Inverter running fluoro lights
Submitted: Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:22
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Member - Glenn H (NSW)
Hi all, I have a new 300 watt inverter - modified sine wave. The instructions say NOT to use it to run fluoros. I was hoping to try a 20 W and an 11W compact fluoro in the oyster light fittings in the van - minus the covers so the bulbs will fit. I will just feed the 230V AC output into the same input plug on the outside of the van that you use when you are at a powered site.That way SWMBO can charge up phone and camera, load pics into computer etc from the existing power points.
Has anyone being doing a similar thing and blown up their inverter or had it purr along OK. Maybe it might last a few hours and eventually do some damage to the electronics. Or I could give it a go and report back in a months time? Cheers, Warrie
Reply By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:30
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:30
Glenn,
Maybe it's only relevant to *modified* sine wave
inverters ??
Mainey . . .
AnswerID:
341833
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:35
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:35
Hi Mainey i was hoping someone like you would reply. I have read your profile and the notes about your setup and notice that you have a pure sine wave device. So does this run compact fluoros OK. Glenn...
FollowupID:
609489
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:45
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:45
Glenn,
the 240 Volt fluoro's I use are these:Image Could Not Be Found
I have no problems with them
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
609491
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:57
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 09:57
Yes that looks like the ugly 20W beast I've got. It takes 20 seconds to get to full intensity but I'm getting used to the one in my spare room at home.
Well it looks like a pure sine wave device is OK for them but as to the modified?? Glenn ...
FollowupID:
609492
Follow Up By: Maîneÿ (wa) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 10:05
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 10:05
Must add,
I also use 'similar design' 12 Volt Compact fluoro's too
They are in an (almost) unbreakable holder, so it can fall, as they often do, with out any damage.
Image Could Not Be Found
Mainey . . .
FollowupID:
609494
Follow Up By: Member - Lance S (VIC) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 17:46
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 17:46
Glenn, i use exactly the same set up as Mainey but on a 600w modified sine wave for one of these, i also use a 12v cig. lighter plug in the same set up as i have 4 of these and they use bugger all power and are bullet proof. The 600 MSW one is mainly a back up now.
cheers,
Lance
FollowupID:
609557
Follow Up By: get outmore - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 22:41
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 22:41
if its taking 20 seconds to get to full intensity chuck it and get another brand.
the good ones fire up almost straighaway and give off a yellow light rather than harsh white
- look around there is many different kinds
FollowupID:
609588
Reply By: Boobook2 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 11:21
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 11:21
Why not ust use 12v flouros.? It will be a lot cheaper and much more efficient. Even sine wave coverters are much better in terms of compatibility with devices but are less effecient. your 12w flouro will probably use 40w plus including the quiescent current of the inverter and inefficiencies. Also you have to remember to turn off the inverter when no lights are in use.
IHMO
inverters are a "last resort" solution.
AnswerID:
341844
Follow Up By: x - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 13:09
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 13:09
Agree.
Nelson make 12V fluoros. 12W screw in type. Avail Bunnings.
FollowupID:
609514
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 14:08
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 14:08
Hi Boobook, hadn't thought about inefficiencies. I will put the ammeter on my 12V 9W compact fluoro which plugs into a cig lighter. Then I will put 11W 240V light into a desk lamp and run it off van power point linked back to inverter. Back in a while with results. Glenn...
FollowupID:
609522
Follow Up By: blue one - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:00
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:00
Yep agree with that Boo got
mine from Bunnings also.
Cheers
Steve
FollowupID:
609529
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:13
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:13
Here's the results:
Inverter on with no load: 0.24A
With 11W light 1.22A
With 20W light 1.99A to start then dropped to 1.80A after 3mins and held steady.
With 12V DC 9W : 0.75A So at a first stab in the dark if I subtract the 0.24A both the 11 and 20 W tubes are using what they claim.i.e. running at their rated wattage.
But the 20 Watter is nice and
bright and I guess I'll sacrifice the quarter amp. It was a freebie and saves a trip to the hardware store. My little solar panel will just have to work a bit harder to replace the 3Whr power loss. Cheers, Glenn...
FollowupID:
609531
Follow Up By: Boobook2 - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:41
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 15:41
That's not bad Glenn, better results than I thought. Don't lose that Inverter.
:-)
FollowupID:
609540
Reply By: Member - Mike DID - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 12:38
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 12:38
I suspect the "no-fluoro" warning applies to the old-style straight-tube fluorescents which use a large inductive ballast.
Compact Flourescent rectify the AC to DC and are similar to many switchmode power-supplies and battery chargers.
Unless your Modified SQUAREwave Inverter is really cheap and nasty, the CF lights should run ok on it.
AnswerID:
341849
Follow Up By: Member - Glenn H (NSW) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 14:17
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 14:17
How cheap and nasty is my $79 job from Mr Richard Smith's emporium? I had a 150W one from Supercheap - It might have been $59 back in 05. Only used to recharge phone, video and camera so only low loads. Died after, lets say, 24 weeks of use in total for 2 hours a day. i.e. about 350 hours. Not as reliable as other electronic gear eg. National microwave still going after 22years. Glenn...
FollowupID:
609525
Reply By: gottabjoaken - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 16:37
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 16:37
You said: "That way SWMBO can charge up phone and camera, load pics into computer etc from the existing power points."
I would strongly recommend that you do not try that with a modified square wave inverter.
For any electronic gizmos, including such chargers, I have found that a modified sq wave inverter is asking for trouble. Things can get very hot and may just not function properly at all.
They are good for incandescent lights and simple heating elements, but not a lot else, IMO.
Ken
AnswerID:
341868
Reply By: Member - Redbakk (WA) - Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 18:20
Tuesday, Dec 30, 2008 at 18:20
Have a look at these......
Site Link
AnswerID:
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