Interesting site for CFL's

[David HK]

The above titles say it all.

http://pavouk.comp.cz/hw/lamp/en_index.html

David HK

[Nando]

See the Philips circuit which is the original patent circuit, the rest is just adaptations of the patent.

The transistors need to have a Vce voltage break down of at least, 1.3 * the peak AC voltage.

TO220 devices may be too high Ic, and saturation time which may upset the whole operating frequency,

TO220 good for large lamps ( with heat sinks), I have made circuits for 4 feet, 40 watts as well as other size lamps.

The frequency is defined by the choke and the lower capacitor across the lamp.

The circuit using resistors Collector Base is a poor design, if the lamp dies the circuit will burn.

The initial circuit as was designed does not damage the circuitry if the lamps dies because the lamps filaments are part of the oscillating circuit.

Nando

[David HK]

Nando,

Your obviously light years ahead of many of us in the world of electronics, but having regard for your comments, may I ask how you would rate Phillips CFL's amongst the array of CFL's on the market?

Would you say that they are worth the money? Are there any better? Could you (yourself) produce a better CFL circuit than those illustrated in the mentioned web site and so on.

Your views would be of great interest.

David

HK