Middle digit intermittent

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rscott13
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:38 pm

Middle digit intermittent

Post by rscott13 »

I've noticed that the middle digit of my display occasionally goes dark. Tapping the enclosure will bring it back (sometimes takes more than one tap), but I'm worried that percussive maintenance may not always work. Is there a way to get a new tube without buying a new kit?

Rotzog
 
Posts: 106
Joined: Mon Nov 23, 2009 10:10 pm

Re: Middle digit intermittent

Post by Rotzog »

Have you checked your soldering?

Open up the case, and try tapping the solder joint on the end of the circuit board with a piece of plastic or wood (i.e. non-conductive). Try tapping other parts as well, to see if you can isolate the problem.

Beware of the high voltages involved.

rscott13
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:38 pm

Re: Middle digit intermittent

Post by rscott13 »

Thanks for the suggestions - tapping the main board, VFD driver, and the back of the tube board didn't appear to make a difference. Just to be sure, I re-soldered the tube connections.

One interesting thing is that if I rotate the clock along the tube axis into just the right place, I can make it much more sensitive to the tapping.

Hopefully, there's a means for getting just a tube and board - I dread trying to unsolder the tube without damaging the board!

Thanks,
Rob

adafruit
 
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Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2006 4:21 pm

Re: Middle digit intermittent

Post by adafruit »

if you're sure its s problem with the tube (and not say the socket or header)
email support@adafruit and request a new tube, header and round PCB
be sure to send a link to this thread

rscott13
 
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jan 23, 2010 8:38 pm

Re: Middle digit intermittent

Post by rscott13 »

I'm pretty sure it is the tube. I've re-seated the VFD driver in the socket, plugged and unplugged the connector multiple times. And the digit responds to a gentle tap on the tube itself.

Will send email - thanks!

Rob Scott

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