The NIXIE Tube, and How To Use Them

Join Paul in the lab as he explains how a Nixie tube works. This is the first video in this series on how to build a Nixie tube frequency counter from scratch.
How Binary Logic Works: • How Binary Logic Works...
Part 2 of this series:
• The Crystal Oscillator...

[@kengamble8595]

With so many youtubers that THINK they are teachers, I'm glad to find one that truly is a teacher ! Please don't let some of these commenters get you to change the way you communicate the information to us ! I believe the majority of us need your way to hold our interest and go on from there. Subed and looking forward to next installment, thank you sir !

[@JamesHalfHorse]

I only wish the technology that makes distance learning like this was available when I was a kid. Paul and his teaching methods reminds me a lot of my mentors/elmers I have had along the way though and am glad to of had them when I did.

[@orange70383]

You sir have a talent for teaching that I've found to be quite rare. Thank You'

[@GrandsonofKong]

DITTO!!!

[@ElectronicsAustralia]

Ditto as well! Awesome stuff!

[@Coffeeology]

I assumed he was a high school teacher.

[@unlokia]

orange70383 Yes he does. Makes "EEVblog" look like kindergarten for angry simpletons. The calm, gentle and thorough explanations minus ANY "opinions" or superfluous nonsense, is why Mr Carlson reigns supreme.

[@psient]

Dave is great in being benign about newcomers. Expressive and loudly proclaiming his fun. Mr. Carlson takes it like a stream of happening, a true problem solver for us new comers!!

[@CanDoo321]

I really enjoy the simplicity and teaching aspects of this video.

[@Flapjackbatter]

Yes it's all very clear and to the point. He stays on top of things all the time. Unlike some electronics engineers here on youtube, who is currently enjoying a nice Reagenesque slide into dementia, and is goofing up here and there. : ) Can anyone quess who I'm talking about?

[@Flapjackbatter]

No, no. Dave Jones is sharp as f. Im talking about an elderly American electronics engineer that was in the US millitary. Served in Vietnam. Do you understand now ? He seriouslly has a video out where he wrongly explain how LC circuits works. I informed him polightly that he was wrong and was blocked. Oh what the hell. I'll just say it. It's AllAmericanFiveRadio

[@Fireship1]

Mr. Carlson's Lab? More like Mr. Carlson's EMPIRE! You have a very impressive collection of equipment and knowledge. Great videos and explanations. Thanks for sharing!

[@gregorywest2029]

Great video Paul, you just gave me a solution for a problem I have with the old IC in a Freq. Difference Meter. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Keep them comming, Greg

[@RadioWhisperer]

As always a big thumbs up. I just found you channel a month ago and I'm enjoying every minute. Thank you for what you do.

[@cassvirgillo3395]

Hi Paul, Great explanation of the Nixie Tubes. Hope all is good. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge and experience. Happy Summer, C.

[@78trav]

I'm looking forward to the next episode. Great video as always Paul!

[@MichaelLloyd]

Perfect! I really liked the calculation info for the base resistor. I'd like to see more of that

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your input Mike...and 9 others.

[@jwl9286]

Again, you rock! So clear, so precise, so interesting! I learned a great deal of this at believe it or not the National Radio Institute. Used some of it on occasion but in the plug and play world allowed much of it to fade away! You are a class of your own. Thanks for taking the time to do these video's! I love them. Included are your video and editing the techniques. Wonderfully assembled. Cecil B. Demille would be envious!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment!

[@coffdrops69]

Excellent video. You make the theory very easy to follow and understand - thank you. Looking forward to the next installment.

[@jose_simon]

It's videos like this that make the tubes' community still alive! Thanks!

[@cosmicmatrix6238]

clear, concise, easy to understand. THANKS!

[@TheRadioShop]

This will be a great series Paul. I love Nixie tubes and would like to build a counter. Great explanation on how to tube the different elements on. A project such as this would be great for folks to learn on. Thanks for the video and big thumbs up.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Buddy! Glad you stopped by.

