[Test-Equipment] Nixie project

[J. Forster]

Two things can cause the Nixies not to work. Loss of filler gas and loss
or pre-ionizing radiation due to radioactive decay over time.

Background radioactivity has little to do with it.

You can sometimes get them to work by shining light into them as this
causes photo-ionization. You can sometimes see this with pilot light neons
that are dark when the room is dark and light up when the room lights are
turned on.

Best,

John

============



> I have been working on a Nixie clock and when I first plugged in the 6 old
> nixies that I had only two of them would work.  I have had the clock
> running
> for a few days and now 5 out of the 6 nixies are working.  I remember
> reading somewhere that they need "radiation ionization" to operate and
> wonder if this comes from normal background radiation.  These tubes have
> been in the junk box for years.
>
>
>
> 73,
>
>
>
> Bill, WA2dvu
>
>
>
>
>
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