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Did you know
By ibedonc, Section Homebrewed Electricity Posted on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 06:15:41 AM MST
that you can run .....

Fluorescent lamps with a Electronic ballast off of 130vdc , did that tonight
using my booster , ran two T8 32watt lamps @ 130vdc .4 amps

Did you know | 11 comments (11 topical)

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#1)
by nothing to lose on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 02:11:59 AM MST

I just posted in the other thread too, I suppose that's alot better than running through an inverter?

But have I got something wrong here?
32watts X 2tubes is 64watts. 130Vdc X.4 amps is 52 watts? What happened to the other 12watts? Are the tubes running cooler or producing a little less light or something or is my math off??

I am getting a good interest in this, did you post the schematic to build this board awhile back or was that something else I was looking at for a different type device? Are you building these to sell, if so what kinda price are they?
.
nothing to lose

Spelin and tpying are my strong points, not electronics.

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#4)
by ibedonc on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 04:32:50 PM MST

do not know what happen to the other watts , that is what my Fluke amp meter showed

did not change brighness even up to 200v amp dropped as volts went up .28 amps at 200v

[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#5)
by laskey on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 09:08:44 PM MST

You have to realize that the manufacture can only estimate what the wattage will be. When they put 32 watts on there they are saying all lamps of this model will consume at most 32watts. Still, you shouldn't be off by that much, but who is to say that using DC to drive the ballast isn't more effecient.

Cya,
Chris

[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#2)
by Trivo on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 03:30:13 PM MST

I have just finished a few 12v circuts to run 240v fluros of 12 v battery
story http://www.talkingelectronics.com/Projects/FluorescentInverter/FluorescentInverter.html
it explanes why the ballast type use more power
Trivo

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#6)
by Bach On on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 11:17:40 AM MST

Trivo,

I looked at the articles using your electronic conversion process. The power in your area is 240 volts. I live in the U.S. where our power is 120 volt based. What changes would be required in the transformer and coil to power bulbs designed for 120 volts? I know the 120 volt bulbs would still work, but it seems better to design the system for the correct voltage. I suspect it also might be slightly more efficient.

Anyone have any ideas?

Bach On

- - I'm not superman, but I am very dense! -
[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#7)
by Trivo on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 12:44:36 PM MST

I think you will find all tubes are the same world wide it is the ballast that does all the conversion all i would recommend is put a 1N5408 diode (or equivalent 3A type); on the power input
with the transformer that you make the wire size is not important i have used 1.6mm and .8 and it still worked
i sujest you read this post http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2005/1/31/234116/315
but there is one alteration the feedback wire size must be the same size as the secondary winding so it goes secondary 450 ish turns thin wire then 50 to 55 turns thick wire then 13 turns thin wire good luck
Trivo

[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#8)
by Bach On on Sat Feb 19, 2005 at 05:33:33 PM MST

OK. I understand you on the issue of the bulb voltages. You believe it is the ballast that is the deciding factor. Interesting. I didn't know that.

I don't have any ferrite rods in my junk boxes, though there is a whole lot of other stuff. Is there something else (such as nails, bolts, etc.) that might be used in place of it? I suspect more people would be willing to try it. I've got everything required except for that.

If so, I wonder how it might change the windings required?

Bach On

- - I'm not superman, but I am very dense! -
[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#9)
by Trivo on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 12:24:47 AM MST

Yes any mild steel that will transfer flux should work like the transformer leaves
The rods are very cheap about $1 aus each or you can get them from any radio, they are used for tuning. I think that the relationship between the coils is the deciding factor not so much the rod they are on.I might try one on steel and see if it works
Trivo

[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#10)
by Trivo on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 02:09:48 AM MST

just tried 2 diffrent type 1 galvanised steel bolt 2 zincalume bolt both did not work will try some other things tommorow

[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#11)
by Bach On on Sun Feb 20, 2005 at 04:43:49 PM MST

Trivo,

I did some research and reading on the Internet. Iron and steel works better for slower frequencies. Ferrite better supports higher frequencies. It may be that the oscillator circuit is using higher frequencies than the steel can sustain. So ferrite may be the best or even the only choice. I guess I'll have to check around at Radio Shack and see what I can find.

Thanks for your efforts. I'm motivated. I'll get it.

Bach On

- - I'm not superman, but I am very dense! -
[ Parent ]

Re: Did you know (3.00 / 0) (#3)
by Nando on Thu Feb 17, 2005 at 03:55:10 PM MST

Efficiency at low voltages and for electronic ballasts circuits is a bit difficult to design using simple circuits.

The circuit should use a dual semiconductor and the circuit should be frequency resonant to attain the highest efficiency.

To determine the losses I need to see the schematic with its values

Regards

Nando

Did you know | 11 comments (11 topical)

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