A fluorescent is a kind of light bulbs that get high popular to use in a house. But sometimes you need to use it with battery, 6V or 12V.  It cannot light up. Here are 3 circuits of Fluorescent Driver .  You may get ideas to fix your projects or learning.  Let’s get started.

4W Fluorescent driver using 555

This is 4W 12V fluorescent lamp driver circuit. Using a 555 timer as main parts. When it uses 12V battery has consumption current about 300 mA. You may use a 12V Adapter or 12V battery. The advantage of this circuit has a lot of brightness using less energy.

How it works

In the circuit below.  The 555 is working in astable multivibrator mode. Which the output current will be increased by transistor Q1. Then, it will drive a transformer with a high current at the collector of Q1.  It should be mounted with enough heat sink.

Figure 1 Schematic diagram of 4W Fluorescent lamp driver

The transformer will convert low voltage AC to a high voltage to drive a fluorescent light up.

Setting

First of all, apply the power supply to the circuit. We need to adjust VR1-5K. Use a multimeter at ammeter range.  To measure the current flowing through in the circuit. Then, partially adjust VR1 to read current about 300 mA.

Which the fluorescent lamp lights in maximum. You need to be careful with high voltage at the transformer. If you touch it, you may be fatal. So, It should be installed in a sealed box.

Parts you will need

R1, R2: 1.5K Resistors 0.5W
VR1: 5K Potentiometer
C1: 100nF (0.1uF) 50V Ceramic
IC1: NE555P Timer
Q1: BD243C Transistor
T1: Transformer 6-0-6 / 220V
4watts fluorescent 6 inch

Figure 2 the components layouts on solderable PC breadboard

6V Fluorescent driver circuit

This is a small circuit, a few components, and light. You can get it is portable to gets a fluorescent light. Which they use a power supply with four of 1.5V AA battery only.

How it works

See the circuit below.  When you press a switch-S1. Then, capacitor-C1 charge fully via R1 and R2. While C1 will charge fully. It makes the voltage to bias  Q2.  Next, Q2 is biased and the Q1 is also running by biasing of Q1.

After that, the high current from a battery can flow to a primary coil (6V-0V) of transformer-T1 through work of Q1.

While the Q1 works. The voltage drops across C2 is low down. Next, Q2 will be stopped. The C2 will gradually discharge through R1 and R2. Completely, Q2 will begin running again.

Working like this makes the voltage at the primary coil of T1 AC voltage.  And it induced current to the secondary coil is a high voltage approximately 220V.  It makes the fluorescent glow up.

Note:

I search other transistors that you can get it.
Q1: 2SD234 NPN transistor 60V, 3A, 25W, 3MHz.  The equivalents are: BD241A, BD535, BD935, 2SC3179.
Q2: 2SA733 PNP transistor 60V, 0,1A, 0,25W, 180MHz. The equivalents are: BC212, BC257, BC307, BC557, BC212L 2N4061 KT3107K
T1: 300mA 6V transformer

12V Fluorescent blinking light

Here is a blinking light for a 12V battery. It can power a small fluorescent light bulb.  See in the circuit below. It uses the relay.   To converts DC voltage of battery into AC voltage. This form is a mechanical technique without any semiconductor, transistor, IC, diode.

The relay will turn on and off the 12V Car battery. Each time of relay is opened circuit. The induction happens at a coil of the relay.  Also it induction from a low voltage at primary to high voltage at secondary of the transformer.

Which this high voltage can make a 24 inches fluorescent lamp glows.  And it is flashing as the emergency is when your automobile has a problem.

Even this circuit is simple and old. But sometimes you may need to use it.

‘Keep reading: High power LED flashlight’ »

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