[ARC5] Solid State Inverters

[Robert Eleazer]

I built a solid state 60W inverter based on plans in an old QST back in the mid-70's and still have the guts of it somewhere. Like the one showed in the link, it used two power transistors (PNP) a 24 VCT transformer and 4 power resistors. I was very impressed that it worked great the first time I hooked it up. Now that just does not happen! Like Edison, I am always very suspicious of such successes.

I suspect that one problem you are having is trying to exceed the rating of the transformer. And note also that just because the ratio is 24VCT to 115V that does not mean that the insulation in the transformer on the HV side will handle twice its normal voltage. I have a number of potted sealed military transformers and based on the insulation ratings printed on them, even they cannot handle jacking up the voltage on the secondary very much. 


I have been thinking about building another inverter for a BC-652-A. But I think if you want to go to 500V the simplest way is to buy two 12VDC to 220VAC plug in inverters, available for about $10 each, put the output of each one into a full wave bridge and filter and then series the resultant two DC power supplies to get the high voltage.

By the way, does anyone know how to turn down the output of one of those 220VAC inverters? The voltage would be too high for the BC-652. 

73's

Wayne

WB5WSV