fun with a broken CFL

I read this on the web:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Take-apart-a-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb/

and thought, why not, I've got a dremel and a dead 25W CFL, let's look
for neat electronics inside.

I also saw something about running the CFL mercury bulb at reduced
wattage, at 5V:
http://www.instructables.com/id/SKDOCN6FCHYO8RE/

so now I'm wondering, how can you run a CFL bulb on DC?

Sure, I understand that a CCFL inverter might do the trick, but that
kind of defeats the purpose of using cheap parts to run a broken bulb
that could be bought for new, for under $2 when on sale....

Would a 555 switching 12VDC at several kHz excite a CFL? Or a boost
converter, or... ???

Thanks,

Michael

 

[Phil Allison]

<mrdarrett@gmail.com

I read this on the web:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Take-apart-a-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb/

and thought, why not, I've got a dremel and a dead 25W CFL, let's look
for neat electronics inside.

I also saw something about running the CFL mercury bulb at reduced
wattage, at 5V:
http://www.instructables.com/id/SKDOCN6FCHYO8RE/

so now I'm wondering, how can you run a CFL bulb on DC?

** You use an inverter circuit **designed** for 12 volt DC - fool.

Eg:

http://www.zetex.com/3.0/appnotes/apps/an1.pdf

Use Google to find schematics for higher wattages.




...... Phil

 

On Oct 7, 6:46 pm, "Phil Allison" <philalli...@tpg.com.au> wrote:

mrdarr...@gmail.com

I read this on the web:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Take-apart-a-Compact-Fluorescent-Bulb/

and thought, why not, I've got a dremel and a dead 25W CFL, let's look
for neat electronics inside.

I also saw something about running the CFL mercury bulb at reduced
wattage, at 5V:
http://www.instructables.com/id/SKDOCN6FCHYO8RE/

so now I'm wondering, how can you run a CFL bulb on DC?

** You use an inverter circuit **designed** for 12 volt DC - fool.

Eg:

http://www.zetex.com/3.0/appnotes/apps/an1.pdf

Use Google to find schematics for higher wattages.

..... Phil

Transformer with five windings, huh? Wow...

M