Inverter Circuits

Inverter Circuits
Inverter Introduction
Most of these circuits were reversed engineered from commercial products. The good news is that this means they
probably all work somewhat reliably. The bad news is that a custom wound transformer (you can build in most
cases) will be needed and there may be errors in the number of turns and wire sizes listed since these were all
determined without totally dismembering the unit in question.
However the circuit described in the section! "uper "imple #nverter$ only requires off%the%shelf components but has
a pitiful efficiency. &ut construction is well super simple !%).
'nd it should be easy to make modifications to the flash units from pocket or disposable cameras as described in
the section! (p to )*+ ,-. #nverter from /.* , 'lkaline .ell since these are quite readily available for free if you
know where to ask0
1or more information on fluorescent and 2enon lamps see the documents! 1luorescent 3amps &allasts and 1i2tures
and 4otes on the Troubleshooting and 5epair of 6lectronic 1lash (nits and "trobe 3ights and -esign 7uidelines
(seful .ircuits and "chematics respectively.
&ack to "am8s "chematic .ollection Table of .ontents.
Super Simple Inverter
This circuit can be used to power a small strobe or fluorescent lamp. #t will generate over 9++ ,-. from a /: ,-.
:.* ' power supply or an auto or marine battery. ;hile size weight and efficiency are nothing to write home about
% in fact they are quite pitiful % all components are readily available (even from 5adio "hack) and construction is
very straightforward. 4o custom coils or transformers are required. #f wired correctly it will work.
<utput depends on input voltage. 'd=ust for your application. ;ith the component values given it will generate over
9++ , from a /: , supply and charge a :++ u1 capacitor to )++ , in under * seconds.
1or your less intense applications a fluorescent lamp can be powered directly from the secondary (without any other
components). This works reasonably well with a 1/)%T* or 1/*%T/: bulb (but don8t e2pect super brightness). >/
does get quite hot so use a good heat sink.
C1 1 uF D2 1N4948 R2
+------||------+ T1 1.2kV PRV 1K 1W
| | +-----|>|-----/\/\---+------o +
| R1 4.7K, 1W | red || !"k |
+-----/\/\-----+------+ || |
| #e" $|| +%|% C2
+ o----------------------------------+ || --- &'' uF
| red $|| - | 4(' V
| +--------------+ || |
| )1 | || !"k |
* +o 12 | |/ C +--------------------+------o -
VDC, 2, +----| 2N&'(( -+./0or P-*1&4
D1 %|% |\ 1 117 V Pr23.r# !"k-!"k$
1N4''7 /%\ | *.& VCT -e0o/d.r# red-#e"-red$
| |
- o------------+------+
Notes on Super Simple Inverter
/. .onstruction can take any convenient form % perf board minibo2 etc. Make sure the output connections are
well insulated.
:. ./ must be nonpolarized type % not an electrolytic.
). -/ provides a return path for the base drive and prevents significant reverse voltage on the &%6 =unction.
'ny / ' or greater silicon diode should be fine.
9. .: is shown as typical energy storage capacitor for strobe applications. 5emove -: and .: for use with a
fluorescent lamps.
*. -: should be a high speed (fast recovery) rectifier. However for testing a /49++? should work well
enough. 5: limits surge current through -:.
@. The polarity of the input with respect to the output leads is important. "elect for ma2imum voltage by
interchanging the black output wires.
?. Mount >/ (:4)+**) on a heat sink if continuous operation is desired. #t will get warm. <ther 4A4 power
transistors with ,ceo B C+ , #c B : ' and Hfe B /* should work. 1or a A4A type reverse the the polarities
of the power supply and -/ and interchange one set of leads (where a diode is used for -. output).
C. "ome e2perimentation with component values may improve performance for your application.
D. ;hen testing use a variable power supply so you get a feel for how much output voltage is produced for
each input voltage. .omponent values are not critical but behavior under varying inputEoutput voltage and
load conditions will be affected by 5/ and ./ (and the gain of your particular transistor).
/+. ;'54#47! <utput is high voltage and dangerous even without large energy storage capacitor. ;ith one it
can be lethal. Take appropriate precautions.
11. | | |
---+--- .re 0o//e0+ed4 ---|--- ./d ------- .re N5T 0o//e0+ed.
| | |
AmerTac Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
(1rom! (-ennis Hawkins (n9mwdFamsat.org).)
The 'merTac 1luorescent 3amp &allast is from a portable /: , light made in .hina for 'merican Tack G Hardware
.o sold in Home -epot stores. #t burned out after about )+ minutes of continuous use. (<H maybe you shouldn8t
consider duplicating this e2actly0 %%% "am) "o # decided to take it apart and see what was in there.
;hat it had was a very small circuit board (about /E:$ 2 :$). &oth the transformer and the transistor were melted
beyond recognition. The transformer was apparently custom made out of two 868 cores taped together. # have another
identical unit so # could read the transistor part number! :"-CC:. #t is rated C+ , * ' 9+ ; typical Hfe of )+ in a
T</:? package.
