BargraphDriver

Bargraph Driver

For IN-13 / IN-9 Neon Tubes

Description

This is a small 21x24mm driver module PCB designed for a single IN-13 or IN-9 neon bargraph tube. It fits on a breadboard and multiple modules can be chained together with U-shaped headers. Each module has an 8-bit DAC with a fixed address, controlled via I2C. The potentiometer is used to adjust the maximum glow length. Here is four tubes acting as a (not very accurate) spectrum analyzer: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/-yOVEOMO8Xs

In the resources folder you will find the datasheet for the IN-13 as well as the font I used on the silkscreen. I have also included the BOM. I personally got all of the components from Mouser and the boards printed at OSHPark. To power the tubes I am using a NCH6300HV and to control them an Arduino UNO with this MCP47X6 library.

Notes

• The SDA pad is right next to the +150V one so watch out as to not accidentally short them while soldering.
• Although the MCP4706's datasheet says that there are eight available addresses, it seems that most electronic suppliers only stock the first four. In my case I had to use two I2C buses to drive as many tubes as I wanted to (and had to do two chains of four tubes).
• You need some sort of frame to hold the tubes in place. I recommend the use of large zip ties near the base to keep them straight.

Author

Zachary Laurin

Version History

• 1.0.0
  • Initial Release

License

This project is licensed under the GNU GPLv3 License - see the LICENSE.md file for details

Acknowledgments

Thanks a lot to the users of the Arduino, KiCad EDA and Nixie Tubes Discord servers as well as to the people of neonixie-l and the EEVblog forum for their help.