40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter

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Bart Milnes 76,976 15 45
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

Johnny
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter used on High Pressure Sodium Lamp
Tuesday, November 11, 2008 12:43:34 PM
Is there any way to make this curcuit into a 50w Fluorescent Lamp Inverter because the sodium lamp works fine and goes yellow but does not work at full brightness due to it being 10w too low. Even on a 40w fluorescent lamp is the transistor supposed to get so hot? I even put a drop of water on it and it boiled! Is their a mosphet version of this?
Dattaprasad
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Saturday, November 01, 2008 12:24:19 AM
Dear sir,nice ckt but where does C3 goes?U have not shown in the ckt diagram. I'm confused in T1 & L1 Kindy suggest the IC instead of T1 & L1. Pls help me i,want to do this project for final year. Or kindly suggest the similar circuit Awaiting for ur prompt reply, Regds, Dattaprasad
Dimitri
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Wednesday, October 15, 2008 6:43:24 AM
Nice design ! But Q1 need a big big heat sink .
Kiptoo
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Tuesday, September 16, 2008 8:00:06 AM
This circuit is great. I want to make be my final year project.Thanks alot.
joseph
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 8:25:41 AM
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.
rahul
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Tuesday, July 01, 2008 2:46:10 AM
hah ! simple 'noisy' design
Mr Stuffer
40W Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
Wednesday, June 18, 2008 10:29:21 AM
Hallo, what a lovely simple circuit that works nice :-) I must, however, note that the schematic doesn't comply with the component list (which is incorrect). There is no C3 and C2 should be 100nF, not 100uF like C1. Hope it helps clarify things.
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.
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