OK. I found nixie modules. On uk ebay they go for £40 each. On USA shop they go for $35, then customs taxes etc. I guess its easier buy it on ebay... Then tubes £6 each. Then Adruino. After this i found a code that converts resistance to temperature that needs to be programmed. Then would need thermistor plugged to Andruino and squeezed between cpu and coller tadiator. Lot of work and around £120 of total costs. But those nixies...
Okiedokie. Here's how it works. Basically nixie tubes are high voltage (low amperage) neon tubes. They have 11 to 13 pins: one common GND, ten pins for 0-9 and perhaps one to two pins for decimal points (before or after the number, occasionally both). So what you need is: - a 12V to (about) 260V converter to feed the nixie tubes - a circuit interface that drives the tubes (converting data for a ten-pin interface). - another circuit or Arduino that generates the data. The circuit that converts 4-pin BCD data into a decade (ten-pin) output needs to handle the high voltage. As it happens, there is a little IC in a dip 16 package designed specifically for that purpose, called the K155ID1 (Russian model, not made anymore but still available on the surplus market) or the 74141 (US model) BCD-to-Decade converter. Most circuits are based on those ICs. What you probably want is the Arduinix shield which clips onto a standard Arduino Uno and will connect straight to up to six nixie tubes. It includes the voltage converter as well so that's another thing you don't have to worry about. Just write a script and presto!
I have no idea what you're saying, but I like it! Sorry, electronics isn't my best side, it isn't at all to be honest What you're saying is, I could mount those tubes myself building substitude of those modules? Would it be cheaper than £40 per module?
Depends on the number of tubes. The tubes in question take sockets, which will make building into the case easier --you don't have to make your own PCB for them. If you buy an Arduinix it is simply a matter of putting the kit together, clipping it onto the Arduino and wiring up the tubes. Then of course you have to write a script for the Arduino to sense the temperature and send the values to the Arduinix in the required format. If you decide to use just two tubes for temperature, you may as well buy two modules. Anything above that and I'd start considering the Arduinix.
Yes, I would only use 2 tubes. So would need to get those 2 modules and tubes, then Arduino UNO and thermistor. Thing is I don't know how to write scripts, so buying all that bits spending over £100 is a bit risky I cannot find anything/anyone who managed to get it working like that. Another idea hanging in the air, too scary to do it EDIT: ordering modules from China would cost around £45, so 2x cheaper...
It's very doable, you just have to learn to write scripts! Start at the Arduino web page and learn to write some simple code on an Arduino. There are several websites that are helpful, including Modkit and Fritzing, both of which have apps for easy programming and circuit design. Fritzing also has many example projects.
Ha Now, when I'm planning my Phinix Retro mod, this subject is back up I think I'm going to order those modules from China, will cost me £55, not £80 if I ordered it from UK ebay. Then will get two of these chinese nixies and Arduino. By the way, I can buy this compatible version, no need for original Arduino, right? Now, what kind of thermistor would I need? Would something like this be ok? It says it's 50K Ohm, or could go with 10K version? EDIT: sorry, just saw in this code for Arduino, that this guys used 10K thermistor. Does it mean this 10K I linked above would be fine? Well, I did it! I ordered 2 Nixie tubes, 2 modules and that Arduino It's happening! Nexxo, I'm going to need your help with this
IT IS DONE! Works and is AWESOME!!! Thanks to forum member septillion on Arduino forum who helped me (wrote the whole code) for geting cpu temps from CoreTemp+coretempModule+arduino code for nixie modules - it works perfectly! Here are the photos. I bought 2 modules, two nixie tubes, some jump wires and here it is! One of the tubes looks like is a bit dimmed, it could be power issue, not enough power from USB, don't know yet, need to investigate.
Kick butt. Any buzzing or whistling? I'd love to get into these, but if there's any annoying aspect, they'll end up just being switched off all the time. Dim: Is it maybe from the order they are plugged together?
Thanks guys - this is really awesome stuff. No sounds at all, all silent. Problem is that USB 5V isn't stable, so need to give them 5V from PSU, I will do that simply from PSU molex plug, wiring 5V directly to modules.
I've always been tempted by nixies. It might be a good idea for me to get hold of some while they aren't too expensive.
Nexxo's Project How are you interfacing with the nixie boards, phinix? I presume you have an arduino of some sort. My guess would be that the boards run off of a pseudo-spi interface (clock, data and strobe).
I know NExxo's project, I just haven't seen that coming Cool Please see the photos and my comments above
Wow, very nice idea... I would love to try them to on my newly built pc... keep posting some info guys.. specially the things needed..
