INS-1 problems

[Jonathan Peakall]

Hi All,

 

I have been putting a clock together using INS-1 tubes for colons. The problem is that after a few hours of use the tubes have become erratic and dimmer, with one of them being worse than the other. I am driving them at .3mA which is less than the recommended current. Cathode poisoning? Should I drive them harder for a while and if so how hard and how long?

 

This clock is a gift that is due next week. And I can't find the other two INS-1s that I bought! Ahhh! Help!

 

Jonathan
www.madlabs.info

[B Otto]

Hi Jonathan,

In my expierence all the old Russian neons have quality issues. Of the INS-1s I have worked with it seems only 1 out of 20 will glow well for more than a week. These are far better than the IN-3s tho... out of my purchase of 500 only 30 or so worked as well as NOS American-made counterparts. Perhaps you and I have gotten bad batches or maybe the seals are suffering from time...

-Otto

[Dekatron42]

Have you "aged" the INS-1's before use?

 

Many neon indicators needs to be "aged" properly before use so the ones not working properly can be removed, you can read about aging neon indicators here: http://www.dos4ever.com/ring/ring.html , scroll down to "More on Neon Tubes" to read about aging, but read the rest too as it is interresting reading!

 

/Martin

[Jonathan Peakall]

Hi Otto,

Wow, what a drag to hear. Are there any similar American made end view
tubes? This clock has to get out the door.

>Have you "aged" the INS-1's before use?

>Many neon indicators needs to be "aged" properly before use so the ones not
>working properly can be removed, you can >read about aging neon indicators
>here: http://www.dos4ever.com/ring/ring.html , scroll down to "More on Neon
>Tubes" to >read about aging, but read the rest too as it is interresting
>reading!

Martin,

No, I didn't. Turns out I did do sorta that yesterday. I discovered I had
swapped the anode and cathode wires, so I switched them back and then ran
'em at about 1mA for 1/2 an hour or so. I read and will re-read the page you
linked, but any guidlines on these tubes? How much current and for how long?

They are at least working again. Thanks!

Jonathan