[sdiy] Tubes in Synths [ was : Harry's Nightmare! ]

[John L Marshall]

NE-58's are neon lamps. The black dot only means that the bulb is gas
filled; neon, argon, etc. The NE-58 is sometimes identified as an F4A by GE,
candelabra socket, T-4-1/2 outline, circuit voltage 210-250 volts, nominal
current 2.0 mA, nominal power dissipation of 500 mW. The ballast resistor is
built-in. The electrodes together look like a hat.

The NE-2 by comparison is rated for a nominal current of 500 uA and a power
dissipation of 60 mW with no ballast resistor.

A mild radioactive additives are added to reduce the dark effect; firing
voltage becomes high and erratic.

I am using neon lamps in some of my synthesizer modules. The power supply
for the neon lamps uses six *zero* tubes; 0A3 and 0D3. I love the glow the
tubes give off.

John


----- Original Message -----
From: alex dickey <perpetual at uswest.net>
To: <synth-diy at dropmix.xs4all.nl>
Sent: Thursday, November 08, 2001 11:33 AM
Subject: Re: [sdiy] Tubes in Synths [ was : Harry's Nightmare! ]


>
> > On a related note, I found a schematic for an old tube opamp which
> > is I think one of the first packaged opamps made.
> > http://www.themusic.net/schematics/tube-opamp.gif
>
> can someone fill me in on what the NE-58's are?  i've never seen that
> symbol before.
>
> thanks,
> alex