[@TheRadioShop]

:-) will be waiting on the next one

[@harveyellis6758]

Great video! I designed and built a Nixie based 24 hour clock (with seconds display) about 30 years ago. They were old school even back then :-). Good to see the technology still generates interest.

[@juntistik]

Fantastic video, looking forward to the next :D

[@hiworx]

Wow! Lots of information revealed in a single video; current limiting, the principles of transistors, Nixie tubes and ICs. I liked the way you explain the math behind current limiting. That's a great video for a beginner like me. Thanks.

[@lucrainville9864]

Your lab is so impressive !

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Luc!

[@tectalabyss]

Hello Paul. Thank you so much for this awesome series. I am looking forward to each and every video. All my very best. Bobby

[@LearnElectronicsCanada]

I'm with you on this. I have a bunch of the Russian IN-12A's IN-2's and such lying around which I'll finally get a chance to do something with. I also a a set of the Russian Ceramic Military Grade chips you are referring to but I'm more likely to follow along and use the easier replaceable components. Nice job on this one - great idea. I'm looking forward to the series.

[@harindugamlath]

Wow! Thank you very much for starting this project. Here is a promise, After you finish the series I'll definitely use Nixie tubes in the build that I'm planning to do. Will send the photos of the finished thing. Many thanks!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed Harindu!

[@g0fvt]

Excellent video as always!

[@cristrigotti9933]

Paul, Great video. You are very easy to learn from. Your videos are the best.

[@kippyjohnson]

more videos! this is by far my favorite channel.

[@unlokia]

kippyjohnson Also mine. What a guy!!

[@AlmarJohansen]

very educational video! You are a very gifted teacher

[@WaybackTECH]

Very informative. Looking forward to this series!

[@bwack]

Well explained. I sent the link to this video to a friend because you explain it so much better than I can do myself. :)

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I hope your friend understands :^)

[@andredevilliers0]

Hi there Paul, thank you for all the great videos. You are like a pro when it comes to teaching. This is the best channel to learn from simple to complicated electronics. I can see you know what you are talking about. Respect. Regards from South Africa.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Andre! Glad your enjoying the channel.

[@dinosworkshop6870]

This is like a classroom. I do not think I have ever heard a finer explanation of resistor value computation.A really top quality video. Thanks from all us viewers!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@badass4226]

Mr Carlson, I love all your video. Thank you. I learn a lot just watching. I hope you have a lot more coming .

[@ver64]

Excellent information, Thank you for taking the time to put this awesome videos.

[@KingNast]

Very well explained! Time to find the box of nixies I bought 10 years ago and finally do something with them.

[@bundylovess]

Thanks mr Carlson looking forward to the next video Big thumbs up

[@OnEvenKeel]

So excited about a build series!

[@skycarl]

Thanks Paul, going to enjoy this series. Would love to have a schem of this board. Thank you again pal. Carl

[@pkplexing]

Nice, I look forward to the rest of the series :)

[@koffibanan3099]

I really love your thorough explanations! Including the math is always great!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Koffi!

[@audiotechlabs4650]

I must say this a very ambitious series. I have always enjoyed and learned from your videos. Right now, since I am a working guitar player, my focus is on tube guitar amps. I have seen your videos on tube amp and they were great. In the future, if you have the interest, a series on a tube amp build would be of great help to me and others. Thank you for sharing, your vast knowledge of electronics. Thankz

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your comment!

[@Reuben1024]

Really enjoying this Paul, looking forward to the rest of this series, and yes Nixie tester diagram would be appreciated

[@mdrew44628]

awesome job explaining everything.....I can't wait to explore your other videos

[@dennissmithjr.5370]

Loved the video, I am a novice in electronics and this was very cool to learn about. Don't think I am ready to mess around with NIXIE tubes just yet. Thanks for sharing.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Your welcome Dennis!