(nlike many of the others this circuit powers both both filaments in the tube but is otherwise very similar.
# have another identical unit which hasn8t been fried so # put a (, bulb in there and fired it up. #t is clear that only
one end has a glowing filament. #t is the end connected to pins * G @ of the transformer. The filament attached to
pins / and : appears to only work as a resistor. The circuit will not operate without the bulb so # wasn8t able to get
reliable readings.
Archer Mini Flashlight Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
The circuit below was reverse engineered from the 'rcher model number @/%)?:9 mini fluorescentEincandescent
flashlight combo (no longer in the 5adio "hack catalog). The entire inverter fits in a space of /%/EC$ 2 /$ 2 )E9$. #t is
powered by ) . size 'lkaline cells and drives a 19%T* tube.
This design can easily be modified for many other uses at lower or higher power.
o T1
+ o----+----------+----------------+ o
| | $66 +--------------+-+
| \ D 28T $66 | |
| R1 / 72* $66 +|-|+
| (*' \ +---------+ 66 | - |
| / | 66 5 &1(T | | F81
| | | o 66 7&2 | | F4-T(
| +------|---------+ 66 | - |
| | | $66 +|-|+
+%|% C1 | | F 28T $66 | |
--- 47 uF | | 7&2 $66 +--------------+-+
- | 1* V | | +---+
| | | )1 | 5 9 5u+:u+
| | C \| | D 9 Dr2;e
| C2 %|% |---+ F 9 Feed!.0k
| .'22 uF --- 1 /| |
| | | %|% C&
| | | --- .'22 uF
| | | |
o-----+----------+------+-----+
Notes on Archer mini flashlight fluorescent lamp inverter:
/. T/ is an 6%core ferrite transformer. The core is *EC$ 2 )E9$ 2 )E/@$ overall. The outer legs of the core are
/EC$ thick. The central leg is )E/@$ square. The square nylon bobbin has a diameter of *E/@$. There is a .
+:+$ gap (spacer) in between the two halves of the 6%core.
The )/*T < (<utput) is wound first followed by the :CT - (-rive) and :CT 1 (1eedback) windings. There
should be a strip of mylar insulating tape between each of the windings.
The number of turns were estimated without disassembly as follows!
The wire sizes were determined by matching the diameters of the visible ends of the wire for each
winding to magnet wire of known ';7.
The number of turns in the <utput winding was determined based on its measured resistance core
diameter and the wire gauge tables.
' *+ kHz ./ , p%p signal was then in=ected into the 1eedback winding. The amplitudes of the
resulting outputs from the -rive and <utput windings were then measured. 1rom these the ratios
of the number of turns were calculated.
:. The transistor was totally unmarked. ' general purpose 4A4 medium power transistor like a :4)+*) or
6.7:9 should work. 1or A4A types reverse the polarities of the power supply and ./.
"ince it is very low power no heat sink is used in the 'rcher flashlight. However for other applications
one may be needed.
). "ome e2perimentation with component values may improve performance for your application.
9. ;hen testing use a variable power supply so you get a feel for how much output voltage is produced for
load conditions will be affected by .: and .) the number of turns on each of the windings of T/ and the
gain of your particular transistor.
*. ;'54#47! <utput is high voltage and dangerous. Take appropriate precautions.
*. | | |
| | |
Energizer Mini Flashlight Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
The circuit below was reverse engineered from the 6nergizer model number unknown (worn off) mini
fluorescentEincandescent flashlight combo. The entire inverter fits in a space of /%/EC$ 2 /%/EC$ 2 )E9$. #t is powered
by 9 '' size 'lkaline cells and drives a 19%T* tube.
This design is very similar to the 'rcher model (see the section! 'rcher Mini 1lashlight 1luorescent 3amp #nverter
but eases starting requirements by actually heating one of the filaments of the T* lamp. Thus a lower voltage
transformer can be used.
o T1 o
+ o----+----------+--------+-------------------+ +----------------+
| | C4 %|% $66 < 1*T 7&2 |
| \ 1''' --- D &2T $66 +--------------+ |
| R1 / :F | 72* $66 | |
| &*' \ +-------------------+ 66 +|-|+
| / | 66 | - |
| | | o 66 5 1*'T | | F81
| +--------|-------------------+ 66 7&2 | | F4-T(
| | | $66 | - |
+%|% C1 | | F 1*T $66 +|-|+
--- 47 uF | | 72* $66 | |
- | 1* V | | )1 +---+ +--------------+-+
| | | =P>9*1' |
| | C \| R2 | 5 9 5u+:u+
| C2 %|% |---+---/\/\--- D 9 Dr2;e
| .'47 uF --- 1 /| | 22 F 9 Feed!.0k
| | | %|% C& < - <e.+er ?2".3e/+$
| | | --- .'1 uF
| | | |
o-----+----------+--------+-----+
Notes on Energizer Mini Flashlight Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
/. T/ is an 6%core ferrite transformer. The core is /E:$ 2 *EC$ 2 )E/@$ overall. The outer legs of the core are
)E):$ thick. The central leg is )E/@$ square. The square nylon bobbin has a diameter of *E/@$. There is a .
