Friday, December 12, 2014: CFL inverters are portable, aesthetically designed and come with multi-functional features today, but the major breakthrough is in the different power ranges they offer. These inverters are efficient enough to offer power backup for basic requirements ranging from 50W to 75W and even up to 100W
By Shweta Sengar
CFL inverters are small portable inverters for home and small commercial applications. They offer a constant and effective power supply whenever there is a power cut or failure. CFL inverters have been in use since a long time and are constantly evolving in pace with the advances in technology. They can even be mounted on a wall, are low priced and the best part is that they do not require much maintenance. All this makes these inverters popular among households and small vendors who look for instant ROI.
CFL inverters are very basic in design. Their body is either made of durable hard plastic or hard metal, for strength. These inverters come with an internal battery that can be charged with electricity. Also, they have a holder to mount a CFL bulb. These inverters are equipped with sockets into which one can plug in a fan and a mobile charger as well. Therefore, CFL inverters are an apt choice for those who do not want to invest too much on their energy backup needs, since these systems are capable of fulfilling basic energy requirements.
The latest in the market
Keeping pace with the advances in technology and with consumer requirements, CFL inverters today have evolved tremendously, even in terms of their design. They come with a display panel which indicates the charging level. They are manufactured using premium raw materials and cutting edge technology. Apart from lighting up CFL bulbs, the latest CFL inverters can also light up LED lights. They are aesthetically designed and have multi-functional features, which can be run with the help of a remote control for easy operation. However, the major breakthrough in this field is the different power ranges that these CFL inverters offer today. These inverters are efficient enough to offer power backup for basic requirements ranging from 50W to 75W and even up to 100W, in the normal to high-end versions. The latest CFL inverters can allow the use of up to 7 CFLs of 15W each.
Microcontroller based designs: Most of the CFL inverters are transformer based; however, the technology is now shifting towards microcontroller based designs. Available with a built-in SMPS for charging the battery, these inverters are a complete unit working on a single PCB, which is very convenient during servicing or for replacement purposes. Also, most of the CFL inverters avoid excessive charging of the battery, thus preventing battery drainage, which in turn enhances battery life. The Rhino series offered by Natural Lights Pvt Ltd is a hybrid system that can run on 12 VA. This is a microcontroller- or DSP-based design, which can run on both AC as well as solar power.
Solar CFL inverters: This is the latest feature to be added to CFL inverters. These hybrid CFL inverters can be charged by both mains current (AC) as well as solar power. Not only do these inverters take less time to charge but they also have indicators to show the battery charge levels like overcharging, charging cut and low battery. Overload and short circuit protection are the other advanced features offered by the latest CFL inverters, leading to smooth, noiseless and smokeless operation. A dedicated slot for a solar charger is provided in the inverter from where a user can charge it using solar energy. Along with this, the inverters come with an option of attaching external batteries for additional power back up. These inverters have an inbuilt torch and various other features to suit consumer requirements.
Sturdy design: The latest CFL inverters are sturdy in design and have a long life. Instead of plastic, the body of a CFL inverter now is predominantly made up of a long-lasting steel cabinet, which is light enough to carry. While being portable, these inverters can also be mounted on a wall, in which case they do not require floor space. Apart from these specifications, CFL inverters these days are competent enough to provide power for playing DVDs and the radio as well. In fact, most advanced CFL inverters have a slot to plug in a pen drive. They also have built-in speakers and a radio to cater to the entertainment needs of a user.
Compact and aesthetically attractive: To meet the constantly evolving requirements of consumers, the players are not just adding technical features but are also making these inverters aesthetically attractive. The inverters available in the market today are sleek, compact and light. Luminous launched its CFL inverters under the brand name Cracker, which is a portable 45W home UPS system. It offers power backup through an inbuilt 12V SMF battery. The UPS system is equipped with multiple safety features like auto reset when the AC is recovering, and protection from short circuits and overload. It also comes with a sleep mode to preserve the life of the battery. Also, it comes in attractive designs and colours with a dedicated plug-in socket for CFL bulbs. This inverter is an ideal option for small businesses.
Making a purchase decision
There are a lot of choices when it comes to buying a CFL inverter. Not many big players are into manufacturing CFL inverters these days, Luminous being an exception. Consumers will find many local manufacturers who offer and sell CFL inverters under their brand names. These inverters come in various shapes, sizes and varied power ranges—basically, 50W, 75W and 100W. Depending upon the usage requirements, these inverters also come with a different number of sockets to charge mobile phones, plug in fans, etc. Here are a few factors that users should keep in mind before purchasing a CFL inverter.
Battery backup: Battery backup is the most important factor that should be kept in mind when making a purchase decision. The battery must be strong enough to provide heavy backup for at least 3-4 hours with the full load of CFL bulbs, fans and other functions like FM, speakers, etc. Most of the CFL inverters these days come with an option to attach an external battery, in case the CFL inverter is required to support additional devices. Before zeroing in on a CFL inverter, the buyer should also assess the power requirements of the inverter itself.
Design and durability: Design is another important factor to consider. It is of vital importance that the strength of the inverter is studied. One should check the raw material being used in the manufacture of a particular inverter. The body should be well built so that it lasts long. The weight of the inverter should also be known. In case the inverter is too heavy, portability gets adversely affected.
Features: With the progress in technology, CFL inverters are equipped with multiple attributes which one could only imagine a few years back. A buyer should select inverters that have multiple sockets for plugging in CFLs, bulbs and a fan. Besides, CFL inverters these days also have inbuilt speakers, a radio, a pen drive slot and a slot for the mobile charger as well. Buyers should go for the latest CFL inverters as they offer good value for money.
Maintenance: Maintenance is a big factor that should be kept in mind. The maintenance costs of the inverter and battery should not be high.
Warranty: CFL inverters usually come with a warranty of up to 12 months. Customers must be clear about the warranty offered by the manufacturers and retailers.
After sales service: Before buying the product, consumers should also check the after sales service provided by the manufacturer and retailer.
Protonics’ 50W CFL inverters
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3×15W CFL capacity
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Built-in 7AH to 12V battery
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Solar charging available
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Full charging at 100V AC
Luminous’ ‘Cracker’ CFL inverter
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45W
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Built-in 12V SMF (sealed maintenance free) battery
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Multiple plug points
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LED display
Priya’s CFL inverter
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12 volt 7.2A
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Standard battery
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Pen drive slot
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FM/in-built speakers
Pihips’ CFL inverter
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75W
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In-built LED bulb
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Cell phone charger slot
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Wall mountable
So-Kom’s CFL inverter
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75W
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LED indicators
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5 sockets
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MOSFET-based digital technology
So-Kom’s CFL inverter with external battery
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75W
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Facility for solar charging
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3 AC switches and 1 DC switch
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Option of attaching an external battery
Power Queen’s CFL inverters
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Charging voltage range from 100V to 280V
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Load: 100W (suitable for 7 CFLs of 15W each)
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Overload: 105W
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Battery:17AH-20AH sealed maintenance free battery
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Low battery cut: 9. 5V
