scrs are expensive today. Test circuit to drive a nixie clock with arduino, using 74141 ic. Most nixie tube drivers require the obsolete and hard to find 7441 or 74141 ttl decoder driver ics, or else high voltage driver transistors. From the outside, the nixie tube looks like a glass capsule with a glowing digit.

Driver board makes nixie projects easier than ever hackaday. The nixie driver board is designed to receive serial input from an external microcontroller arduino, etc. Managed to hook up one module to power and do hit the test button with no issues. Nixie tube clock custom pcb for nixie clock nixie clock project parts lessons learned this was my very first circuit board design and the only help i had was my research. Mar 04, 2018 get professional pcbs for low prices from. Ive sometimes been tempted to build a nixie tube clock, but the difficulties and expense always put me off. Using arduino nano 33 iot or particle photon you can connect. This time the driver has 22 outputs so you can control two nixie tubes. I can not solder smd, so i need the 44 pin plcc versions that can easily be used with a socket in 2. The nixie tube driver from doayee is a convenient and easy way to implement a 6digit nixie tube display into any project of yours. The arduino nixie clock is a nixie clock, which you can program entirely with the well known arduino ide. The clock fits the decor of his home office perfectly. Boosted circuit, driver, and plug sockets are integrated. By laser engraving the acrylic layers, the piped light diffracts, creating controlled illumination.

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. The smartnixie is a sophisticated i 2 c display module with an onboard uprocessor and high voltage display driver that may be ordered with or without a nixie display tube. May 9, 20 in17 nixie tubes temporarily out of stock check back soon, as i have. Nixie tube driver modules part iii hv power supply. By connecting dht22 sensor it is also possible to build binary thermometer and hygrometer. Several modules can be plugged in serial for customized needs. I wanted to produce a nixie display using easily obtainable parts well except for the nixies, and at the same time keep the parts count low. For collectors, ebay features an array of new and preowned nixie tubes, kits, and other related products. I designed an arduinocompatible nixie tube driver module. Instead, you can control every digit and an rgb backlight via spi using only 3 wires and 1 line of code. That makes the module easy to plug into a motherboard or riser card. Nixie like displays made by other firms had trademarked names including digitron, inditron and numicator. Young generations may have never seen its limpid cyan fluorescence, given life by the intelligence of the last century. Built by yours truly, for a wedding gift commission.

Doayee is raising funds for nixie tube driver on kickstarter. Diy soldering kit for iv11 vfd nixie tube clock nixie. The clocks motherboard has connectors for particle photon and arduino nano form factor boards classic nano, nano every, nano 33 iot. Iv11 nixie tube clock comes with soldering kit and fully assembled options. I am looking for a setup that, once i make it, will make setting the nixie tube is as easy as a digitalwrite. The onboard shift registeres allows the modules to be daisy chained. Ive been thinking about making my own nixie clock as well, and instead of the traditional approach i decided to design a dedicated driver board called exixe. They are breadboardfriendly, integratable, and reusable. November072003 finished back to dieters nixie tube page email to dieter as i have dozens of old unknown condition 74141 and 7441 driver chips laying around. An anodescanning display, which even has a dimming control. Nixie tube driver v2 any arduino board in this example it will be arduino nano.

In this example, the anode output channel is sending 180 volts through the 10k resistor to the anode pin of the nixie tube. In12 nixie tubes refer to a specific style of the vintage hardware. I hit the test button with a stick since it cautions the onboard voltage can be up to 170 volts. It aims to simplify nixie tube related projects by eliminating the need for obscure vintage driver chips and multiplexing circuits. Very useful for canadian companies, schools, and experimenters that need access to sophisticated, low cost electronics. Each module has two nixie tubes, a shift register and a nixie driver. Nixie tubes are seen in all of the devices mentioned previously but also enjoy frequent pairing with digital clocks as well. Nixie tubes required 170v dc power supply so we need nixie power supply module any high voltage 170v converter will be fine. The driver chip on the arduinix opens the 0 cathode terminal, allowing the 0 cathode lead to ground out, lighting the 0 element in the tube. Each nixie tube has 10 separate metal cutouts one for each digit 09 all stacked inside of the tube. Driving a nixie tube with an arduino in this video we cary on from the previous nixie tube video. Niksee, or cold cathode display, is an electronic device for displaying numerals or other information using glow discharge. In this tutorial, you will learn how to control a nixie tube with an arduino nixie tubes were the only way to display numbers back in the 50s, before vfd and seven segments displays.

