neon indicators

[Harry Bissell]

1) neon bulbs are high voltage...  (been said..)
2) They have limited life compared to LED  (like 5000-10,000 hours) This
is
excellent compared to incandescents, but LEDs have 100,000 hour life and
they
are just 1/2 as bright at that point... not dead. They may outlive you
???
3) Neon bulbs only have one pole light up on DC... and that causes
excessive wear
on one electrode... life is reduced (except special designed for DC
units...)
4) Neons trigger voltage varies with ambient light, except for those
with radioisotope
doping...
5) Neons need a ballast resistor because they have a region of negative
resistance... OTOH, LEDs need a current limited supply also...

There is no reason you CAN'T use neons... but their time has largely
passed. If you want
a retro-thing... USE them. Don't worry about the "poke" from the high
voltage. ALL
synths are dangerous. Just ask any DIY'er on his third wife....  ;^)

H^) harry

Ken MacBeth wrote:

> I'm really getting into the idea of using neon
> indicators on a project or even lamps instead of leds.
> Only problem is I don't know how to apply them
> powerwise/ampwise in say an env. gen. or oscillator.
> Any ideas? has anyone used neons/lamps before?
> All the best to everyone, Ken....
>
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