Pigtail Neons :)

[pedja089]

1N diode won't do much at higher frequency.
Try to find some UF diode, or some schottky 60V diode, 1A...
Edit:
Add a lot of decoupling capacitors(10nF,100nF)
I think that you didn't put diode right way.
It should be like this
http://i.stack.imgur.com/Oarz3.gif
You can try to put 1N4148, but it probably won't last long...

[Art]

I have used the diode like the second example on this page:
http://electronics.stackexchange.com...nsistor-switch
The first way actually prevented the neons lighting, no matter what polarity the diode across the primary.

I don't have anything other than rectifiers at the moment, but will see how I go tomorrow.

[pedja089]

Second example won't do anything to spikes, it just prevent transistor from negative voltage.
I think that mosfet would be best solution. Because it have zener diode between source and drain.
You can also make RCD clamp, like this
http://m.eet.com/media/1055546/C0541-Figure4.gif

[Art]

Second example won't do anything to spikes, it just prevent transistor from negative voltage.
I think that mosfet would be best solution. Because it have zener diode between source and drain.
You can also make RCD clamp, like this
http://m.eet.com/media/1055546/C0541-Figure4.gif

Will a P-Channel MOSFET directly replace the MJE3055?
http://www.jaycar.com.au/products_uploaded/ZT-2467.pdf

Note this schematic has no protection diodes at all.

[pedja089]

N channel mosfet will replace MJE3055... But you need one with logic level gate, to be able to drive them directly from pic output.
EDIT:
This might be helpful
http://www.dos4ever.com/flyback/flyback.html

[Art]

It looks like IRF540N then. It has 1-4Volt gate.. I could use a resistor on the pic output because it is 5 Volts.

[Art]

Well IRF540N works but it's only back to square one.
I'm still getting zapped if I put my fingers across the MOSFETs.