Greetings:
My first post, after much reading. If I do it wrong, please forgive a noob.
I have an inverter, 12v dc (nominal, actual more like 13.8vdc) to 120vac-ish.
I am aware that a 'stepped' approximation of 120 vac isn't quite the same thing as a real sine wave as I get from the local power company. I am also aware that motors and transformers don't 'like' the stepped square wave output' of this inverter nearly as well as a real sine wave, running slower, (a fan) and hotter, (both) with much lower efficiency. When running on batteries, efficiency is important!
What I am wondering, as I have an abundance of transformers of various types, is can I rewind one or more to use as an inductor that would smooth out the stepped square wave? If so, what aprox. would I need? I know, too open of a question. I have in mind either a microwave oven transformer, (MOT) or possibly a sodium vapor light transformer that could be rewound. (I also have several older, big transformers intended for florescent lighting, as well as mercury vapor lighting. Most of the florescent units are potted, so I discount them as a source of rewinding stock) I have rewound transformers many times, so this part doesn't scare me. But I need to know a starting point, as to what to shoot for, winding wise, transformer size wise, wire size and type, etc. And, mostly, is it even worth the effort? Has anyone ever tried this, and are the losses in any inductor worth the potential gain, assuming it even works at all? If an inductor is not a viable choice, does anyone know of another method? I also have a lot of high voltage AC caps, like motor start, and microwave rectifier caps. Any of these workable?
Thanks in advance. I have searched around, and could not find this subject discussed anywhere, so if this has been dealt with, I apologize in advance.
Junkman
<snip>
My first post, after much reading. If I do it wrong, please forgive a noob.
I have an inverter, 12v dc (nominal, actual more like 13.8vdc) to 120vac-ish.
I am aware that a 'stepped' approximation of 120 vac isn't quite the same thing as a real sine wave as I get from the local power company. I am also aware that motors and transformers don't 'like' the stepped square wave output' of this inverter nearly as well as a real sine wave, running slower, (a fan) and hotter, (both) with much lower efficiency. When running on batteries, efficiency is important!
What I am wondering, as I have an abundance of transformers of various types, is can I rewind one or more to use as an inductor that would smooth out the stepped square wave? If so, what aprox. would I need? I know, too open of a question. I have in mind either a microwave oven transformer, (MOT) or possibly a sodium vapor light transformer that could be rewound. (I also have several older, big transformers intended for florescent lighting, as well as mercury vapor lighting. Most of the florescent units are potted, so I discount them as a source of rewinding stock) I have rewound transformers many times, so this part doesn't scare me. But I need to know a starting point, as to what to shoot for, winding wise, transformer size wise, wire size and type, etc. And, mostly, is it even worth the effort? Has anyone ever tried this, and are the losses in any inductor worth the potential gain, assuming it even works at all? If an inductor is not a viable choice, does anyone know of another method? I also have a lot of high voltage AC caps, like motor start, and microwave rectifier caps. Any of these workable?
Thanks in advance. I have searched around, and could not find this subject discussed anywhere, so if this has been dealt with, I apologize in advance.
Junkman
<snip>
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