# Any single chip DC to AC converters?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-single-chip-dc-to-ac-converters/837234>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 18, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-single-chip-dc-to-ac-converters/837234 "2019-07-18T00:36:59Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Mdcastle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/958977/32.png) [@Mdcastle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mdcastle)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2019, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-single-chip-dc-to-ac-converters/837234/1 "2019-07-18T00:36:59Z")

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Hypothetically what’s the simplest way to run a NE-2 lamp off say a 9 volt battery nowadays? The Radio Shack “Goofy Lights” kit that I had as a kid used a 9 volt battery and an inverter with discrete components including a huge transformer. I’m aware that single chip DC-DC converters are as common as dirt now, but I can’t seem to find any DC to AC. Most of my searching turns up the huge brick like devices that plug into a car socket. Is there a single chip solution for low voltage, low current DC, say 5 to 12 volts, to 90-120 volts or so AC?

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2019, 1:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-single-chip-dc-to-ac-converters/837234/2 "2019-07-18T01:59:30Z")

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Well, you need some external components, but something like [this](http://www.mouser.com/ds/2/391/HV857L-14900.pdf) will work.

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**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\
**Post date:** [July 18, 2019, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/any-single-chip-dc-to-ac-converters/837234/3 "2019-07-18T04:12:56Z")

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Neon lamps run fine on DC. I assume you’re looking for a small self-contained module, not necessarily literally single-chip.

Look for Nixie tube drivers on eBay. Nixie tubes are just special neon lamps. Something like [this power supply](https://www.ebay.com/itm/80-380V-DC-High-Voltage-NIXIE-Magic-Eye-Tube-HV-Power-Supply-Module-NIXIE-ERA/113053531416?hash=item1a5283fd18:g:x0IAAOSwtJxbrl-q) should work for you–low voltage input, high voltage output. Can tune the output voltage to get the brightness you need.