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I want to make a small clock using Nixie tubes (for the cool/retro/steampunk look of them), I have some basic knowledge of electronics, but I have never done anything with more than 12V DC and ~10A. I saw that Nixie tubes are usually using 3mA at 180V in order to make the Neon glow and I am concerned with the safety concerns.

Because I do not want to hurt myself with a shock of 180V caused by a mistake due to my poor experience with high voltage, I wonder if some indicator tubes that look like Nixie ones are functioning in low voltage/current ?

I know no Nixie tubes at low voltage can not exist because the gas needs to be excited to produce light, thus, the "look like" is very important.

EngelOfChipolata
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    Perhaps you can make some out of LED filament. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LED_filament – Dampmaskin May 29 '17 at 11:58
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    [This](https://hackaday.io/project/18633-lixie-an-led-alternative-to-the-nixie-tube) looks cool. – Vladimir Cravero May 29 '17 at 11:58
  • RIP Nixie, goodmorning LED. – Marko Buršič May 29 '17 at 12:06
  • @MarkoBuršič Fortunately not. A nixie tube isn't a visual display device, just as a steam locomotive isn't a transport vehicle and a violin isn't a musical instrument. – Paul Uszak May 29 '17 at 12:20
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    Use a HD LCD with a picture of a nixie tube display. Nobody will notice the difference! – Andy aka May 29 '17 at 13:33
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    Large Nixies are quite difficult to get today and expensive. I'm already having LED filaments shipped to me from China (without having to break a bulb to get them.) These are 28 LEDs of two types within a phosphor/silicon sleeve and are flexible (to an extent) and cost about 25 cents per filament. They require about 70 V and 10 mA (each filament) to operate. Lower voltage than Nixie but the overall power for a display will be higher, regardless, but also brighter, too. (LED filaments may soon be used as analog clock hands for night use, too.) – jonk May 29 '17 at 15:37
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    One trick I've seen is multiple layers of clear Acrylic with a digit engraved in each layer and each is separately edge illuminated with LEDs. While it doesn't really look like a Nixie, it has the same 3D look. Unfortunately, you'll probably need to find someone with a laser engraver to make the panels and make the LED assembly yourself. – DoxyLover May 29 '17 at 18:53
  • @DoxyLover: Such displays were used back in the days of nixie tubes, side-lit with incandescent bulbs rather than LEDs, so that approach would still retain retro appeal. Another approach might be to use a "projection" display [traditionally lit with incandescent bulbs, but again LEDs might work]. – supercat Apr 09 '18 at 23:20
  • There used to be a "hot wire" display that could run on 12 volts. Not exactly what you want but it still has a retro look. A pre-led 7-segment. Don't know if they still exist. – Robert Endl Jun 13 '19 at 03:30

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No, low voltage nixie tubes do not exist. But if you're after that nixie tube "look" you can buy Numitrons that work at 4.5v.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uT5W2IU7Ft0 for an example of what a Numitron looks like.

Ben Pottinger
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To answer your question succinctly, no they do not exist.

Glenn W9IQ
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Yes they do look for a tube number GE Y1938 , i own 4 , datasheet is on google

Neko
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    That a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), not a Nixie tube (neon gas discharge). Completely different technology. Also, it's 7-segment, not fully-formed digits like a Nixie has. – Dave Tweed Jun 12 '19 at 23:07