I’m starting with this post the description of a new project, project that comes from a request by my friend Marco, who builds spectacular custom cases for PCs: build a thermometer to measure the temperature of a CPU liquid cooler and display it using nixie tubes.
Instead of describing the final project, I had the idea to write different posts, like a diary or a build log to show also the way I approach and develop a medium complexity project like this.
Let’s start with the requirements:
[checklist]
- use of temperature sensors (10k thermistors) specific for liquid coolers
- display the temperature (without decimals) with two nixies
- use of a specific nixie tube to display the °C symbol
- use of nixie sockets, to be able to replace them in case of failure
- RGB leds under the tubes, whose colors can be changed using a push button
- round PCB, as small as possible
[/checklist]
First, you need to source all the components to build a test unit:
Marco sent me:
- two IN-14 nixie tubes and one IN-19A for the °C symbol
- a power supply module that outputs the required voltage (about 170V) to power on the tubes
- the K155ID1 ICs to drive the nixies and the sockets
- the temperature sensor, designed for liquid cooling systems
In the next articles, I’m going to start building the test unit… stay tuned!
What kind of power supply is that?
Hi! Almost all the power supplies designed for Nixies should work… I got that from eBay.