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March 09, 2023

best nixie tubes for diy

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K155ID1

K155ID1

I think K155ID1 chips are a great option for DIY nixie tube projects. They are known to be readily available and built specifically to drive nixies [2] , and are easy to find on eBay [5] . Compared to other possible answers in the notes, such as IN-14 tubes, K155ID1 chips require less board real estate (10 transistors per nixie) [2] , but may require a specialized socket [5] .
IN-14

IN-14

I think IN-14 Nixie Tubes are a great choice for a DIY project. They're quite easy to find, with many sellers offering them on eBay [1] and tubehobby.com [2] . Not only that, but they have 7-8mm leads [5] , so they can be soldered directly onto the PCB. In addition, they come with the round plastic bases needed to hold them in straight alignment [7] , so they don't require specialized sockets. Finally, they're good value for money and can be driven by the K155ID1 chip or equivalent [5] , making them a popular choice for DIY projects.
IN-16

IN-16

It seems IN-16 nixie tubes are a great choice for DIY projects. They're tiny and beautiful [4] , and can be directly soldered [5] to make building the project easier. They also have hard prongs that need to be attached to a socket which makes it easier to attach and remove them [7] . Plus, the sockets have holes in the center that are perfect for attaching LEDs for floor lighting [7] . People say that IN-16s are cheaper and easier to obtain than some of the other types of nixie tubes [2] , making them a great option for those looking for an affordable way to get into DIY nixie tube projects.
IN-17

IN-17

The IN-17 seems to be a popular choice for DIY projects because it is an ultra tiny nixie tube that can be soldered directly to the PCB. It is also relatively easy to obtain [9] and can be used with a socket for greater freedom in placement of components in the housing [7] . It is often compared to the IN-14 as they are similarly sized, but many people say that the IN-17 has a better look and feel [3] . Additionally, it needs less current than other tubes [5] , which makes it more economical.
IN-18

IN-18

It seems that IN-18 nixie tubes could be a great choice for DIY projects. They are large and beautiful tubes [4] , and they can be directly soldered onto the PCB [6] , making them easier to work with than those with hard prongs. People say that they are still plenty available, cheap and recommended [5] . Additionally, they can be found in a variety of places such as eBay [1] and tubehobby.com [9] .
All answers

All answers

  • K155ID1
  • IN-14
  • IN-16
  • IN-17
  • IN-18
  • IN-2
  • IN-8
  • IN-8-2
  • eBay
  • tubehobby.com
  • allspectrum.com
  • MPSA42 Transistor
  • 74141 BCD to decimal decoder IC
  • ULN2003
  • Korg Corporation's NuTube

    • Source of Nixie Tubes

    When looking for Nixie tubes, the first thing to consider is where to buy them. eBay is a great place to find NOS (New Old Stock) tubes [1] , as well as tubehobby.com [2] and allspectrum.com [3] . However, it's important to stay aware that there are no plans to manufacture new Nixie tubes for enthusiasts [3] .

    Power Supply Module

    The power supply module is an essential component when building a Nixie tube clock. One possible choice is the MPSA42 transistor, which can withstand 190V+ [2] , or the 74141 BCD to decimal decoder IC, rated only for 70V but can work with two diodes on the output [2] . Other options include the K155ID1 chip, which is still widely available and relatively cheap [2] , or the ULN2003 with zener clamps at 50V and tested as possible in a project from the EEVBlog [3] .

    Driver ICs

    Driver ICs are key components in a Nixie tube project, as they convert binary signals into segmented outputs which activate each digit tube. The most popular option is the KD155ID1 chip, which is readily available and works specifically to drive nixies [6] . Alternately, one could use discrete transistors instead of an IC - however this takes up a lot of board real estate (10 transistors per nixie) [6] .

    Shift Register

    Using a shift register will reduce the number of pins needed on an Arduino board for your project. A shift register like 74HC595 is widely used and provides eight outputs from three digital pins on the Arduino Uno [7] . This makes it easier to control multiple digits without taking up too much space on your board.

    Round Plastic Bases

    Round plastic bases are necessary for keeping your Nixie tubes properly aligned even when mounted on PCBs. These bases also help keep the tubes perpendicular to your PCBs - allowing them to show through cases easily - and have holes in their centers so LEDs can be attached for floor lighting purposes [8] . Longer leads may also be necessary if you want your tubes sticking out further than your case allows [7] .

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    Research

    Source: "nixie tubes for sale | eBay" (from web, www.ebay.com)

    None

    Source: "How to go about building this nixie clock" (from reddit, r/AskElectronics)

    • Chinese QS30 tubes
      • Cheap, plentiful, and look great
      • Can be directly soldered
    • Taylor Edge Kit
      • Uses discrete logic and displays using Russian IN-12 tubes
      • Costs $14 for a bare PCB, $20 for a super efficient HV supply, and $10 on eBay for 6 IN-12B tubes
    • KD155ID1 Chips
      • Readily available and are built specifically to drive nixies
      • Can also use discrete transistors, but at 10 transistors per nixie this takes up a lot of board real estate
    • Numitron Tubes
      • Operate at around 5-7V
      • Basically light bulbs made into a 7-segment display
    • Arduino
      • Can interface directly with a microcontroller like Arduino
      • Easy to use and code for
      • Can get a RTC Module and 7-segment display to practice with before investing in nixie tubes

    Source: "Buying some Nixie tubes and have a couple quest..." (from reddit, r/diytubes)

    • IN-14 Nixie tubes
      • Can get the tubes with missing ‘decimal period/comma’ leads.
      • Can get the tubes with 7-8mm leads.
      • Most of the tubes do not come with the round plastic bases, but they can be included if requested.
    • Power supply module (Driver, High voltage supply that turns 9v ac to 200+dc)
      • Can be bought off eBay.
    • Driver IC’s (that convert the binary to the right segment)
      • Needed for the project.
    • Shift Register (to reduce arduino pins)
      • Needed for the project.
    • Round plastic bases
      • Used to hold the tube in straight alignment, even on a PCB.
      • Used to naturally hold the tube exactly perpendicular to the PCB.
    • Longer leads (for the tubes)
      • Longer leads would be needed for the tubes to be off the PCB enough to show out of the case.
    • Submachine like number scramble (to ensure the tubes don’t burn in)
      • Used to ensure the tubes don’t burn in.