[@larryk4mu240]

Hi Paul, Bravo, excellent video. Looking forward to the others. 73

[@MrBanzoid]

Very informative video. Thanks very much for the simple maths for calculating hard turn on. I wish some of my lecturers were as good as you!

[@JennyEverywhere]

I always learn so much from your videos!

[@mrjohhhnnnyyy5797]

Your vids are pure gold! I'm addicted to them now :) And yeah, I was thinking about making nixie counter but decided to use VFD's. Nixies are very popular, giving sellers excuse to put bizarre price tags on them.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks John!

[@portalmaster555]

This was highly informative, thank you!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

You're so welcome!

[@BlackAdder4Ever]

Thank you for this video. Very informative, says all that needs to be said. I hope for a followup video focused on a proper design of stable 170V source.

[@Daniel-ib5bx]

Awesome video! Cant wait to see the other parts

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Daniel!

[@radiotinkeringnut778]

Thank you so much for all the Videos. I really enjoy them and learn a ton.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Your welcome!

[@StealthParrot]

That was excellent Mr C. I understand exactly how this works but I'd like to see the schematic if you have time for it in the next video. Awesome as always!

[@CharlieTechie]

A good video again, looking forward to part 2.

[@powersonic6255]

Thumbs up , Thank you for the theory behind this old tech Nixie Tubes .

[@macadamia1966]

Nice multimeter! Excellent intro to nixie tubes. Thank you!

[@spoonnz]

Loved it, Thanks Mr Carlson.

[@hydrolisk1792]

Thank you for this upload!! This is greatly appreciated :)

[@daytonaflorida2247]

Mr. Carlson, I think a lot of us who enjoy your videos would really appreciate a video on your educational background and how you became so knowledgeable. I have a Doctorate and have been in my Profession 35 years and doubt I know as much about my field as you do about yours. I just think a lot of us would be very interested in how you learned everything you demonstrate in these videos.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

I may do a "Bio" some day down the road. I "personally" find electronics much more interesting to talk about :^) Thanks for your kind comment!

[@swinde]

Nixies are cool. I have two instruments from the Heathkit company that use nixies. IM-1002 digital voltmeter, 3 and one half digit display. The half digit is acquired using an NE-2H lamp. The other is IB-1102 which is an eight digit frequency counter that measures from one Hertz to 120 MHz . They were purchased in kit form in approximately 1974. Both still function beautifully. All of the digits are still bright. 42 years and going strong. I did have to repair them a couple of times, but Heath's manuals are superb.

[@GADELHAS82]

WoW. This was just in time. I'm going to do a project with nixies!!! Thanks!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Great!

[@TheRangerDale]

Real Good Paul, interesting and yes can't wait till the next Flick series. Thanks for your efforts and time 73's Paul

[@dave1812]

Cool Video. Looking forward to the Next Epsiode. You're a Great Teacher, thanks for sharing your Knowledge, I really enjoy watching your Videos.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Dave!

[@OnHoldAt50]

Great presentation. In one video, you've convinced an expert electronics technician to subscribe to your channel. That's tough to do. Congratulations.

[@CytotoxicDingus]

Subbed! I like that you're very thorough. I'm in the middle of making a schematic in Eagle for a nixie clock, so I'll be waiting for the next video!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

All three video's are available under the "show more" Tab, or search my video's list. I have another video in progress right now.

[@unlokia]

MJJMK Being thorough is a talent that most are lacking.

[@CytotoxicDingus]

unlokia Haha thanks for your input bud.

[@CytotoxicDingus]

unlokia honestly I went though all the videos on his chanel, but the title of part 2 kind of threw me off

[@BryanByTheSea]

Great video. Thank you very much.

[@MrUbiquitousTech]

That's a cool tube. Looking forward to the next parts; since I'm joining late they're already there for me. :)

[@henrygallego4698]

Great video! Keep up with the math too. For me, it is never redundant or boring.

[@BrokebackBob]

Excellent learning episode as always. The Gold Standard.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Bob!

