Nixie power article

[martin martin]

https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/transformer-based-power-for-nixies?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=251670313&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-84n63pOWPbREMLiwyRCLhIjk19l1QxpUSRngk9Gfu3sOiAJmPO10G9WorxKeyisqbWWDH30Uv-nfdUwj3imBF-UkaM3g&utm_content=251670313&utm_source=hs_email

[gregebert]

One caveat about using one of the dual-primary windings as an isolated supply for the HV is that the current is limited. As the load current increases, the output voltage decreases rather quickly. Even when using a transformer well-below it's rated VA output, the output falls. 

I used this approach in one of my clocks (fourteen IN-18 tubes) and although all of them illuminate nicely, the anode current on the tubes is a bit lower than spec so over time there is minor (and reversible) cathode poisoning on some of the month and year tubes. In hindsight I should have done some bench measurements on the transformer before committing to the design. If you have fewer tubes (lower current), or add a voltage-boost, this works fine.

Since then, I've stuck with a "hot" supply for the anodes and actually boost rectified+filtered AC line to about 200V.

On Saturday, March 25, 2023 at 7:11:44 AM UTC-7 martin martin wrote:

https://www.nutsvolts.com/magazine/article/transformer-based-power-for-nixies?utm_medium=email&_hsmi=251670313&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-84n63pOWPbREMLiwyRCLhIjk19l1QxpUSRngk9Gfu3sOiAJmPO10G9WorxKeyisqbWWDH30Uv-nfdUwj3imBF-UkaM3g&utm_content=251670313&utm_source=hs_email