+/+$ (estimate) gap (spacer) in between the two halves of the 6%core.
The /@+T < (<utput) is wound first followed by the /@T H (Heater) ):T - (-rive) and /@ T 1 (1eedback)
windings. There should be a strip of mylar insulating tape between each of the windings.
The number of turns were estimated after unsoldering the transformer from the circuit board as follows!
winding to magnet wire of known ';7.
' /++ kHz ./ , p%p signal was then in=ected into the -rive winding. The amplitudes and phases
relationship of the resulting outputs from the 1eedback Heater and <utput windings were then
measured. 1rom these the ratios of the number of turns and winding startEend were determined.
:. The transistor was an MAID@/+. # was not able to locate specs for this part number but a transistor like a
:4)+*) or 6.7:9 should work. 1or A4A types reverse the polarities of the power supply and ./.
"ince it is very low power no heat sink is used in the 6nergizer flashlight. However for other applications
one may be needed.
gain of your particular transistor.
*. | | |
| | |
oc!et Fluorescent "lac!light Inverter #$%&'%"(
("chematic from! '2el Hanne (a2el.kFswipnet.se).)
This was reverse engineered from a toy pocket blacklight made in .hina. #t has been tested with tubes up to @ ;.
4.( +o 12V 4$ T12$
+ o---+-------------------+---------------+ +-----+-+
| | R2 $66 | |
| +--/\/\--+ W1 $66 +|-|+
| 47' | $66 | - |
+%|% C1 +-----|------+ 66 W& | | F81
--- 47uF |/ C %|% C& 66 | | &$
| 1*V +---+------| )1 --- .'1( 66 | - |
| | | 1$|\ 1 | uF 66 +|-|+
| C2 %|% | | +------+ 66 | |
| .'1uF --- | R1 | | W2 $66 +--+--+-+
| | +--/\/\--|-----|------+ |
| | 2' | | |
- o---+---------+------------+-----+--------------+
Notes on oc!et Fluorescent "lac!light Inverter #$%&'%"(
/. The original transistor is marked C+*+ .+J.. ' :4)+** works better than the original the tube starts faster
and the transistor runs much cooler.
:. T/ is a ferrite 6%core transformer measuring /?mm 2 /*mm 2 /*mm. The core seems to be * mm thick.
The turns ratio has not been determined. ;inding ;/ is made of K+.: mm wire the resistance is below /
ohm. The data for winding ;: is the same as winding ;/. ;inding ;) is made of K+.* mm wire and its
resistance is * ohms.
). The original tube is an 19T*&3& blacklight tube but the inverter has been tested with an ordinary 19T*
tube as well as a Ahilips @; tube. The @; tube causes the original transistor to run quite hot so using a
:4)+** or similar power 4A4 is recommended.
9. 9.*, seems to be the absolute minimal voltage required to start an 19T* tube. *, will start the @; tube
when a :4)+** transistor is used. ,oltage can probably be cranked up above /:, but that was the highest #
tried (-idn8t want to test when the tube blows).
*. .'(T#<4! The inverter can give a nice(L) shock when run with the original transistor on *,. ;ith a
:4)+** and higher supply voltage it can be nasty. 'void touching the tube terminals. The bottom of the
A.& can also give quite suprise as # discovered !%(.
*. | | |
| | |
Lo) o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter (
The circuit below was reverse engineered from a model number 13%/: 8Made in Hong Hong8 battery (C '' cells) or
/: , wall adapter powered portable fluorescent lamp. The bulb is an 1C%T*.
This design can easily be modified for many other uses at lower or higher power. 4ote that its topology is similar to
that of the circuit described in the section! "uper "imple #nverter.
C2 .'1 uF
+------||------+ T1 &
| | +------------+-+
| R1 1.(K | 4 o 66 | |
+-----/\/\-----+------+ 66 +|-|+
| 1(T F $66 | - |
| 1 $66 | | F81
+ o-----+----------|---------------------+ 66 5 &(' T | | F8-T(
| | $66 | |
| | 2'T D $66 | |
| R2 / 2 $66 | - |
| *8 \ +-------+------+ 66 +|-|+
* +o 12 %|% C1 / )1 | | 66 ( | |
VDC --- 1'' uF | | | +---+--------+-+
| 1* V | |/ C | |
| +----| (*'9 +---------------+
| C& %|% |\ 1 NPN 5 9 5u+:u+
| .'27 uF --- | D 9 Dr2;e
| | | F 9 Feed!.0k
- o-------+----------+------+
Notes on Lo) o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter (
/. T/ is an 6%core ferrite transformer. The core is *EC$ 2 )E9$ 2 )E/@$ overall. The outer legs of the core are
)E):$ thick. The central leg is )E/@$ square. The square nylon bobbin has a diameter of *E/@$. There is no
visible spacer between the cores but # did not disassemble to confirm.
