Electrical Question
Submitted: Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 15:31
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Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW)
I have a 240volt fluro with a 36w globe in it. Says it draws at around 0.263amps. I have tried to connect it up to my Power Tech inverter (300w modified sine wave) however, it won't work.
I have checked the inverter with other appliance, battery charger etc and it works fine.
Is the inverter too small for this size light?
Reply By: oldtrack123 - Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 16:00
Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 16:00
Hi Cram
One of the reasons not to get a MSW inverter if you want to use it to run many 240v devices.
They CAN cause problems with lots of gear even causing sufficient over heating to burn out the gear over time.
Standard domestic style fluoros , motors, some electronic gear some bat chargers, tvs etc CAN have problems handling the wave form..
Many will no doubt reply telling you that they have had no problems & that is the problem ,you will not know until you try it with the YOUR gear.PURE sine wave is the only certain way to be sure ALL your gear will work, unfortunately more expensive.
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350420
Follow Up By: Member - Cram (Newcastle NSW) - Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 17:27
Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 17:27
Yes, I did not have a lot of knowledge on them when I first got the inverter but have been reading alot today and see the benefit of the pure sinewave.
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Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 19:25
Sunday, Feb 22, 2009 at 19:25
Sounds like a power factor issue. Because the flouro has a ballast inductor in it, the power factor will somewhat less than 1.0, resulting in more current drawn than ohm's law would indicate. A capacitor is usually installed to correct this, but only when it is actually running, not starting.
Suggest you buy some 12v CFLs (Jaycar, Bunnings), which will give you much better light for a given power consumption with less hassle.
cheers, Gerry
AnswerID:
350464