Silicon ChipExtolling the virtues of fluorescent lights - February 1991 SILICON CHIP
  1. Outer Front Cover
  2. Contents
  3. Publisher's Letter: Extolling the virtues of fluorescent lights
  4. Feature: Electric Vehicles; Pt.2 by Gerry Nolan
  5. Feature: A Practical Approach To Amplifier Design by David Eather
  6. Project: A Synthesised Stereo AM Tuner, Pt.1 by John Clarke & Greg Swain
  7. Feature: Computer Bits by Jennifer Bonnitcha
  8. Vintage Radio: One thing leads to another by John Hill
  9. Project: Three Inverters For Fluorescent Lights by Otto Priboj
  10. Project: Build A Low-Cost Sinewave Oscillator by Darren Yates
  11. Back Issues
  12. Project: Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.2 by John Clarke & Greg Swain
  13. Serviceman's Log: Now look what ya gorn an' done! by The TV Serviceman
  14. Feature: Remote Control by Bob Young
  15. Feature: Amateur Radio by Garry Cratt, VK2YBX
  16. Feature: The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.8 by Bryan Maher
  17. Order Form
  18. Market Centre
  19. Advertising Index
  20. Outer Back Cover

This is only a preview of the February 1991 issue of Silicon Chip.

You can view 47 of the 104 pages in the full issue, including the advertisments.

For full access, purchase the issue for $10.00 or subscribe for access to the latest issues.

