battery powered fluorescent bulb

[Brett Cummins]

Hey!
I'm trying to make a 9 watt fluorescent bulb to light up with a
battery. How many volts of a battery do I need. Just a regular 9volt
battery? How would I connect all of this?

-Thanks!

 

[John Popelish]

Hey!
I'm trying to make a 9 watt fluorescent bulb to light up with a
battery. How many volts of a battery do I need. Just a regular 9volt
battery? How would I connect all of this?

-Thanks!

First of all, a 9 watt load will kill a regular 9 volt battery in
minutes, if it runs without collapsing the voltage, at all. So think
either smaller bulb or bigger battery.

Here is an example of such a circuit:
http://www.aaroncake.net/circuits/flampdrv.htm

 

[L.]

I don't know what "wattage" this Fluorescent bulb is (its an F4T5D bulb),
but there ARE or WERE flashlights made - which on one end, had a regular
bulb, in the center on one side, had a fluorescent bulb. A switch chose
between the two. This unit uses 3 "C" cells for either purpose. There is a
circuit board in the flashlight body to jack up the voltage/current needs. A
sticker says not to turn on the flashlight in the Fluorescent mode, with out
the bulb in place. I can send a e-mail pic of it, if you desire. I've never
ran it endlessly for measuring time of battery life, but off and on, it's
lasted a little while.

L.

 

[John Popelish]

I don't know what "wattage" this Fluorescent bulb is (its an F4T5D bulb),
but there ARE or WERE flashlights made - which on one end, had a regular
bulb, in the center on one side, had a fluorescent bulb. A switch chose
between the two. This unit uses 3 "C" cells for either purpose. There is a
circuit board in the flashlight body to jack up the voltage/current needs. A
sticker says not to turn on the flashlight in the Fluorescent mode, with out
the bulb in place. I can send a e-mail pic of it, if you desire. I've never
ran it endlessly for measuring time of battery life, but off and on, it's
lasted a little while.

That bulb is rated at 4 watts, though it can be run at lower power.
http://www.prolighting.com/64wt52buda.html

 

[L.]

I didn't figure it to be too high in rating. It is ok to read a book by -
if need be, or to see one's way around. Not the brightest of lights, but
better than being in the dark.

L.

 

[Brett Cummins]

I didn't figure it to be too high in rating. It is ok to read a book by -

if need be, or to see one's way around. Not the brightest of lights, but
better than being in the dark.

Thanks for all the responses!...

However, if I connected two 9v batteries together to power a 4 watt
bulb, would that work better? Thanks again!

 

[L.]

I some how do not think so, but have never tried it! There is a circuit
board in this flashlight to boost the voltage, but to what, I don't know.
Your 9/18 vdc may work. You won't know til you try.

L.

 

[Glenn Gundlach]

Thanks for all the responses!...

However, if I connected two 9v batteries together to power a 4 watt
bulb, would that work better? Thanks again!

Lets see. You cut the power load in half (9 vs 4 watt) and double the
available power. John Popelish said 'First of all, a 9 watt load will
kill a regular 9 volt battery in minutes, if it runs without
collapsing the voltage, at all.' What you're suggesting might run 4
times longer-- not much reading time unless you are a real speed
reader.
GG