Mercury Vapor with Inverter

[David Chesmore]

Hi

The problem with runnign high wattage lamps from car batteries using
inverters is twofold:

1.  The current consumed for a 175W lamp at 110V should be about 1.6A
(175/110), this translates to just under 14A at 12.6V (100% inverter
efficiency).  For a 400W lamp, this would rise to 33A so any reasonable car
battery (e.g. a 40Ah) would last a short time.

2.  No inverter is efficiency and 85% is about right.

How about using actinic fluorescent lamps (e.g., 2x25W) which would last
much longer?  I realise the catch won't be as high.

Dave

Dr David Chesmore, FRES, MIAgrE
School of Engineering
University of Hull
Hull, HU6 7RX
England
Tel: +1482 465062
Fax: +1482 466664