Neon bulb logic elements link?

[Tom Jennings]

On Wed, 25 May 2005, Eric Smith wrote:

> Tom wrote:
>> I think your idea is generally right, but this detail seems wrong:
>> when X goes from +7.5V to 0V, the entire line will see 105V,
>> striking the entire line.
>
> Nope.

I stand corrected!


> I wrote:
>> Will neon bulbs have reduced lifetime if you run them on DC?
>
> Tom wrote:
>> As far as I can tell from reading literature, basically the metal
>> electrodes develop non-conducting surfaces (eg. oxidation) from
>> impurities in and outgassing from the glass and metal.
>
> Chicago Miniature Lamp says that DC operating life is 60% of AC.
> However, the lifetime specs given for "circuit element" lamps (as
> opposed to "indicator") are for DC.

Ahh... the Nixie lit explicitly talks about element life. If one
element is held lit for long term you get a limited life; if it
varies as much as once a day life dramatially increases. I think
for memory purposes we'd be safe...

I think the numbers were "short" life 10K hours, "long" 100K hours.

I bet it's also dependent on current.

app note here:

http://wps.com/archives/Burroughs/index.html

I think paper N102.