    Source: "Nixie tube clock: IN14 vs IN8 tubes, plus Ardui..." (from reddit, r/diyelectronics)

    • IN-14 tubes
      • Most commonly used and easiest to obtain
      • Soldered directly onto the PCB
    • IN-8 tubes
      • Have hard prongs and need to be attached to a socket
      • Presence of sockets makes it easier to attach and remove tubes
      • Sockets have holes in the center to easily attach LEDs for floor lighting
      • Sockets have screw mounts, giving greater freedom in placement of components in the housing
    • Controlling the clock with an Arduino Uno and various switches
      • Safe to turn off the Arduino by removing the power
      • On/off switch
      • Toggle switch for changing between displaying the time and date
      • Toggle switch to turn the floorlights on and off
      • Set of buttons/switches to change between altering the time, date, and floorlight colour
      • Three momentary return to center rocker switches to increase/decrease time/date/colour values

    Source: "Nixie tubes for collectors and designers - tube..." (from web, www.tubehobby.com)

    • IN-16
      • Tiny beautiful nixie tube
    • IN-17
      • Ultra tiny nixie tube
    • IN-18
      • Large beautiful nixie tube
    • IN-2
      • Ultra tiny end-view nixie tube
    • IN-8
      • Middle size nixie tube
    • IN-8-2
      • Middle size nixie tube

    💭  Looking into

    What are the advantages and disadvantages of DIY nixie tubes vs. NOS nixie tubes?

    💭  Looking into

    What are the most common types of nixie tubes?

    💭  Looking into

    What is the maximum voltage that allspectrum.com's nixie tubes can withstand?

    💭  Looking into

    What types of nixie tubes does tubehobby.com offer?

    💭  Looking into

    What type of feedback should I look for when buying nixie tubes on eBay?

    Source: "IN-14 nixie tube project" (from reddit, r/diytubes)

    • MPSA42 Transistor
      • Can withstand 190V+
    • 74141 BCD to decimal decoder IC
      • Rated only for 70V, but works because of the two diodes on the output
    • K155ID1
      • Still plenty available, cheap, and recommended
    • ULN2003
      • Zener Clamps to 50V, tested as possible in a project from the EEVBlog

    Source: "Tube of the week: Nixie Tubes" (from reddit, r/diytubes)

    • Korg Corporation’s NuTube
      • Vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) turned triode
      • Introduced in 2016
    • Typical Nixie tube
      • Contains an anode and ten cathodes
      • Power is applied between anode and the selected cathode
      • Gas (usually neon) immediately surrounding the cathode glows and illuminates its shape
      • Do not rely on thermionic emission and have no heater
      • Typical operating conditions:
        • Anode voltage ~ 170Vdc
        • Anode current ~ 2-10mA
        • Maximum voltage typically 200-250Vdc (higher voltages shorten tube life)
        • Specialized sockets required
    • /u/motorhead256’s nixie clock
    • /u/Kakkun’s Hyperion nixie clock
    • /u/daliborfarny’s nixie tubes and clocks
    • Trivia: Variants of the basic NIXIE
      • Used Neon gas with a small amount of mercury to increase the tube’s life
      • Little droplets of mercury can be seen inside the tube

    Source: "Best place to buy new nixie tubes? : r/arduino ..." (from web, www.reddit.com)

    • eBay
      • NOS is what you want
      • Do research on the type of tube you’re looking for, some are quite expensive
      • IN-18 are the nicest but $$, IN-14 similar but smaller and much cheaper
      • Most of these ship from the Eastern Block and take a long time to deliver
    • K155ID1 or SN74141 equivalent
      • Watch out where these ship from too

    Source: "The Art of Making a Nixie Tube" (from reddit, r/diytubes)

    • DIY Nixie Tubes
      • Super cool video showing how to make a Nixie tube clock
      • Replacing obsolete giant nixie tubes is possible
      • DIY tubes have become popular recently
      • DIY operations can be done consistently
    • NOS Nixie Tubes
      • NOS (New Old Stock) nixie tubes can be found
      • NOS tubes were pulled from old equipment
    • “The Art of Making a Nixie Tube” video
      • Video can be found at https://youtu.be/wxL4ElboiuA
      • Video was posted 4 years ago on Reddit and received 37 points
      • Video is about a guy who is following in the footsteps of another

    Source: "Best place to buy new nixie tubes?" (from reddit, r/arduino)

    • eBay
      • Look for sellers with a good amount of positive feedback
      • Search for “nixie tube NOS” (new, old stock)
    • tubehobby.com
      • Good prices and variety
    • allspectrum.com
      • New Old Stock in North America
    • Manufacturing?
      • No plans to manufacture for enthusiasts

    💭  Looking into

    What are the best Nixie tubes for DIY projects?