The )*+T < (<utput) is wound first followed by the :*T - (-rive) and /CT 1 (1eedback) windings. There
should be a strip of mylar insulating tape between each of the windings.
The resistances of each of the windings was measured to determine the arrangement of the
transformer.
The inverter was run at =ust enough input voltage for it to oscillate (so the load of the fluorescent
tube would not affect the readings) and the voltages on all ) windings were measured on an
oscilloscope. 1rom this the ratios for the windings were determined.
'n estimate was made of the number of turns likely to be on the -rive winding based on other
similar designs. The number of turns on the other windings were calculated based on the turns
ratios. ;ire size is probably M)@ ';7.
:. The transistor was marked *@+D which # could not cross to anything. # would guess that a general purpose
medium 4A4 power transistor like a :4)+*) or 6.7:9 should work. 1or a A4A type reverse the polarities
of the power supply and ./.
"ince it is very low power no heat sink is used in this lamp. However for other applications one may be
needed.
load conditions will be affected by .: .) 5/ 5: the number of turns on each of the windings of T/ and
the gain of your particular transistor.
*. | | |
| | |
#ar*+s E&,M Eraser
(1rom! 7ary Aerry (perryNgaryFascom.co.uk).) # used this circuit based on this design to build an 6A5<M eraser
using the 9 watt 79T* germicidal tube.
The tube seems to like ?* ,'. in order to 8fire it up8.
# used a :4)+*) transistor and a commonly available commercial @ % + % @ primary :9+,'. /++m' secondary
transformer. 'fter :* minutes constant usage both transistor and transformer remained cool.
' variable A"( was connected and the circuit worked first time. The required ?* ,'. output was achieved with
only * ,-. input.
Lo) o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter -
The circuit below is the type used in ine2pensive fluorescent camping lanterns. #n this particular model an 1@%T*
lamp was used. #t will drive 19%T* to 1/)%T* tubes depending on input voltage. The power source can be a 9 to D ,
: ' power supply (depending on the size of your lamp) or a suitable battery pack. This design was reverse
engineered from a random commercial unit of unknown manufacture using a lead%acid battery battery that e2pired
long ago.
o T1
+ o----+---------+-------------------+
| | $66 o C2
| -1 | D 2'T $66 +-------||------+-+
| -+.r+ |- 72* $66 .'22 uF | |
| | $66 *'' V +|-|+
| | +-------+ 66 | - |
| R2 \ | 66 5 2('T | |
| 27' / | o 66 7&2 | | F81
| \ +------|-------+ 66 | | T( ".3:
+%|% C1 | | | F/- 7T $66 | |
--- 1'' uF | | | 7&2 $66 +--------+ | - |
- | 1* V +----|------|---+---+ | +|-|+
| | | | | | |
| | | +-----------------|------+-+
| | +-----------+ |
| -2 | | | | 5 9 5u+:u+
| %|% 5?? | |/ C | | D 9 Dr2;e
+-- --+--------+----| )1 | | F/- 9 Feed!.0k/@+.r+2/A
| | | |\ 1 2-C182* %|% D2 |
| \ %|% | /%\ 1N4''7 |
| R1 / D1 /%\ | | |
| 22' \ 1N4148 | | | |
| | | | | |
o-----+-----+--------+------+-----------+---------+
The appro2imate measured operating parameters are shown in the chart below. The two values of input current are
for startingErunning (starting is with the "tart button "/ depressed.
8.3: +#:e ---> F4-T( F*-T( F1&-T(
V2/$ B2/$ B2/$ B2/$
-------------------------------------------------------------
& V .9/.* , - -
4 V 1.1/.7 , 1.1/.8 , -
( V 1.&/.8 , 1.2/.9 , -
* V - 1.4/1.' , 1.*/.9( ,
7 V - - 1.7/1.' ,
8 V - - 1.8/1.2 ,
9 V - - 2.1/1.& ,
1' V - - 2.2/1.4 ,
Notes on Lo) o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter -
/. .onstruction can take any convenient form % perf board minibo2 etc. Make sure the output connections are
well insulated.
:. T/ is assembled on a square nylon bobbin )EC$ cubed. ;ind the :*+T < (<utput) first insulate with mylar
tape :+T - (-rive) ne2t and ?T 1E" (1eedbackE"tarting) last. <bserve directions of windings as indicated
by the dots (o). The number of turns for the < winding was estimated based on measured winding
resistance wire size and the dimensions of the bobbin.
The core is =ust a straight piece of ferrite /E9$ 2 /E9$ 2 /%)EC$ #t is fully open % there is no gap.
). 'ny general purpose 4A4 power transistor with ,ceo B C+ , #c B : ' and Hfe B /* should work. 1or a
A4A type reverse the polarities of the power supply ./ -/ and -:.
(se a good heat sink for continuous operation at higher power levels (@ , input or above). The type used
(:"./C:@) was a replacement after # fried the unidentified transistor originally installed (/+)%",:A++/).
