Author Topic: VFD help  (Read 3112 times)

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Offline ChipsetTopic starter

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VFD help
« on: June 16, 2012, 08:16:14 am »
So I pulled this VFD from a microwave oven some time ago, I really wanna use it for a project as a panel meter but I know fuck all about VFD's.
Here are some pictures,




As you can see it's an NEC display with a part number of FIP4J9A, however googling that just gets me a FIP selection document which details picking a FIP display for a product.
Looking through that document it appears my display is a semi-custom model, but I'm not sure.

All I really need to know is how to make it work, the back of it has a handy wiring schematic and from that and the document it's pretty apparent that this display needs to be multiplexed, which I would love some info on how to do.
I might point out that in the original board I took it from, it was wired directly into the pins of a giant 40 pin micro. Sadly I didn't keep the board.
Any info is appreciated, step by step instructions and a schematic even more so.
Thanks in advance.
 

Offline Psi

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Re: VFD help
« Reply #1 on: June 16, 2012, 08:36:59 am »
I don't know much about VFDs either but i got one to light up some segments once.

First you need to find the filament wires. (Those 3 thin horizontal wires you can see on the picture).
Connect them up to a current limited powersupply and start low.
Bring the current up slowly until (with the room lighting off) you see them start to glow a tiny bit.
Quickly reduce the current until they completely stop glowing.
*Be careful* if you use too much current they will glow bright red and melt, then it will be useless.

Get a second power supply and common it with the first powersupply.
Start at 5v and connect it to various pins. You should see segments light up. If not try 12v, then 24 etc.
It should definitely light up at 24V



« Last Edit: June 16, 2012, 08:38:50 am by Psi »
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Offline Bored@Work

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Re: VFD help
« Reply #2 on: June 16, 2012, 08:38:45 am »
Start with reading the wikipedia article about VFDs. It roughly explains how they work and has some pointers to more information.
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Offline amyk

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Re: VFD help
« Reply #3 on: June 16, 2012, 12:06:51 pm »
If the FIP selection document you found was this:
http://www.excesssolutions.com/mas_assets/acrobat/ES1672.pdf

Then the last 2 pages give a good guide on how to use them.

The FIP4Q8A looks the most similar to yours. That model requires only 2.4VAC filament voltage and 81mA.

The two outermost pins are for the filament.  The "schematic" on the back is actually the conductive traces to the anodes.
 

Offline codeboy2k

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Re: VFD help
« Reply #4 on: June 17, 2012, 03:11:55 am »
*Be careful* if you use too much current they will glow bright red and melt, then it will be useless.

I did that only once   ;)

There's some good information here on the Noritake website
http://www.noritake-itron.com/subpages/applicnotese/vfdoperapn.htm
« Last Edit: June 17, 2012, 03:39:00 am by codeboy2k »
 


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