I am trying to figure out how to modify a library in order to implement a slot effect to prevent my NIXIE tubes from getting cathode poisoning.
I am not sure if this should be done on the library side or the Arduino code side. I am looking for some guidance on implementing this function and since I am fairly new to Arduino coding and C I am finding this quite difficult to implement.
This is the NIXIE Librayy that drives my tubes and modules: http://pan.baidu.com/s/1mgjYKU8
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank You
Yes I was reading that just prior to posting on here actually.
At the very bottom on the page it states this"
Exercise inactive cathodes (occasionally cycle the tubes through all cathodes).
This will keep cleaning the coating off before it becomes too thick.
Example- Nixie Clocks: Rotate the numbers like in a slot machine (a.k.a. one-armed bandit or fruit machine).
That is why I wanted to implement a slot effect, plus it looks cool! lol
Oh, you mean implement the VEGAS PROTOCOL....
Pyrex:
I am not sure if this should be done on the library side or the Arduino code side.
Haven't looked at the library in great detail (and the "manual" for the modules appears to be obscured from download), but it certainly does not look as if it would contain any code relevant to this purpose. Nor could it, as it is only called when you need to change the number displayed.
In particular, this is something that needs to be done from time to time in concert with whatever main program you are developing, something like a "screen saver" (which is in fact, exactly what it is) which kicks in when nothing is happening or in the case of a clock, as each minute passes. So it is clearly something you put in your main code, and should be pretty straightforward.
Something such as: take the current digit displayed, increment it and display that; wait 50 ms, repeat the increments and waits until the number would be what was first displayed and then display the new digit.