My obscure interest: Vacuum Fluorescent Displays

[neocyke]

Thanks for the tip Opcom. Looks like I've got a good deal to learn about VFDs. Really interesting tech these.. We'll see soon how I get on..

[Kiwick]

i have the VFD module from a wrecked Pioneer CT-F600 cassette deck, i'd like to use it as a VUmeter in a small portable PA amp i'm building, would it be possible to use this module with the 12 volts supply available in the amp?

[mbates14]

Yes, you should be able to. However, I dont know if it requires DC rectification and time constant beforehand. I think it does. But you still need to supply a proper filament voltage. Usually 5V with a dropping resistor will suffice, but even brightness will be a factor.

[Visual]

Originally Posted by packrat79

Somewhere in my parts pile, I have a rather large VFD from an old satellite receiver (I think), it's about 8" long and has roughly 10 or 12 grids of pixels (10 x 15 each or something like that) that can be used to spell out letters, numbers etc. Sort of like a small marquee sign, but it's VFD instead of LED / LCD. I bet you'd have fun with it! Make me a good offer and it's yours......

[Visual]

http://audioidiots.com/Sony/brochure...oot/p005i1.jpghttp://audioidiots.com/afbeelding.groot.php?itemID=6451http://audioidiots.com/afbeelding.groot.php?itemID=3752http://audioidiots.com/Sony/diversen...3-22-07-08.jpghttp://audioidiots.com/Sony/diversen...6-20-37-18.jpghttp://audioidiots.com/afbeelding.groot.php?itemID=6421http://audioidiots.com/afbeelding.groot.php?itemID=6686

[mbates14]

oooooo purtyfull.

[mbates14]

Another thing I want to note, is Noritake now has a shopping e-commerce site setup for sales and Also, they offer free samples on a couple of their products.

They have a few selections for cheap discount prices if your into development for microcontrollers, or arduino, etc.. They offer the C libraries for their 7000 series for arduino. They are also running a special for 50% off on their modules. This is by no means an advertisement or sales promotion, Its just something I found awesome that they are doing. Thats all.

[Visual]

vcr is victor hr-z1http://bokenasu.oops.jp/junk/z1/z1.htm

[Visual]

i DONT know were COME from your is, mbates14 but here some USA locations of FUTABA http://goo.gl/maps/uRzcb
http://www.futaba.com/corporate/locations/index.asp
GOOD TRIP

[mbates14]

Speaking of fluke and futaba, I need to find a replacement VFD for my fluke 45 benchtop. They are long since discontinued.

[ChopperChas]

Hey, since you're the VFD master, maybe you can help me with my Pioneer CT-F850. My VFD is completely blank. It was working before the cassette deck was shipped to me, but is not working now. Here's the service manual: http://www.hifiengine.com/manual_lib.../ct-f850.shtml


I've taken some readings from the chips, board, and fluoroscan meter itself.

First off, there are two wires marked 3v AC on the board. Those measure at 1.3v AC between them. They are fed from the power supply board, and measure 1.3v there as well.

The display reads 1.3v AC between pins 1 and 33.
I'm also getting 15v DC (B+) at pins 3, 5, 18, and 32. (measured to the pin marked ground on the board that the display is soldered to)

On the chips, I'm getting 1.25v DC on pin 1, and 15v DC on pin 9. Everything except pin 18 is zero. Pin 18 is roughly 2.4v DC. (The voltage to this pin is adjusted via the VU meter level trimpots)

Any idea what's wrong with this thing? Something took a hit during shipping, but what could cause this?

Basically, if it's an easy fix, I'd like to keep the deck. If the VFD is toast, I'll return it.

Charles.

[N2IXK]

If I am reading the diagram properly, it looks like the VFD filament comes from the dial lamp winding on the power transformer via a resistor network consisting of R650-R653. Check these for opens/off value. You want to see 3VAC across the ends of the filaments, and you have less than half that. Does the unit otherwise work? Did the unit get shifted into 240V power settings, perhaps?

[ChopperChas]

Yeah, the unit otherwise works, and there's no 120/240 switch on this unit. I've checked the transformer winding outputs and they're the correct voltage. I'll try disconnecting the wires from the VFD and see if they read the proper voltage then. Maybe the 1.3v is because of the load of the VFD. If the VFD cracked or leaked somehow would it still draw current even though nothing is displayed?

I'm assuming supplying 5v DC to the filaments for a second or so wouldn't be a good idea. I don't really have an AC power source that I can generate to test otherwise.

Hmm, I do have another cassette deck that I can temporarily swap the VFD out of. I can try that too.

Charles.

[ChopperChas]

7.2v AC on the transformer windings, 6.2v AC on the supply to the filament, with the filament supply wiring detached from the filament board. Will take apart the other cassette deck shortly.

Charles.

[ChopperChas]

Well nevermind, the VFD is broken, the glass nodule on the back is cracked clean through and there's no vacuum left inside. That's why it's not working.

Charles.