9. Aushbutton switches are used to control operation. "/ ("tart) provides initial base drive to the transistor via
the 1eedbackE"tarting winding of T/ until the tube arc is established. 't that point feedback is sustained
via current flowing through the tube. ": (<ff) shorts the base of the transistor to ground to stop the
oscillator.
3ike a regular manual start preheat fluorescent fi2ture the start switch must be depressed until the lamp
comes on at full brightness indicating that the filaments are adequately heated.
*. "ome e2perimentation with component values may improve performance for your application.
@. ;hen testing use a variable power supply so you get a feel for how much output voltage is produced for
load conditions will be affected by 5/ and 5: (during starting in particular) the number of turns on each of
the windings of T/ and the gain of your particular transistor.
?. ;'54#47! <utput is high voltage and dangerous. Take appropriate precautions.
8. | | |
| | |
Medium o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
This circuit is capable of driving a variety of fluorescent lamps from a 9 to /: , : to :.* ' -. power supply
rechargeable battery pack or auto or marine battery. ;ith appropriate modifications (if needed) it may be used for
other applications like powering an electronic flash or He4e laser tube. The transformer will need to be custom
wound (by you) but this is not really difficult % =ust slightly time consuming for the @++ turn < (<utput) winding if
you don8t have a coil winding machine.
# have used it with fluorescent tubes of many sizes! 1@%T* 1/)%T* 1/*%T/: and 1:+%T/:. The arc will be
sustained with the filaments hot on an input as low as about ).* to 9 , (with a new tube) but during starting an input
voltage of about * or @ , may be needed until the filaments are hot enough to sustain the arc at the lower voltage.
Two nearly identical circuits are shown.
This design saves a couple of diodes but requires a centertapped feedback winding on the transformer. The
input voltage must e2ceed about 9 , for oscillation to commence!
+V00 o T1
o )1 +----------------+
| | $66
+ C |/ C $66
81 66 +------| =D1&'((T $66 C1
24T 66 | |\ 1 D 1(T $66 +----------||---------+-+
722 66 | | 72* $66 .''&9 uF | |
+ | -%- $66 *'' V +|-|+
| | $66 | - |
+--|-------------------------+ 66 | |
| | $66 | |
| | )2 %-% $66 | |
| | | $66 5 *''T | |
F81
| | C |/ 1 D 1(T $66 7&2 | |
| | ----| =D1&'((T 72* $66 | |
| | | |\ C $66 | |
| | | | $66 | |
| | | +----------------+ 66 | - |
| | | 66 +|-|+
| | | o 66 | |
| | -----------------------+ 66 +---------------------+-+
| | F 1'T $66
| | 7&2 $66
| | +---------+ 66 5 9 5u+:u+
| | | F 1'T $66 D 9 Dr2;e
| | | 7&2 $66 F 9 Feed!.0k
| +-------------------------+
| |
| R1 | R2
+----------/\/\/\--+--/\/\/\--+
22' 22 %|%
1 W 2 W -
The following slightly modified design starts oscillating at a very low input voltage (under : ,). This may
be beneficial when driving small lamps. The circuit behaves quite similarly in all other respects.
+V00 o T1
o )1 +----------------+
| | $66
+ C |/ C $66 C1
81 66 +---+----| =D1&'((T $66 +----------||---------+-+
24T 66 | %%|%% |\ 1 D 1(T $66 .''&9 uF | |
722 66 | %/%\% %|% 72* $66 *'' V +|-|
+
+ | %|% - $66 | -
|
| | - D1 1N4148 $66 |
|
+--|---------------------------+ 66 |
|
| | %-% D2 1N4148 $66 |
|
| | %%|%% %-% $66 5 *''T |
| F81
| | %\%/% | $66 7&2 |
|
| | | C |/ 1 D 1(T $66 |
|
| | +----| =D1&'((T 72* $66 |
|
| | | |\ C $66 |
|
/ | | | $66 | -
|
R1 \ | | )2 +----------------+ 66 +|-|
+
1K / | | 66 | |
\ | | o 66 +---------------------+-+
| | +-----------------------+ 66
| | F 1'T $66 5 9 5u+:u+
| | R2 22, 2 W 7&2 $66 D 9 Dr2;e
+--+---------/\/\/\------------+ F 9 Feed!.0k

The switching frequency is about :/ kHz and varies less than * percent over the range of input voltage for which the
bulb remains lit (it is significantly higher with no load % about /9+ kHz). 'n input voltage of about 9 , is needed to
start oscillation (reducing 5/ or increasing 5: would lower this at the e2pense of efficiency at higher voltages) but it
will continue well below ) ,.
The measured input current at various input voltages for two lamp types are shown in the chart below. ", ("tarting
,oltage) is the minimum input voltage required to preheat the filaments before the lamp will turn on (current is
lower until filaments are hot). 1& (1ull &rightness) is the point at which the lamp appears to be operating at the
same intensity as if it were installed in a normal //* ,'. fi2ture.
