Simple 12v compact fluorescent tube ballast/inverter only eight components! updated!

Step 4 Create a pcb to mount it on.

use this diagram to make the PCB to put it all on
but watch out because the jump wires may be confusing!
.
now find the lamp you put aside and connect the base terminals
to the output wires and test it and then you are finished!

Comments

[jonathanmlang]

I've built this circuit and there is a better way of heating the filaments. when you have wound the secondary, twist a center tap and then put on another 35 turns. put the start of the winding to one filament of the tube, the center tap to one end of the other filament and the end of the winding to the other end of the filament. You no longer need the switch start because this will start the tube reliably and automatically. This works because I have tried it.

And don't forget, never run without a tube because it burns out the transistor in seconds!

[lam]

Hi jonathanmlang .
Could you post your schema here ??? for people easy to see and to learn. Thank you

[jonathanmlang]

Well since its been such a while ago since I posted that comment I have made some massive improvements to this inverter. If you decide to make it wind the primary starting from the bottom to top then again after the center tap. This one will start the lamp softly and looks like a professional rapid-start during starting.

[lam]

Dear Jonathanmlang.
First thank you so much for your time to post your diagram schema ,But unfortunatery the picture is too blearing,not clear to see.Could you re-post an other..
Kind regards

[jonathanmlang]

I uploaded the image much larger than the one above but instructables shrunk it down! I have made an instructable of how to make this inverter so you can see it better.

[lam]

Thank you so much Jonathanmlang.
Kind regads

[red eyes]

make this diagram easier

[flying pie]

i want to make it smaller in size so i can put it in the case of the old cfl and is there a way to make it for  a 38w  cfl

[bilalinpk]

please post a clear diagram i shall be very thankful to you..

[12V]

is this easier to understand?

[12V]

watch out this is 12v and not 24!(the diagram might make you think it is 24)

[mgalyean]

Is that -12V supposed to 'ground'?
Otherwise it looks like it requires 24VDC to operate (+12-12=24).

Do you have any ballpark for efficiency? How warm does the circuit get? Too hot to touch? (the transistor and any resistors would be the key components to monitor). The hotter they run, the less efficient the circuit. Unless it is also considered a mini space heater.

Thanks for the ible, it will be useful renovating boats and campers.

[12V]

yes it is supposed to be grounded. it is 12v between +and -. produces about 35w (incandescent equivalent) of light. it is about (depending on tube and windings) 22w at 12v i accidentally connected it to 14.4v and it burned out so don't exceed 13.8v with a good heat sink . ratings: input 23w volt 11-13.8 amp 1.7-2.4 output volt starting 130v running 35+ power 7-8w efficiency 30% (28% more than equivalent incandescent including bulb)