Neon/Plasma Tube High Voltage Driver Design (for a desk ornament, nothing fancy. my personal skills are not adequate)
Budget: $10 – $30 USD
Title:
High Voltage Driver & Startup Circuit for Neon/Plasma Tube Lighting
Description:
I’m looking for an experienced electronics engineer to design a high voltage driver and startup circuit for a neon/plasma tube (LT‑2 or equivalent) used in a lighting project. The project involves DC-DC voltage conversion, microcontroller-based control, and monitoring for startup and full-power operation.
Project Requirements:
Input voltage: 12V–24V DC
Output voltage: ~500V DC steady-state, with strike pulses up to ~600–700V
Tube startup: low-light “warm-up” mode with gradual ramp to full brightness
Microcontroller interface (ATmega328p) for:
PWM strike control
Voltage and current monitoring via ADC
Optional 1” I²C OLED display for status
Adjustable HV output via trim pot
Optional brightness control via PWM pot
Deliverables:
Complete schematic (KiCad preferred) including: HV module, strike MOSFET, tube, series resistor, voltage divider, current sense, MCU, OLED interface
Custom HV module symbol for KiCad
Bill of Materials (BOM)
Functional block diagram and documentation including net names and safety notes
Recommendations for PCB layout and safety clearances (optional but preferred)
Skills & Experience Required:
High voltage electronics design (400–600V DC range)
DC-DC converter design (boost/flyback)
Experience with neon/plasma tube circuits or high-voltage lighting applications
MCU interfacing (ATmega328p)
Familiarity with KiCad or other EDA tools
Knowledge of HV safety, isolation, and creepage
Additional Notes:
Safety is critical; this is a bench / lighting project, not industrial.
Candidate should advise on resistor sizing, capacitor selection, and safe handling of HV circuits.
Budget & Timeline: Flexible, to be discussed based on experience and deliverables.
High Voltage Driver & Startup Circuit for Neon/Plasma Tube Lighting
Description:
I’m looking for an experienced electronics engineer to design a high voltage driver and startup circuit for a neon/plasma tube (LT‑2 or equivalent) used in a lighting project. The project involves DC-DC voltage conversion, microcontroller-based control, and monitoring for startup and full-power operation.
Project Requirements:
Input voltage: 12V–24V DC
Output voltage: ~500V DC steady-state, with strike pulses up to ~600–700V
Tube startup: low-light “warm-up” mode with gradual ramp to full brightness
Microcontroller interface (ATmega328p) for:
PWM strike control
Voltage and current monitoring via ADC
Optional 1” I²C OLED display for status
Adjustable HV output via trim pot
Optional brightness control via PWM pot
Deliverables:
Complete schematic (KiCad preferred) including: HV module, strike MOSFET, tube, series resistor, voltage divider, current sense, MCU, OLED interface
Custom HV module symbol for KiCad
Bill of Materials (BOM)
Functional block diagram and documentation including net names and safety notes
Recommendations for PCB layout and safety clearances (optional but preferred)
Skills & Experience Required:
High voltage electronics design (400–600V DC range)
DC-DC converter design (boost/flyback)
Experience with neon/plasma tube circuits or high-voltage lighting applications
MCU interfacing (ATmega328p)
Familiarity with KiCad or other EDA tools
Knowledge of HV safety, isolation, and creepage
Additional Notes:
Safety is critical; this is a bench / lighting project, not industrial.
Candidate should advise on resistor sizing, capacitor selection, and safe handling of HV circuits.
Budget & Timeline: Flexible, to be discussed based on experience and deliverables.