8.3: +#:e ---> F1&-T( F2'-T12
V2/$ B2/$ B2/$
---------------------------------------------------
& V - 1.&7 ,
4 V 1.7* , 1.(2 , -V$
( V 1.8' , -V$ 1.*' ,
* V 1.9' , 1.*( ,
7 V 1.9* , FC$ 1.7' ,
8 V 2.'2 , 1.8' ,
9 V 2.1* , 1.9' ,
1' V 2.&& , 2.'( ,
11 V - 2.&' , FC$
12 V - 2.*' ,
Notes on Medium o)er Fluorescent Lamp Inverter
/. T/ is an 6%core ferrite transformer. <nce complete the cores are installed on the bobbin with a : mm gap.
"ome e2perimentation with the core gap may be needed to optimize performance for a given lamp type and
input voltage.
6ach 6 core is /$ 2 /E:$ 2 /E9$ overall. The outer legs of the core are /EC$ thick. The central leg is /E9$
square. The square nylon bobbin has a diameter of *E/@$ and length of )EC$.
The @++T < (<utput) is wound first followed by the /*T - (-rive) and /+T 1 (1eedback) windings. 1or
convenience wind the - and 1 windings bifiler style (the two wires together). -etermine the appropriate
connections with an ohmmeter (or label the ends). The centertaps are brought out to terminals. Try to
distribute the < winding uniformly across the entire bobbin area by winding it in multiple layers. This will
assure that no wires with a significant voltage difference are ad=acent. There should be a strip of insulating
tape between the < and the other windings.
:. 3/ isolates the power supply. #t is :9 turns of M:: wire wound on a /E9$ ferrite core. The inverter works
fine without 3/ but seems to have a tad more strength at low voltage with it.
). The transistors are MO6)+**T (:4)+** in a T<::+ package) types but are not critical. However # e2pect
that some faster switching transistors would run cooler. 'ny fast switching 4A4 power transistor with
,ceo B C+ , #c B ) ' and Hfe B /* should work. 1or A4A types reverse the polarity of the power supply.
1or operation above about @ , a pair of good heat sinks will be required. However power dissipation in the
transistors does not seem to increase as much as e2pected % the base drive is probably more optimal at
higher input voltage.
9. "ome e2perimentation with component values may improve performance for your application.
*. ;hen testing use a variable power supply so you get a feel for how much output voltage is produced for
load conditions will be affected by ./ the number of turns on each of the windings of T/ the gap of the
core of T/ and the gain of your particular transistor. #f the circuit does not start oscillating interchange the
1 winding connections to >/ and >:.
@. ;'54#47! <utput is high voltage and dangerous. Take appropriate precautions.
7. | | |
| | |
"asic -.. / o)er Inverter
This circuit was reverse engineered from a Tripp%3ite $Aower%,erter$ Model A,:++ -. to '. #nverter % typical of
those used for camping or boating applications where the only source of power is an auto or marine battery. This
particular model is rated :++ ; continuous. The output is a @+ Hz squarewave and there is no regulation or precise
frequency control. ((nlike the other circuits in this collection it is 4<T a high frequency inverter.)
Modifications for higher or lower output voltage are easily achieved. 1or e2ample a fast cycle strobe requiring ))+
,-. would only require using three times the number of turns on the <utput winding and the addition of a bridge
rectifier to charge the energy storage capacitor(s). 'lternatively the inverter could be used as%is with the addition of
a voltage tripler. ' tripler rather than doubler is needed because of the squarewave output. (The 5M" and peak
voltages are the same so you don8t get the boost of /.9/9 as you do with the sinusoidal waveform from the power
company.)
& o
+12 VDC +--------+--------------+
o | | $||
| |/ C +%|% C1 $||
- F1 2' , +------| )1 --- 1' uF &1T D $|| o 2
| | |\ 1 -%|% 1*' V 71& $|| +---------o ,C <o+
\ -1 | %|% - $||
| PEr | - $||
| | 4 $||
+------+---|--------------------------------+ ||
| | | %-% $||
| | | | $|| 5 &*'T
| | | |/ 1 %-% C2 &1T D $|| 72'
| / | ----| )2 -%|% 1' uF 71& $||
C& +%|% R& \ | | |\ C --- 1*' V $||
1' uF --- 1(' / | | | + | ( $||
(' V - | ( W \ | | +--------+--------------+ ||
| | | | || 1
| | | +---------------------+ || +------o ,C
Neu+r."
| | | | * o ||
+------+---|-------------------+ +-------+ || T1
| | F 17T $||
| R& 2.7 1' W | 724 7 $|| 5 9 5u+:u+
| +----/\/\----+------------+ || D 9 Dr2;e
| |R2 2.7 1' W 1' o || F 9 Feed!.0k
| +----/\/\-----------------+ ||
| %|% F 17T $|| P2/ /u3!er@ ?ro3
| - 724 8 $|| Tr2:"2+e u/2+.$
+--------------------------------+
Notes on "asic -.. / o)er Inverter
/. .onstruction was all done point%to%point % there is no circuit board. 3ayout appears not to be critical.
