12 Vdc Battery Operated 120 Vac Power source Circuit Diagram

This is the Simple 12 Vdc Battery Operated 120 Vac Power source Circuit Diagram. This simple 120 V: 24 V, center-tapped control transformer and four additional components can do the job. This circuit outputs a clean 200 V pk-pk square wave at 60 Hz and can supply up to 20 W. The circuit is self-starting and free-running. If Q1 is faster and has a higher gain than Q2, it will tum on first when you apply the input power and will hold Q2 off.



Simple 12 Vdc Battery Operated 120 Vac Power source Circuit Diagram

Load current and transformer magnetizing current then flows in the upper half of the primary winding, and auto transformer action supplies the base drive until the transformer saturates. When that action occurs, Q1 loses its base drive. As it turns off, the transformer voltages reverse, turning Q2 on and repeating the cycle. The output frequency depends on the transformer iron and input voltage, but not on the load.


The frequency will generally range between 50 to 60 Hz with a 60-Hz transformer and car battery or equivalent source. The output voltage depends on turns ratio and the difference between input voltage and transistor saturation voltage. For higher power, use larger transformers and transistors. This type of inverter normally is used in radios, phonographs, hand tools, shavers, and small fluorescent lamps. It will not work with reactive loads (motors) or loads with high inrush currents, such as coffee pots, frying pans, and heaters.