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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Ideas for Hydrogen Discharge Tube

Joined
Aug 11, 2013
Messages
105
Points
18
I just came back from a re-giving activity at my uni and somehow ended up with a semi-working Hydrogen gas discharge tube. I don't have pics because my phone was dead and I left it at Uni to take a quick spectrum somewhere next week.

It's basically a big wooden box with a power cord, a knob that goes from minimum to maximum and a slit that shows the tube inside. "High tech shit", I hear you thinking ^^

The tube works, but at max setting it's fluctuating a bit and at minimum it's turning on & off. Even at max it's not really that bright.

* Is it (near)-broken, or do I just need adjustments to the internal settings?
* Does anyone have any ideas what to do with it? Current ideas are:
1. Open it up, see if we can make it into an 'art piece'/'fancy lamp'​
2. Salvage high-voltage parts and have some fun with those​


I'll admit, I haven't looked into it at all myself (yet!), but I was wondering if any of you have cool ideas already :)
 
Last edited:





Joined
Sep 12, 2007
Messages
9,399
Points
113
hydrogen isn't nearly as bright as most of its noble gas counterparts (neon, for example). A dim output is to be expected.
 
Joined
Dec 11, 2011
Messages
4,364
Points
83
Yep, it's likely perfectly fine. You get some electrode ablation and bore darkening from long hours of use and/or overheating but unless physical trauma is involved they usually last just about forever.

Fancy it up and make an accent light. Don't ruin a nice display for $5 of HV electronics.
 




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