I designed an opensource nixie tube driver module, to. Ive been thinking about making my own nixie clock as well, and in the end instead of the traditional approach i decided to design a dedicated driver board that takes care of everything for me. Audio vu meter with in or in9 russian nixie bargraph tubes. Each nixie pipe contains ten individually controlled rgb leds, which sit below channelled layers of acrylic acting as light pipes. It supports in12ab and in15ab tubes, giving you the option of displaying numbers, decimal points and symbols. For instance, the 744174141 high voltage bcd decoder driver ics for the nixie tubes are now available as russian nos pieces with the model number k155id1 or km155id1. Nixie tube driver v2 any arduino board in this example it will be arduino nano nixie tube driver v2. Best value nixie tubes great deals on nixie tubes from. The driver can also be used for multisegment tubes e. I sat down and sketched a super simple driver testing circuit to test them all. Probably the most popular nixie driver transistor is the mpsa42. This nixie module for arduino makes it prossible to drive the nixie tube directly. There are a variety of integrated circuits capable of driving nixie tubes, such as the vintage 7441, 7441a, and 74141 ttl chips, and modern highvoltage drivers such as those made by supertex.

Nov 09, 2019 most nixie tube drivers require the obsolete and hard to find 7441 or 74141 ttl decoder driver ics, or else high voltage driver transistors. Instead, you can control every digit and an rgb backlight via spi using only 3 wires and. Use your arduino nano or particle photon board and build binary nixie clock with 18 x in2 nixie tubes. A nixie tube is a glass tube used in the mid 1900s to display numbers. This module can be used in a variety of applications. Jun 08, 2018 doayee is raising funds for nixie tube driver on kickstarter. In this video, i build a nixie tube frequency counter.

The code is open source see the manuals and downloads page and so the possibilities are only limited by your imagination. Discover over 78 of our best selection of nixie tubes on with topselling nixie tubes brands. The idea is, tubes can be individually controlled via spi. I recommend that you do the design and put it on a breadboard to make sure things work the way you thought they would. Miniture nixie tube driver modules from dekunukem on.

Dec 22, 2016 light pipes and leds team up for a modern take on the nixie tube. Each tube would take a lot of pins if i had 1 pin per digit. The burroughs corporation introduced nixie and owned the name nixie as a trademark. The nixie tube board is designed to be supported by a nixie driver board below it, which permits a microcontroller arduino, etc. Lowcost miniature nixie tube driver modules github. Instead you simply use a 3wire spi to control the brightness of every digit plus the rgb backlight. While i would normally be fine with leaving the pcbs out in the open, this particular project involves high enough voltages that a nasty shock can occur if care is not taken when handling the clock when powered on. Sep 06, 2012 i downloaded the sample code and looked at the wiki. Tube driver module fully powered down with power button, including anode and filament power, effectively extending the lifespan of vfd tubes. I bought this nixie tube clock as a gift for my dad on fathers day. Nch8200hv high voltage power supply module is miniature stepup dcdc converter with high efficiency and low heat, operating from 2. It is filled with neon gas, and when you run power through it around 180 volts dc the metal segments light up to display a number. These neoncolored light displays were made in the 1950s by haydu brothers laboratories. All materials used are brand new and 100% quality assurance tested.

The driver can also be used for multisegment tubes. Here i used the decoder 74141 and the neon indicators in12. More importantly, its compatible with arduino and completely open source. Applying power to one cathode surrounds it with an. This is acceptable period components since the former soviet union kept original nixie tube. The modules also allow control of the decimal point, and theres even a. I designed an arduinocompatible nixie tube driver module, to. This nixie module is an allinone design, which integrates nixie tube, ceramic tube basement, goldplated pcb, rgb background led, boosted circuit and driver into a smallsized module. I really wanted an easy way to connect many digits together with minimum digit spacing, and have the digits controlled. Light pipes and leds team up for a modern take on the nixie tube. Shop the top 25 most popular nixie tubes at the best prices.

In indicator tubes vacuum tubes, capacitors, nixie tubes, sockets. The module family also includes rtc, gps rtc, timer, backplane and hvps modules. In12 datasheet same as in12b less the comma cathode description. Before we look at preparing the arduinofreeduino microcontroller for connection to the nixie tube driver modules described in part i and part ii, you can build this. This is a useful four digit selfcontained nixie display module with colorful backlighting that is controlled from a serial link. I understand how to drive nixie tubes and i could make a driver. The nixie shield allows an raspberry pi board to connect any nixie tube you want to use in your projects. A proper generic term is cold cathode neon readout tube, though the phrase nixie tube quickly entered the vernacular as a generic name. You can use arduino, raspberry pi, or anything with gpios really. I designed an opensource nixie tube driver module, to make. The glass tube contains a wiremesh anode and multiple cathodes, shaped like numerals or other symbols.