:. T/ is a relatively large heavy laminated 6%# core transformer. The 6 and # sheets alternate direction to
assure a low reluctance magnetic circuit.
The core dimensions are )%)E9$ 2 )%/EC$ 2 /%/EC$ overall. The outer legs of the core are *EC$ thick. The
central leg is /$ wide. The square bobbin has a diameter of /%)EC$.
The )@+T < (<utput) secondary is wound first as 9 or * insulated layers followed by the )/T - (-rive) and
/?T 1 (1eedback) windings. There are insulating layers between each of the windings.
winding to magnet wire of known ';7 andEor measuring with a micrometer where possible. (The
-rive windings are actually wound using square cross%section magnet wire for ma2imum packing
density. This was estimated to be equivalent to M/) ';7 round wire.)
The inverter was run and the amplitudes of the signals on each winding were measured. 1rom
these ratios the number of turns were calculated.
). The transistor were marked @D%:+@. 6.7:D is a close match % high power amplifier switch % C+ , *+ '
)++ ; Hfe :+ min. :"-?D? is another readily available power transistor that should work. 1or A4A types
reverse the polarities of the power supply ./ .: and .).
The transistors are mounted on heat sinks which form the sides of the case.
9. .) and 5) are required for starting. "ince there is no source of current for the bases of the transistors other
than the 1eedback windings this provides a starting pulse to >: when the unit is switched on. 5amping the
input voltage slowly rather than using the power switch would likely result in the inverter behaving like an
inanimate ob=ect.
*. Measured frequency of operation was about *@ Hz. This is likely affected by nearly everything % input
voltage capacitance core saturation phase of the moon etc. Therefore don8t e2pect to drive a clock
mechanism from this thing with any accuracy0
@. "ome e2perimentation with component values may improve performance for your application.
?. ;hen testing use a variable power supply so you get a feel for how much output voltage is produced for
gain of your particular transistors. However "ee note ()) about starting.
C. ;'54#47! <utput is high voltage and dangerous % even more so if you increase its output for true H,
applications. <ver :++ ; is available continuously. Take appropriate precautions.
9. | | |
| | |
0p to 12. '3C Inverter from (42 ' Al!aline Cell
(sing the basic circuit of the electronic flash unit from a disposable pocket camera it is possible to generate any
voltage from a few , to )*+ , or more from a /.* , '' 'lkaline battery. ("imilar modifications could be made to
other pocket camera or e2ternal flash unit circuits.)
The specific circuit described below is derived from the inverter used in a Hodak $M'I$ disposable camera
electronic flash. The beauty of this approach is that the remains of these cameras are often available for the asking at
/ hour photo developing outfits since they are usually thrown away after e2tracting the film (though apparently
some are recycled this is probably the e2ception rather than the rule).
The original Hodak M'I 1lash (nit "chematic and Ahoto of Hodak M'I 1lash (nit show what you get for
nothing. 'll newer Hodak disposable cameras including the $1unsaver "ure 1lash$ and 'A" ('dvanced Ahoto
"ystem) $'-,'4T#I$ appear to use a similar if not identical circuit but # haven8t disassembled one of those as yet.
This is certainly useful intact for strobe and high voltage pro=ects but for the purposes of this discussion all we need
are T/ (which we may modify) >/ 5/ perhaps "/ or an equivalent ./ and -/.
&y rewinding the inverter transformer any output voltage up to about )*+ ,-. can be obtained from a /.* ,
'lkaline cell. More than )*+ , is probably possible but =ust thinking about winding the needed secondary makes me
tired0
The Mini Aower "upply &ased on Modified Hodak M'I #nverter shows the simplified circuit. The original circuit
board can be used and is very convenient though a more compact unit can be constructed if you use a bit of perf
board or your on A.&. 4ote that for higher voltages >: in the original M'I schematic may be needed. 1or low
voltage operation performance is much better without it. # don8t know what the break%even point is so you may want
to leave a spot for >: =ust in case.
The main difficulty is in disassembling T/ in a nondestructive way. #t seems that the ferrite core is held together by
an adhesive which is very tough and resistant to any solvent that won8t destroy the plastic bobbin and wire insulation
as well. Therefore you may need to sacrifice two of these % one so that =ust the ferrite core can be salvaged by
soaking the transformer in some nasty solvent (maybe lacquer thinner will work) to dissolve the adhesive.
1or the @ turn primary the number of turns required on the secondary is appro2imately!
N 9 * F Vou+ + 1.2$ / 1.2
assuming a small load on the output.
"o for! 9 ,-. 4 P :@Q for *+ ,-. and for 4 P :*@ )++ ,-. 4 P /*+@.
The original circuit topped out at about )*+ ,-. with 4 P /?*+.
#t may be possible to use multiple output windings to provide more than one output voltage but as will be shown
below all output power must be drawn on the forward stroke of the converter since the flyback pulse of the reverse
stroke is needed to drive the voltage on ./ and the base of >/ negative.
