JIMMIE wrote:
On Apr 8, 9:51 am, Tim Shoppa wrote:
On Apr 3, 10:34 am, JIMMIE wrote:

I have a Systron Donner frequency counter that uses Nixie tubes. The
counter works fine but I am forever replacing the Nixie drivers
74141s. I started to use it this AM an one was out. Is there a
replacement for the 74141, I couldnt find one, or is there a circuit I
could build on a DIP header to replace them. I could probably design
one but I wanted something tried an tested as I dont want to put my
counter board at more risk than I have to.
Domestic 74141's are hard to find these days but on E-bay the Russian
equivalent is very common.

Yes, you could build just about anything with a one-of-ten decoder and
some current-sink drivers to do the same.

If the goal isn't nixie tubes but is a working frequency counter, you
could probably put the counter up on E-bay for somebody who wants
nixie tubes, and use the money to buy several superior frequency
counters.

Tim N3QE

I forgot that the 74141 was also a decoder chip. I was thinking it was
just a driver. That complicates things a bit.
As far as the quality of the counter goes it works just fine and I
still have a few 74141s though my supply is getting low. I may try
some of the Russian chips.


JImmie

As I noted in a previous email, the 74141 is still available, but
looking at Mouser, I see they are not exactly cheap...but...it beats
hacking up a piece of equipment and trying to use a completely different
part...here's the link to Mouser's part...

http://www.mouser.com/Search/Refine....yword=nte74141

Scott
N0EDV