Is it ok/possible to have multiple cathodes of a nixie tube fire at the same time?

[cjkorth]

I have a display in mind that would fire off random cathodes, some at the at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this: a) would work ok, and b) be ok for the tube (cathode poisoning?)

[Dalibor Farný]

Hi,

it is not reliable, connected cathodes could glow, but also could glow only one of them, better to use multiplexing for that.

Dalibor

2013/7/9 cjkorth <cjk...@hotmail.com>

I have a display in mind that would fire off random cathodes, some at the at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this: a) would work ok, and b) be ok for the tube (cathode poisoning?)

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Dalibor Farny
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[John Rehwinkel]

> I have a display in mind that would fire off random cathodes, some at the at the same time. However, I'm not sure if this: a) would work ok, and b) be ok for the tube (cathode poisoning?)

Aside from multiplexing, the way to do this reliably is to use individual cathode resistors instead of a shared anode resistor. As long as you keep the total current reasonable, I don't think it would harm the tube at all. Cathode poisoning comes from not using cathodes for a long time while others are lit.

- John