# have done the modifications for the 9 ,-. version by removing the original /?*+ turn secondary (# had to do this
anyway so # could confirm the number of turns for the circuit description) and replacing it with a :@ turn winding of
M): wire. (nfortunately # also had to 6po2y the half dozen pieces of the ferrite core back together after somewhat
destructive disassembly but # don8t think there are any significant gaps left in the core !%( (# confirmed that the
transformer still worked by installing another set of undamaged original windings and checking that it still charged
and fired the flash properly).
;ith no load the output reaches about * , in a fraction of a second.
;ith a /++ ohm load the output drops to a bit over 9 ,.
1ollowing a post to sci.electronics.design suggesting this circuit as a simple way of obtaining a dual op%amp supply
from a single 'lkaline cell (dual part as yet to be tested) we have the following discussion on the theory of
operation of this circuit!
(1rom! Tony ;illiams (tonywFledelec.demon.co.uk).)
$That sounds about right rough sums!
>/ bottoming%, is going to vary from about +./, to about +.), on the forward stroke
from no%load to full%load.
-/ R >/,be fwd%drop is going to similarly vary from about (+.? R +.)*), to (+.? R
+.@),.
,E.:(43oad) P (/.* % +./):@E@ % /.+* P *.+:,.
,E.:(1load) P (/.* % +.)):@E@ % /.) P ).D,.
9 , across /++ ohms is about /@+ m; not bad really.
;ell # still haven8t seen what recharges ./ negatively. "ome scope waveforms for ./
and -/ would be nice (hint hint). !)$
'fter noting that # was impressed that both our numbers work as well as they do Tony replied!
$-on8t be it was a pure fluke. The ,%drops were only guesstimated and things like
primary #5%drop were not even included.$
;ell #5%drop should be negligible % 9 inches of M:@ wire is only about .+/) ohms !%).
"ome additional info (after # took the hint) finally appears to have solved the mystery!
# checked the waveform across &%6 of >/. #t is around .@ , for most of the cycle with strong %@ , going spikes0 "o
where are they coming fromLLLL
Aossible sources include!
Transformer (T/) #nterwinding capacitance.
.ircuit board capacitance.
-iode (-/) =unction capacitance.
-iode (-/) reverse conduction.
# thought that maybe the relatively long recovery time of the standard%looking (though unknown markings) diode
(-/) is providing enough reverse current to turn off the transistor. # tested this by subbing both a fast recovery and
high efficiency rectifier % no difference. <H well maybe =ust a bit better performance !%). Aerhaps it still is the
reverse current spike as the transistor switches off that drives the base hard to %@ ,.
4ow here is the kicker (no pun....)!
Monitoring the waveform '.5<"" -/ % do you want to guess what it looks likeL
;e have a greater than //+ , :++ ns spikes occurring when >/ switches off0 7eez0 //+ , from a :@ turn winding
and a /.* , battery0 #t wouldn8t take much capacitance or reverse recovery leakage through -/ to drive the base and
./ negative by @ ,. 3ooking at the equivalent circuit!
> :F 47' :F
>11' V :u"@e o-------||-----+------||------+
G2'' /@ | %|%
o -
G* V :u"@e
I of about :@ p1 would result in an appropriate divider ratio. However this sounds high for the layout and :@ turns.
Then again stranger things have happened !%). &ut a combination of the reverse recovery conduction and higher
capacitance at low voltage as the diode reverses could probably do it.
Tony replies to this new information!
$Sou will recall that # was puzzled about energy transfer on the fwd stroke only. That
transformer is going to get stored energy on every fwd stroke and yet there appears to be
no means of dissipating that energy..... There is even no protection for the collector of the
transistor. #n fact # would suspect that that is part of the design in that they did not want
the energy clamped by the primary they needed it as a high voltage reverse dissipation in
the secondary.
Think varactor%action. 1or -/ being spiked from fwd conduction to //+ , negative #
would suspect that a :@p1%equivalent for -/ is quite reasonable. &earing in mind that we
have an inherent reverse%,be clamp # would not even be surprised if -/ could also be
allowed to avalanche.$
# =ust wonder how this design came about. The vast ma=ority of these simple flash inverter circuits use the traditional
blocking oscillator topology with a separate winding or portion of a winding for the base driveEfeedback. ('t this
point # have taken a look at over a dozen different types.) This Hodak circuit appears to be unique in letting the high
voltage (originally) winding serve double duty. #t probably does save * cents in the manufacturing cost of the
transformer by not having to have a separate winding. !%).
'nd Tony8s reply!
$# worked for a chap once (one Oevon .rossthwaite about ?+ now if still alive) who could
take a circuit and absolutely TsqueezeT the last ounce of performance out of it. This is
typical of what he would get up to. # did learn a lot from him but only partially because
my inbuilt design nature is still yer brick outhouse.
#f there are any &<1s aroundQ # think Oevon .rossthwaite in his early days worked for
"ylvania and for 7eorge Ahilbrick (before and after Teledyne entered the scene) both in
the "tates.$

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