[@TRXLab]

First class video Paul! Thanks for sharing! 73

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Peter!

[@tm80notgoodwithnames58]

Great episode as always! I just got the solution for nixie clock driving, Thank you :D now just designing a board for it.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed! You should post a video when your done.

[@tm80notgoodwithnames58]

yeah, it will probaly take some time but maybe in next winter :D and have to think how I will do that digital clock side. I will probaly post somecind of video then

[@pumppingiron]

Nice bench set-up!

[@Pwaak]

Very interesting and excellent lesson! Yes, please show the schematic. Thank You!

[@VintageLabSilvioPinheiro]

Please Paul, make some kits with this an take all my money !! Thanks for sharing ...

[@PeterEdin]

I agree. If Paul made a Nixie tube kit I'd buy one.

[@do3491]

Great video!

[@wadehicks9270]

Good info Mr Carson.

[@elanora-rp6eg]

Excellent video I would really like to thank you for your time and effort , I suspect i will not get much sleep tonight after finding your channel.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad your enjoying the channel Elanora!

[@oscarrobles5994]

Nice job on the detailed visual explanation. I know there are many places that sell Nixie tube desktop clocks but I want to build one from scratch using an old Analogic AN2534 Voltmeter unit. It has 4 Nixie tubes plus the high voltage source. Now that you showed me how to drive the Nixie tubes I will just disconnect the voltmeter driver section and feed in my own circuit (basically a Silicon Labs Busy Bee Microcontroller which will multiplex four CD4028 BCD drivers). In order to make this compact I'm using OnSemi's MSD42WT1G NPNs (in a surface mount SC-70 package) > 32 transistors should do it for a 4-digit 12hour clock.

[@mikesradiorepair]

Got a new box of 100 tubes somewhere. Going to have to dust them off and build one. Been looking for a good project for them. Great job on the explanation. Looking forward to the future episodes. Mike

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Mike!

[@AlexanderBrevig]

You are a fantastic lecturer!

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your kind comment Alexander!

[@JamesHalfHorse]

Probably one for Patreon once I figure that out. I love indicators of all kinds. I can sit and watch old school VU meters move for hours. Nixies are one of my favorites and built a couple of clock kits. I would like to build the frequency counter as well but I am also fascinated by the magic eye tubes. I would love to see a standalone project (or one that could be added to the counter) that could be use for tuning or signal strength.

[@jeffsansoterra7743]

great video! Thank you!

[@davecc0000]

Thank you Mr. C especially for the math. "Teach a man to fish" a resistor and he can calculate one for any number of applications.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Glad you enjoyed Dave!

[@TMS5100]

GLORIOUS!

[@FozziesRandomReviews]

Very clear and informative with the maths. Perfect to understand for a first year engineering student. Just gained a subscriber! Keep it up. Would love to know your favourite way to supply the 120 ish volts needed without hooking it up to an external supply.

[@evelarrythomas3521]

Paul, I can remember when digital instruments and calculators first came out. These used nixie tubes for their digital displays. (I guess I am dating myself) Anyway, nixie tubes have always had a definite "cool factor" in my opinion. A couple few years ago, I decided to design a nixie tube clock. After considering a couple different design approaches, I decided to make use of the very low cost Arduino UNO as a computing platform and design a 6-digit nixie display that would interface to the UNO. The circuit I designed utilizes a 12 volt AC input from a 1-amp Plug-in wall transformer. The use of low voltage AC power allowed an easy way to produce the needed high voltage for the nixie tubes (using a transformer), low voltage DC to run the UNO and other logic, and also provide a reliable 60 Hz time base for time keeping. I developed a PC board for all the circuitry, interface to the UNO, and a long 64 bit shift register which drives the individual elements in 6 nixie tubes plus decimal points in 3 of the nixies. I chose to use the IN-8-2 nixies (from Russia) as they are a nice size, have a decimal point, and feature distinctive "2" and "5". I also incorporated some additional features on the board - a power relay, speaker, potentiometer, temperature sensor, and several switch inputs. The UNO program I wrote runs the 6-digit display as a clock with added date and timing functions. I still have a couple of unused PC boards and would be happy to send you one at no cost. Might make for an interesting video. Let me know if you are interested.

