Frustrated! Where do I find a datasheet for this "light" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: Andy-In_over_my_head
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:05:47 am
content: I'm trying to learn a lot in a short time... it gets frustrating...More so that I still have a lot of equipment I've purchased that I don't know how to operate.Anyways, this damn light... not like any of my other lights, but I pulled it out of a circuit board...I'm sure I'm looking incorrectly... so what do I search for to get data to learn these things and why they were hidden inside a box...Thanks in advance!*PHOTO ATTACHED*

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:21:52 am
content: What circuit board was that? What makes you think they are "lights"? The photos are extremely blurry. The important part about any component is markings, and the ones in your photo are unreadable.They possibly look like neon lamps, in which case you probably don't want to "operate" them, they need a high voltage source. And they are often used for things other than indication (as spark gaps, for example).EDIT:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_lamp

author: Andy-In_over_my_head
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:29:51 am
content: Quote from: ataradov on December 15, 2016, 06:21:52 amThats super helpful.. I apologize about the blurry quality.. the phone was being a pain with the focusing through the glass.... I thought the one on the right was legible but maybe not after the couple programs it went through...But they were in a DC to AC amplifier for an automobile... I felt I would enjoy tearing it apart more then using it...I also tried to post right after what the markings are but it wouldn't let me... too soon...The markings are "242 T01K"I figured they could be used for a spark gap but why use a light and not some other more inexpensive option?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:36:12 am
content: Quote from: Andy-In_over_my_head on December 15, 2016, 06:29:51 amHow inexpensive? NE-2 style lamps can be bought from eBay for cents. And way cheaper for mass manufacturing.Why they were specifically used depend on the circuit. There are many other uses for neon bulb that can not be easily replicated otherwise.

author: Andy-In_over_my_head
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:47:32 am
content: How inexpensive? NE-2 style lamps can be bought from eBay for cents. And way cheaper for mass manufacturing.Why they were specifically used depend on the circuit. There are many other uses for neon bulb that can not be easily replicated otherwise.I spoke a little too quick.. I honestly did no research on price.. I couldn't even find the data sheets...I also don't know what the other options are... I just assumed there would be a cheaper alternative...Is it a bad idea to try and build something to light these up?

author: ataradov
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:50:30 am
content: The simplest circuit you can build with a neon lamp is a lamp and a 220K resistor in series. Stick that into 110 V mains and the lamp will light up.But I would not do that, since it involves mains voltage and there is very little to be gained from this experiment.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 06:52:20 am
content: Quote from: Andy-In_over_my_head on December 15, 2016, 06:47:32 amYes and no.Yes, in that it is easy to do.No, in that it involves mains voltage, and if you don't know what you are doing you should not be touching the mains.https://youtu.be/90r1RaSRqsA

author: neil t
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 07:54:26 am
content: Definitely neons reminds me of the old voltage tester 240v on one end of tester your thumb on the other end (dangerous concept) , I've also found them in cro power supply.cheap as chips. not really much to be learned, although when working on a power supply for oscilloscope tube just touching the glass of the neon increased the brightnessof the trace greatly.P.S playing with high voltage extremely dangerous.

author: Andy-In_over_my_head
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: December 15, 2016, 03:17:11 pm
content: I sincerely appreciate everyone's concern with mains...I have been vigorously studying and "playing" for about 10 weeks (I know it's just a blink to most of you in here... but 10 weeks of my personal time giving this 116% seems like I can go work for HP or Rigol or something.... as the janitor... if I'm lucky..) so I am well aware of the dangers of toying with mains..I usually hook up whatever I'm working on to mains when I just can't get it to work and am fed up... I like to watch it smoke and suffer...Those little springy hook thingy's don't like mains though.. the hook melts and then they're useless...But I know there is really no benefit or purpose to ignite this lamp except for me simply knowing I could do it and did do it...Then I'll most likely never use them again...

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 04:19:09 am
content: Here's something simple you can do with a neon bulb:http://www.oberlin.edu/physics/catalog/demonstrations/em/neonosc.htmlhttp://www.cliftonlaboratories.com/relaxation_oscillator.htmIn the days of valve(tube) portable radios,batteries producing 45v,67.5v & 90v were common.One fun thing was to build up one of these neon relaxation oscillators & hang it across a 90v batt.I seem to remember using a 67.5 v one,too,which is supposedly below the ne2 trigger point,but it's a very long time ago.The advantage of batteries with the above voltages were that,although they could give you a nasty "bite",the internal resistance limited the possible output current.I certainly wouldnotsource an appropriate voltage direct from the AC Mains.

author: IanB
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 04:24:29 am
content: You can get a pack of two 9 V batteries for $1 at the Dollar Tree store in the USA. So for $5 you can have yourself a 90 V battery (nearer 100 V when fresh). But it is still quite dangerous and not something to treat lightly.

author: SL4P
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 18, 2016, 08:26:54 am
content: Before you assume it's a neon, and plonk it across the mains with your finger or not...Measure the continuity of the two legs. A neon will measure as open circuit. if it shows some resistance, post it here, and we may guess at what voltage it's looking for.

author: vk6zgo
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: December 19, 2016, 10:27:01 am
content: Quote from: IanB on December 18, 2016, 04:24:29 amIn the valve portable days,thousands of people regularly changed 90v batteries in their portables,others handled them in stores,& during counter sales.Most such batteries needed a special plug, offering some protection,but some,like the Eveready 467 & 493 (Oz part numbers),had press stud terminals on top,allowing direct access to the "bities".Notwithstanding, the number of folks suffering dangerous shocks from such batteries was vanishingly small.Of course,back in those days,people came equipped witha functional brain.Nowadays,it almost seems that the Creator (if there be one) has outsourced the firmware & this is "no longer supported".The stacked 9v batteries may have a lower internal resistance than 1950s style 90v batteries,making them more hazardous.Clipping them together in the manner usually shown on the Internet is certainly a lot less mechanically secure than a "purpose made" battery,so you might get "zapped" whilst trying to keep the thing from falling apart.