23 ms·
VFD Displays
- frankfrank13 4y agoIdk how I never knew it was phosphorus that made these work, but GOD it makes it so much cooler. Like somehow a fake digital display done chemically is that much cooler than what we have now.
- jareklupinski 4y agoMaintaining an AC signal strong enough to drive the filament seems to be a tough goal. Most solutions I've seen hacked together a small audio amplifier to push and pull the electrons; I've resigned to just using a step-down transformer since I'm driving my VFD designs from mains anyway. Would love to hear alternatives! I've also seen the listings for cool displays on ebay dry up lately? A few years ago I could find a selection of older/NOS stereo VFDs in a number of arrangements, but lately it's been just generic 20x4 POS displays and the odd nixie...
- kjs3 4y agoWhy wouldn't you just use one of the many chips designed to run VFDs, like the MAX692x series, or even a couple of SN74141s? VFDs on eBay seem hit-and-miss. Some days there's a variety; some days it's just basic stuff. If it's something really unusual, grab it because once it's gone there may not be any left.
- jareklupinski 4y agoThose chips are great for switching the segments on and off; my trouble is with the (ideally AC) supply for the filament. Others have had success https://kevinrye.net/index_files/vfd_ac_filament_driver_v11.php https://kevinrye.net/index_files/vfd_ac_filament_driver_v11.... but somehow I have trouble replicating their schematics...
- kjs3 4y agoGotcha. My bad...I didn't fully understand the issue you are working.