Corrosion vs. air humidity

[ZY]

Hello. I live near the coast and my air humidity is pretty high, usually it's around or above 50% on warmer days and maybe even higher if it rains. While I store my nixies in containers with a few silica packets, the nixies that are built into clocks are exposed to the humidity.

I'm wondering if such humidity has any noticeable impact on nixie lifespan in terms of rusting at the glass-metal interface?

Would it be a good idea to apply a bit of conformal coat over the glass-metal interface, or would the risk of the conformal coat chemically attacking the area over time be more than what humidity can do? The coating I usually use for PCBs is MG Chemicals silicone modified conformal coating. 

[Kevin A.]

If you are concerned about corroding contacts, I think a spartan amount of conductive electrical grease would suffice to them safe from the elements. 

Conformal coat can get messy very quickly. Plus, if you ever wanted to replace a tube it might be even more of a bear as things might get stuck. 

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[Organs Grinder]

On Mon, Feb 10, 2020 at 8:56 AM Kevin A. <ka...@scarletmail.rutgers.edu> wrote:

If you are concerned about corroding contacts, I think a spartan amount of conductive electrical grease would suffice to them safe from the elements. 

Conformal coat can get messy very quickly. Plus, if you ever wanted to replace a tube it might be even more of a bear as things might get stuck. 

On Sun, Feb 9, 2020, 7:51 PM ZY <zongy...@gmail.com> wrote:

Hello. I live near the coast and my air humidity is pretty high, usually it's around or above 50% on warmer days and maybe even higher if it rains. While I store my nixies in containers with a few silica packets, the nixies that are built into clocks are exposed to the humidity.

I'm wondering if such humidity has any noticeable impact on nixie lifespan in terms of rusting at the glass-metal interface?

I live in a much more humid area 70%+ all year round, I can't say I've see any bad effects on any of my clocks or stored tubes.

My tubes are also stored in containers but not airtight.

I do agree with Kevin on the fact you could use a small amount of electrical grease if your super worried. I have not however.

cheers

[John Snow]

Is it possible to construct a perspex prison with silica gel inside for the clocks?

[Terry S]

I wouldn't worry about it. The tube generates enough heat in normal operation to prevent condensation on the pins.