12 Volt Fluorescent Lamp Drivers
 

For those of you running any 12V systems, using CFLs can be a problem unless you run your 12V system through an inverter. Well, this page shows you how to build a relatively driver circuit to run florescents off of. They have a fariety of circuits from 2W drivers to 20W.

12 Volt fluorescent lamp drivers

http://www.qsl.net/xq2fod/Electron/Fluolamp/fluo2wd.JPG

1 watt low enough?
Circuit - 1 WATT FLUORESCENT LAMP NIGHT LIGHT - Circuits designed by David A. Johnson, P.E.
http://www.discovercircuits.com/DJ-C...s/flunight.jpg

I was thinking about the lack of transformers, when I saw this one..
Fluorescent Inverter
You make the transformer too..

Here's the source.
http://www.discovercircuits.com/F/fluor-lamp.htm

Low Voltage Fluorescent vs. Inverter + CFL
 

I'm not familiar with these low voltage fluorescent starter designs, but some years back, I found some RV fluorescent bulbs & starters at my local thrift store.

I compared the current draw of using a cheap Modified Sine Wave inverter + CFL, to using my newly acquired RV lights.

To my amazement, the current draw through the inverter + CFL was lower, and the light quality and illumination level was better (higher) compared to the RV starter fluorescent. Plus, there is a large selection of cheap CFL bulbs available. Go figure...

Your mileage may vary.

Personally, I think that the age of the LED is just about here. Just a few minor improvements and economy of scale to go...

-AC

-AC_Hacker