Articles in this series:
  • Electric Vehicles: The State Of The Art (January 1991)
  • Electric Vehicles; Pt.2 (February 1991)
  • Electric Vehicles; Pt.3 (March 1991)
  • The World Solar Challenge (April 1991)
  • Motors For Electric Vehicles (May 1991)
  • Electric Vehicle Transmission Options (June 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • A Practical Approach To Amplifier Design (February 1991)
  • A Practical Approach To Amplifier Design; Pt.2 (April 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • A Synthesised Stereo AM Tuner, Pt.1 (February 1991)
  • A Synthesised Stereo AM Tuner, Pt.2 (March 1991)
  • A Synthesised Stereo AM Tuner, Pt.3 (April 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Computer Bits (July 1989)
  • Computer Bits (August 1989)
  • Computer Bits (September 1989)
  • Computer Bits (October 1989)
  • Computer Bits (November 1989)
  • Computer Bits (January 1990)
  • Computer Bits (April 1990)
  • Computer Bits (October 1990)
  • Computer Bits (November 1990)
  • Computer Bits (December 1990)
  • Computer Bits (January 1991)
  • Computer Bits (February 1991)
  • Computer Bits (March 1991)
  • Computer Bits (April 1991)
  • Computer Bits (May 1991)
  • Computer Bits (June 1991)
  • Computer Bits (July 1991)
  • Computer Bits (August 1991)
  • Computer Bits (September 1991)
  • Computer Bits (October 1991)
  • Computer Bits (November 1991)
  • Computer Bits (December 1991)
  • Computer Bits (January 1992)
  • Computer Bits (February 1992)
  • Computer Bits (March 1992)
  • Computer Bits (May 1992)
  • Computer Bits (June 1992)
  • Computer Bits (July 1992)
  • Computer Bits (September 1992)
  • Computer Bits (October 1992)
  • Computer Bits (November 1992)
  • Computer Bits (December 1992)
  • Computer Bits (February 1993)
  • Computer Bits (April 1993)
  • Computer Bits (May 1993)
  • Computer Bits (June 1993)
  • Computer Bits (October 1993)
  • Computer Bits (March 1994)
  • Computer Bits (May 1994)
  • Computer Bits (June 1994)
  • Computer Bits (July 1994)
  • Computer Bits (October 1994)
  • Computer Bits (November 1994)
  • Computer Bits (December 1994)
  • Computer Bits (January 1995)
  • Computer Bits (February 1995)
  • Computer Bits (March 1995)
  • Computer Bits (April 1995)
  • CMOS Memory Settings - What To Do When The Battery Goes Flat (May 1995)
  • Computer Bits (July 1995)
  • Computer Bits (September 1995)
  • Computer Bits: Connecting To The Internet With WIndows 95 (October 1995)
  • Computer Bits (December 1995)
  • Computer Bits (January 1996)
  • Computer Bits (February 1996)
  • Computer Bits (March 1996)
  • Computer Bits (May 1996)
  • Computer Bits (June 1996)
  • Computer Bits (July 1996)
  • Computer Bits (August 1996)
  • Computer Bits (January 1997)
  • Computer Bits (April 1997)
  • Windows 95: The Hardware That's Required (May 1997)
  • Turning Up Your Hard Disc Drive (June 1997)
  • Computer Bits (July 1997)
  • Computer Bits: The Ins & Outs Of Sound Cards (August 1997)
  • Computer Bits (September 1997)
  • Computer Bits (October 1997)
  • Computer Bits (November 1997)
  • Computer Bits (April 1998)
  • Computer Bits (June 1998)
  • Computer Bits (July 1998)
  • Computer Bits (November 1998)
  • Computer Bits (December 1998)
  • Control Your World Using Linux (July 2011)
Articles in this series:
  • Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.1 (January 1991)
  • Fast Charger For Nicad Batteries; Pt.2 (February 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Remote Control (February 1991)
  • Remote Control (March 1991)
Articles in this series:
  • Amateur Radio (November 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1987)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1988)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1989)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1990)
  • The "Tube" vs. The Microchip (August 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1990)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (April 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1991)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (November 1992)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (July 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (August 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (October 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1993)
  • Amateur Radio (February 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (March 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (May 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (June 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (September 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (December 1994)
  • Amateur Radio (January 1995)
  • CB Radio Can Now Transmit Data (March 2001)
  • What's On Offer In "Walkie Talkies" (March 2001)
  • Stressless Wireless (October 2004)
  • “Degen” Synthesised HF Communications Receiver (January 2007)
  • WiNRADiO: Marrying A Radio Receiver To A PC (January 2007)
  • PICAXE-08M 433MHz Data Transceiver (October 2008)
  • Half-Duplex With HopeRF’s HM-TR UHF Transceivers (April 2009)
  • Dorji 433MHz Wireless Data Modules (January 2012)
Articles in this series:
  • The Technology Letters, Pt.2 (January 1989)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy (July 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.2 (August 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.3 (September 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.4 (October 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.5 (November 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.6 (December 1990)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.7 (January 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.8 (February 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.9 (March 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.10 (May 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.11 (July 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.12 (August 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.13 (September 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.14 (October 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.15 (November 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.16 (December 1991)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.17 (January 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.18 (March 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.19 (August 1992)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy; Pt.20 (September 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.21 (November 1992)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.22 (January 1993)
  • The Story of Electrical Energy (April 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (May 1993)
  • The Story Of Electrical Energy; Pt.24 (June 1993)
PUBLISHER'S LETTER Publisher & Editor-in-Chief Leo Simpson, B.Bus. Editor Greg Swain, B.Sc.(Hons.) Technical Staff John Clarke, B.E.(Elec.) Robert Flynn Darren Yates Reader Services Ann Jenkinson Advertising Manager Paul Buchtmann (02) 979 5644 Mobile: (018) 28 5532 Victorian Representative Hugh Anderson Ply Ltd (formerly McDonald Woodside & Associates Ply Ltd), 119 Market St, South Melbourne, Vic 3205 . Phone (03) 696 5411. Contact: Ian McDonald. Extolling the virtues of fluorescent lights In this month's issue we are presenting a compact inverter for running fluorescent lights from a 12V battery supply. There are three versions , catering for the very small fluoro tubes, up to those rated at 36W or 40W. We think that they will be popular for people who want to use fluorescent lights on boats, caravans and recreational vehicles, and on homes and farms which are far from the mains supply. The particular attraction of fluorescent lights in these applications is that they are so highly energy efficient - much better than incandescent lamps. All of which begs the question as to why fluorescent lamps have fallen so much out of favour as far domestic use is concerned. Why is it so? From our viewpoint, it seems as though there has been a concerted campaign by architects and interior decorators in home improvement magazines to deprecate fluorescent lights. They have been criticised because they put out a "harsh" light and have ugly fittings. And it is true that most fluorescent tubes do have a bluish light which gives a far from true colour rendition, compared to ordinary daylight. It is also true that most fluorescent light tubes emit a small amount of ultraviolet light which is regarded as undesirable (although it is far less than the amount of UV in daylight. When it is all added up, fluorescent lights have had a "bad press". It is about time they were put back into perspective. For a start, they are very efficient - about 5 or 6 times more efficient than typical incandescent lamps. They also last about 15 to 20 times longer than incandescents. But the potential energy and money savings are even bigger when you see the inefficient downlight fittings which are now advocated in kitchens and family rooms. The lamps used in these fittings are not only expensive but they tend to overheat and have a short life. In fact, it is now not unusual to walk into a modern kitchen which may have 600 to 700 watts of incandescent downlights on and yet still be poorly lit - so much for the vagaries of fashion. If you compare the cost of operating a twin 40W fluorescent light fitting with an equivalent amount of incandescent lamps (say 400 watts, 15,000 hours, 8 cents per kWH), the potential cost saving is around $600 if you include the cost of replacement incandescent lamps. Which means that the current kitchen lighting fashions are pretty silly. Leo Simpson Regular Contributors Brendan Akhurst Jennifer Bonnitcha, B.A. Garry Crall, VK2YBX John Hill Jim Lawler, MTETIA Bryan Maher, M.E., B.Sc. Jim Yalden, VK2YGY Bob Young Photography Glen Cameron Editorial Advisory Panel Philip Watson, MIREE, VK2ZPW Norman Marks Steve Payor, B.Sc., B.E. SILICON CHIP is published 12 times a year by Silicon Chip Publications Ply Ltd. All material copyright©. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent of the publisher. Printing: Magazine Printers Ply Ltd, Rozelle, NSW 2039; Macquarie Print, Dubbo, NSW 2830. Distribution: Network Distribution Company. Subscription rates: $42 per year in Australia. For overseas rates, refer to the subscription page in this issue. Liability: Devices or circuits described in SILICON CH IP may be covered by patents. SILICON CH IP disclaims any liability for the infriflgement of such patents by the manufacturing or selling of any such equipment. Editorial & advertising offices: Unit 39, 5 Ponderosa Pde, Warriewood, NSW 2102. Postal address: PO Box 139, Collaroy Beach, NSW 2097. Phone (02) 979 5644. Fax (02) 979 6503. ISSN 1030-2662 FEBRUARY1991 3