12 Volt Fluorescent Lamp Drivers

Daox · 10-22-10, 08:15 AM

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

Xringer · 04-09-11, 08:47 AM

1 watt low enough?
Circuit - 1 WATT FLUORESCENT LAMP NIGHT LIGHT - Circuits designed by David A. Johnson, P.E.

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

AC_Hacker · 04-13-11, 05:57 PM

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

10-22-10, 08:15 AM	#1
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 5,463 Thanks: 1,106 Thanked 366 Times in 297 Posts	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 __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

04-09-11, 08:47 AM	#2
Xringer Lex Parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 106 Thanked 244 Times in 224 Posts	1 watt low enough? Circuit - 1 WATT FLUORESCENT LAMP NIGHT LIGHT - Circuits designed by David A. Johnson, P.E. 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 Last edited by Xringer; 04-09-11 at 09:09 AM.. Reason: URL

04-13-11, 05:57 PM	#3
AC_Hacker Supreme EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 4,002 Thanks: 303 Thanked 707 Times in 529 Posts	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 __________________ I'm not an HVAC technician. In fact, I'm barely even a hacker... Last edited by AC_Hacker; 04-13-11 at 06:03 PM..

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode