Reverting Cathode Poisoning of Strange Soviet Nixie

108 views
Skip to first unread message

Oskar

unread,
Feb 11, 2025, 2:56:45 PM2/11/25
to neonixie-l
This tube is currently on loan to me and appears to be from the Soviet Union, possibly an IN-18 prototype. However, I honestly don’t have much information on it. It seems to be filled with pure neon and had significant cathode poisoning, particularly on the zero. I spent a few hours healing it today, and the results turned out great. It now runs flawlessly at 170V with a 4.7k resistor again.

The digits are very intriguing. They don't appear to be etched/stamped as parts of them overlap (e.g., crossing in the four) but they aren't bent from round wire either.


1-min.JPG2-min.JPG3-min.JPG4-min.JPG5-min.JPG6-min.JPG7-min.JPG

Oskar

unread,
Feb 11, 2025, 2:59:38 PM2/11/25
to neonixie-l
PS: That remaining dark spot isn't due to cathode poisoning. It occurs because the cathode above the zero is slightly crooked and positioned very close to that area, leaving no room for a proper discharge.

Instrument Resources of America

unread,
Feb 11, 2025, 4:39:37 PM2/11/25
to neoni...@googlegroups.com

They have the appearance to me of being 'formed' out of square wire, around an appropriate form, and spot welded where necessary!

Irv.

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "neonixie-l" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to neonixie-l+...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion, visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/neonixie-l/c60b7594-b629-4c6f-9b59-ae2207876511n%40googlegroups.com.
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages