40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter

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Bart Milnes 52,958 99 38
This 40W fluorescent lamp inverter allows you to run 40W fluorescent tubes from any 12V source capable of delivering 3A. This is basically a larger version of the 12VDC Fluorescent Lamp Driver and can be used to light regular or blacklight tubes.

Schematic

This is a schematic of the 40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter

Parts
Part
Total Qty.
Description
Substitutions
R11180 Ohm 1W Resistor
R2147 Ohm 1/4W Resistor
R312.2 Ohm 1W Resistor (only needed once)
C1, C22100uF 16V Electrolytic Capacitor
C31100nF Ceramic Disc Capacitor
Q11TIP 3055 or 2N3055 or equivalent
L11See "Notes"
T11See "Notes"
MISC1Wire, Case, Board, Heatsink For Q1, heatshrink, AM antenna rod for coil

Notes

  1. Email Bart Milnes with questions, comments, etc.

  2. Wind L1/T1. You will need an AM antenna rod that is about 60mm (2.5 inches) long to wind T1/L1 on. T1/L1 are wound on the same core. Shrink a layer of heatshrink over the core to insulate it. Leave 50mm of wire at each end of the coils.
    Primary: Wind 60 turns of 1mm diameter enamelled copper wire on the first layer and put a layer of heatshrink over it.
    Feedback: Wind 13 turns of 0.4mm enamelled copper wire on the core and then heatshrink over that.
    Secondary: This coil has 450 turns of 0.4mm enamelled copper wire in three layers. Wind one layer and then heatshrink over it. Do the same for the next two.
    Transformer/Inductor Winding

  3. Calibrate/test the circuit. To calibrate/set up the circuit connect the 2.2 Ohm 1W resistor (R3) in series with the positive supply. Connect a 40W fluorescent tube to the high voltage ends of the transformer. Momentarily connect power. If the tube doesn't light immediately reverse the connections of L1. If the tube still doesn't work, check all connections. When you get the tube to light remove the 2.2 ohm resistor and the circuit is ready for use. You will not need R3 again.

  4. This circuit is designed for 220V lamps. It will work with 120V units just fine, but will shorten the life of the tube.

  5. This page has been extensively rewritten by Bart Milne. (15/3/01)

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Comments

Ludicrum
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Friday, March 28, 2008 10:47:19 AM
thank you for tis circuit. I build it six months ago and it works fine at my car port in common with a solar pannel. Regards Ludi
Jovan
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Tuesday, February 26, 2008 3:08:26 AM
nice circuit,,thus, this circuit could handle or carry a double 40 watts fluorescent...? what is this L1 and T1? thus, the lighting tube will last long?
damian
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Saturday, February 09, 2008 6:18:26 PM
nice circuit. where does c3 go? also is Q1 supposed to put off that much heat? have a pretty big heat sink. put a 12v computer fan on it to keep it cool.
anonymous
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Sunday, February 03, 2008 11:46:27 PM
Sir may I suggest that you redesign the circuit, T1's output is pulsed DC, it will drastically shorten the lifespan of the Flou tube
anonymous
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Thursday, January 24, 2008 11:59:52 PM
i came to know that R3 needn't connect after one operation. i think it is ridiculous. i wonder how could the circuit get +ve supply without it. and even R3 is connected how could it bear current of 3Amps with capacity of 1 watt only.
Anindya
11 W CFL Inverter
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 4:05:20 AM
Hi , Can anybody give me a mosfetbased ckt. which can drive a 11 W PL lamp with a 6V powersource.. Thanks , Anindya .
RAMESH
12v 40W Fluorescent Lamp inverter
Monday, January 21, 2008 12:01:23 AM
sir i would like to know how to design transformer for various inverter circuit application
mad scientist
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Tuesday, January 01, 2008 8:55:42 PM
sir,can you feature an inverter that can be used to drive an electric fan, t.v. and a 20 watts fluorescent using a 12 vlts battery at the same time. thank you very much
anonymous
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:25:14 AM
nice but show the full details and explain how its working
abhishek bajpai
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Wednesday, October 31, 2007 2:39:01 AM
sir i like this project.this project is very nice and i want to implement this project as my b.tech .final year project.so kindly refer me full detail of this project as soon as possible.
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