Low-Energy Light Bulbs & Inverters

[Mark Stevens]

Can low-energy light bulbs be run okay from modified sine wave
inverters (attached to a 12v battery supply). I've heard there's a
problem with fluorescent tubes and this setup. And as low-energy light
bulbs seem similar in design and light quality I was just wondering...

 

[TimPerry]

Can low-energy light bulbs be run okay from modified sine wave
inverters (attached to a 12v battery supply). I've heard there's a
problem with fluorescent tubes and this setup. And as low-energy light
bulbs seem similar in design and light quality I was just wondering...

here is what one maker has to say about it:


http://www.xantrex.com/support/readfaq.asp?did=268&p=1348


Here are a few pointers about which kind of inverter to use:



In general, any device that senses either voltage peaks or zero crossings
could have problems when running from MSW. Devices such as these should be
run from TSW inverters. Ham radio and CB radio operators may notice RF
noise from MSW inverters; in that case do not run the radio and the inverter
at the same time. Electronics that modulate RF (radio frequency) signals on
the AC line will not work and may be damaged. You may notice hum or buzz in
the audio of TV's, radios and satellite systems used with MSW inverters.
Audiophiles or professionals using sophisticated audio, remote measurement,
surveillance or telemetry equipment should use TSW.



Examples of problem devices are motor speed controllers employing triacs,
and some small battery rechargers that do not incorporate a transformer
between the utility power and the load. To help you visualize this, if
there isn't a 'wall wart' between the battery charger (or the battery in the
device) and the AC plug, don't use MSW.



Please note two other common problem loads, electric shavers and emergency
flashlights. Both of these items have batteries in them but connect
directly into the wall to charge, without an external transformer. Don't
use items like these with an MSW inverter. If you do use an MSW inverter
with a transformer-less charger, your product will likely be damaged.
Garage door openers, laser printers and large strobes used in photography
have all been reported as trouble loads for MSW inverters; they either don't
work at all or stop working entirely, so don't take a chance - use TSW.



As a general rule, products operating through an AC adapter will work fine
from an MSW inverter. These include laptops and cell phone chargers, video
games, camcorder and digital camera chargers. Televisions generally work
well; some VCR's with inexpensive power supplies run poorly. Consider
switching to another brand of VCR in that case.

 

[Ben Miller]

In general, any device that senses either voltage peaks or zero crossings
could have problems when running from MSW.

Regarding modied SQUARE wave inverters (the terminology depends on whether
you sell them or buy them!)

I think that most peak-sensing loads will work fine. That includes
switch-mode computer power supplies. After all, the first thing they do is
charge a DC bus up to the peak value, so what difference does the wave shape
make?

I agree on the zero-crossing devices. They will be in trouble.

As a general rule, products operating through an AC adapter will work fine
from an MSW inverter. These include laptops and cell phone chargers,
video
games, camcorder and digital camera chargers. Televisions generally work
well; some VCR's with inexpensive power supplies run poorly. Consider
switching to another brand of VCR in that case.

I would be careful with wall warts, chargers, or any appliances that use a
linear power supply (transformer/diode/capacitor). The transformer is likely
to run much hotter due to the harmonic voltage content. Switch-mode types,
such as laptops, should be fine, since they rectify first, so harmonics
don't matter.


Ben Miller

 

[Palindr☻me]

Regarding modied SQUARE wave inverters (the terminology depends on whether
you sell them or buy them!)

I think that most peak-sensing loads will work fine. That includes
switch-mode computer power supplies. After all, the first thing they do is
charge a DC bus up to the peak value, so what difference does the wave shape
make?

I agree on the zero-crossing devices. They will be in trouble.

<snip>
Won't it depends on the use that is being made of the zero crossing?

If it is purely being used as a supply-derived clock, I would have
thought it would be fine.

 

[TIM PERRY]

<snip>
Won't it depends on the use that is being made of the zero crossing?

If it is purely being used as a supply-derived clock, I would have
thought it would be fine.

please note that this was a reply to a question on sep 5, 2005 where i
merely offered what information a manufacturer had to say about the subject.


the original question is as follows:

Can low-energy light bulbs be run okay from modified sine wave
inverters (attached to a 12v battery supply). I've heard there's a
problem with fluorescent tubes and this setup. And as low-energy light
bulbs seem similar in design and light quality I was just wondering...

here is what one maker has to say about it:


http://www.xantrex.com/support/readfaq.asp?did=268&p=1348


for the convenience of the poster i added the text to the reply.

 

[Palindr☻me]

please note that this was a reply to a question on sep 5, 2005 where i
merely offered what information a manufacturer had to say about the subject.


the original question is as follows:





here is what one maker has to say about it:


http://www.xantrex.com/support/readfaq.asp?did=268&p=1348


for the convenience of the poster i added the text to the reply.

Thanks, I only have an incomplete thread here.

I did "lose" an auto transformer, running it on a 110V 60Hz nominal
supply, stepping it up to power a 240V 50Hz nominal TSW UPS. Years ago
and in Haiti. Wondering what killed it has always been lurking in the
back of my mind, ever since. Until now...

Of course what happened was that everything was working fine, when the
transformer was powered by Haitian mains power. The TSW UPS was an
online type and quite happily ran of a 60 Hz supply, generating a 50Hz
supply...

But the mains supply must have gone off during the night and then back
on before I woke. The building's inverter would have taken over and
that will be what killed the transformer...the main inverter was an
MSW..Of course the UPS kept the load going. So, in the morning I found a
dead transformer and the UPS running on batteries.

Up until now, I had rationalised things into the theory that the UPS (a
1000W one) load must have gone up during the night. It was only running
at 65W load. The poor little transformer was only rated at 300W (all I
could find in Port au Prince at the time). But I couldn't find any
evidence to show that the load would have increased.. I put it down as
unexplained - but shortly after the inverter was replaced by a genny and
a 2kW transformer arrived from the US..

There you go. Isn't usenet wonderful? Even at 1:15 in the morning it
solves riddles..