[@esnam6557]

Thank you very much for the video and looking for the next episodes. It would be great to have the schematic of the circuit.

[@jonathanagnew9291]

hi liked the video , I would like to see more videos on tube equipment as the subject is quite interesting , keep it up.

[@nubowner1]

Great video. You can get creative and control a bunch of tubes with only 3 mcu pins (well 4 if you include ground) by using shift registers(which are easily daisy chained) to drive the BCD to decimal converters. You could use shift registers directly, but most only have 8 outputs, not 10 and if u want to use an mcu's hardware spi peripheral (as opposed to bit banging), most of those send data by the byte.

[@sficlassic]

Great video. I can't wait for the next one. I do have a question though, could you use a fet instead of a transistor?

[@mal2ksc]

You give engaging and informative lectures. You deserve a bigger whiteboard, or at least something you can flip over.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Scott!

[@bigbunn833]

He is so smart and his teaching skills is second to NO BODY!

[@joernone]

Paul, I actually understood all of it. You've achieved a quantum breakthrough in my gray matter. Congrats, my friend. Regards, John

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

LOL, Glad you enjoyed John!

[@willhelmx8388]

Paul, now ivé been watching several of your videos, great content, ivé also recommended several guy´s your channel for educational purposes, and the reponse is all thumbs up :-)) - Great work. -- One thing they all ask me is how does one signaltrace fx. a radio repair, how do i use a oscilloscope for determining a faulty generator, if i have a electronic device of some sort, how do i start investigating the problem etc etc, ..can you consider doing some videos in the future about the practical use of scopes, sig. generators, multimeters, etc Great work /W

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks for your input.

[@CNKayutube]

well I just checked and no nixie fairy leaving any tubes under my pillow😭 can we build a cap tester next with that cats eye or a vu meter next😉 still so fun to watch. I don't even have big enough bread boards oh my!! awesome vid as usual

[@materialsguy2002]

Paul, if this were baseball you would be batting 1000. Great topic and another excellent video. I would certainly like to see the schematic for the Nixie driver unit. Thanks.

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Shaun!

[@atbglenn]

Great video Paul. I own a nixie tube clock that uses large Philips ZM1040 nixies. I've had it since 2003. I know that nixies eventually succumb to cathode poisoning. So far mine hasn't. I do rotate the tubes every 3 months. That probably has something to do with it.

[@berniken6511]

Hi Paul, I loved the nixie video. I have not used them before although I am used to tube circuitry. You mention in the video about showing the schematic for the frequency counter, I would like that thank you. I look forward to your video No.2................Berni

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks Berni!

[@W1RMD]

Those look like 1N16's. The digits look big, but that could be the camera angle. Nice looking tubes!

[@fredfabris7187]

I like the math! I actually kinda hate doing the math but it fills in gaps and reveals the magic of electronics! Thanks for including it

[@Satchmoeddie]

Would you like a NIXIE from the last nuclear generating station built in the USA? Reply, and I can PM you. A salvage place bought up 1000s of Nixies when GE changed the control panel designs mid project. One of the scariest things you could hear in the 1970s, was two nuclear power plant technician's discussing how nicely the glass top control panels worked for snorting cocaine. Then upon closer inspection you can see cocaine on the glass panel. It was the 1970s, and workplace drug testing was unheard of outside the military & Vietnam.

[@jeffreyhill4695]

I want some! I need 14 either 14s 18s or ones ( front faceing)

[@alpagutsencer]

Hi man ! Please make much more videos. Like to watch you :)

[@MrCarlsonsLab]

Thanks!

[@glenngoodale1709]

Looking really great 😂