inverter and tube lights

[Kiwi John]

I have an 800 wat inverter peaks 1000 watts
but it dies and I have to get it replaced if I hit the wrong switch and turn
on my florescent lights
there's 2 20watt tubes what's the start up pull on these things and what
size inverter would I need or would it be better if I just put lightbulbs
back in

 

[Landline]

Kiwi John you need a PURE SINE WAVE inverter for fluoro lights.

Your inverter must be a MODIFIED sine wave inverter.

If you are looking for an inexpensive (NOT cheap and nasty) PURE SINE
inverter that is good, the MI5080 150w from Jaycar is a real gem and around
92% efficient, and the MI5082 300w.
www.jaycar.com.au
You can look up the price in NZ in sheep dollars.
I hear you Kiwis have found a new use for sheep other than girl friends.
I hear you Kiwis have discovered sheep are also good for meat and wool.

Hi from your mates across the pond!

 

[Windsun]

Most fluorescent lights do not like modified sine wave inverters.

 

[ptaylor]

Most fluorescent lights do not like modified sine wave inverters.

Compact flourescents don't seem to mind modified sine wave power
much.They may have a tad bit less light output,but seem to work fine
otherwise. You might consider switchinf to CFL's and/or getting a sine
wave inverter.

 

[George Ghio]

Don't you mean a modified SQUARE wave inverter?

(maybe salesmen have spun the terms since i last looked)

Yep, When someone starts talking about Modified Sine Wave inverters you
know you'retalking to a used car sales man.

 

[Martin Riddle]

Sounds like a bad ballast transformer, or even a mis-wired fixture.
I have no trouble running a single ballasted 40W, and dual 40W fixtures off an inverter.

Cheers

 

[Steve Spence]

Why do you need a SW inverter (just a MSW with lots more steps) for
fluorescent? We run long tube and Compact fluorescents on various
inexpensive msw inverters, from $40 300 watt units to our $269 2500 watt
unit, with no failures. If he's blowing inverters, it sounds like a
ground problem.


Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org

Contributing Editor
http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

 

[Steve Spence]

yep, salesmen have spun the terms. modified square wave inverters are
commonly referred to as modified sine wave units in advertisements. But
then again, a "Sine Wave" unit is a MSW with lots more steps, as only a
rotary unit is "Pure Sine".

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org

Contributing Editor
http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

 

[Steve Spence]

Normally, I do not like to disagree with those in the business, but we
have a variety of long tube and Compact Fluorescent lights running on a
$40 300 watt inverter and a $269 2500 watt inverter, with no issues.
These are garden variety mass market msw inverters.

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org

Contributing Editor
http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

 

[Steve Spence]

Check your grounds. Sounds like you have a short. The power requirements
of properly operating fluorescents is well within the capabilities of
your inverter. I run two 4x20 tube unit on a 300 watt msw inverter.

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org

Contributing Editor
http://www.off-grid.net
http://www.rebelwolf.com/essn.html

 

[Kiwi John]

ok sheep jokes aside kiwi john live near rubyvale

yea autopro replaced it for me again so i felt guilty and put bulbs
back in saves a hassle

oh and theres a pic here of an aussie going out for a date you note by
the ground behind him and all the red dirt it cant be a kiwi
www.homepages.ihug.com.au/~therileys its on i think my favorite pics
page !!!!

if you are interesed thats our sapphire claim in Divide also as well as a
bit of Capella and some of our place in New Zealand at Danseys Pass

kiwi john

 

[Kiwi John]

any idea where i can get 12 volt ones in aussie

 

[Kiwi John]

shit theres a thought i dont ever remember seeing a ground bar anywhere
there is this a problem as up till recently i have ovly been using
gennies

there no ground off thwe power board

should i put one in off the nutral (neg )side of things

 

[Kiwi John]

was from Dunedin over there

ok all i do for the inverter is disconect the lead from the gennie and run
the inverter from 6 12volt bats using a heavy duty cabe with male plugs at
both ends and turn on the switch
the inverter is a cheapie inv800 from autopro

the video player dosent like the gennie but works with the inverter is
that a clue somewhere there but the tv works ok
kiwi john

 

[Hank McCall]

I have an 800 wat inverter peaks 1000 watts
but it dies and I have to get it replaced if I hit the wrong switch and turn
on my florescent lights
there's 2 20watt tubes what's the start up pull on these things and what
size inverter would I need or would it be better if I just put lightbulbs
back in

The flourescent tube "lights" by using a starter circuit which generates
a momemtary high voltage across the tube. If some of that spike reaches
back to the inverter it could kill the switching elements. Try plugging
the florescents into a computer type surge protector to kill the spike.

 

[Kiwi John]

before i try that aNYONE ELSE THINK IT WILL WORK CAUSE AUTOPRO IS RUNNING
THIN WITH ME AT THE MOMENTY (bloody capslock)
and if i p[lug it in and it dont work then its back to the drawing board

 

[Laurie]

Don't waste your time trying to light conventional lights.
See electroluminescent lighting:
http://www.allelectronics.com/index.html
search for "ccft"

Laurie
=====

 

[Steve Spence]

I wouldn't say I'm wasting my time. My $269 2500 watt inverter keeps my
$3 15watt CF's lit just fine thank you. I don't need EL's .....

Steve Spence
Dir., Green Trust
http://www.green-trust.org