I have a nixie tester that I bought at a Goodwill store. There are several shopping channel type sites which sell something called a derma-wand. It is AC powered and has a glass tip filled with neon which women use on their faces to improve their complexion. It generates high frequency high voltage at a fairly low current. I have safely used it on the terminals end of a nixie to ionize all the gas inside which glows orange everywhere and instantly tells if the tube is outgassed. I paid about $8 for it and use it every time I get a new nixie. It comes in a carrying pouch and I have never destroyed a nixie using it. You should keep an eye out for one.
If your wife has one you should take it away from her and never allow her to use it again. It generates ozone which can destroy delicate facial skin and it should be banned from being advertised this way.
---------- Original Message ----------
From: Paolo Cravero <paolo.crav...@gmail.com>
Date: November 16, 2016 at 6:45 AM
Hello.Far from being an expert and I never troubleshoot these circuits. Yet.
Could I really have 2 bad tubes, that just happen to share a driver? Would all the digits fail?
I'm tempted to apply my neon sign tester to the tubes to see if they ionize, but I'm a bit fearful about damaging the clock.
So you have not tested the tubes if they're outgassed. Couldn't it be that they need a higher voltage to ionize? It was the case with a B5094 (symbol Nixie) that doesn't spring to life unless it sees to 210V, but it glows at the HVAC test.
If you disconnect the anode resistor and the whole board is left "floating" there should not be induced current and/or a closed circuit to be damaged. Unless your tester is very powerful: with mine I have to touch the glass to get the glow.
What is less risky? Higher voltage or the wireless neon sign tester?
Paolo
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