Paul Gerlach

I think that one needs 12 Volt AC to work or am I wrong? It's only to be sold in .... the Netherlands 😉

Here's more detailed information I just found: https://www.ursusmajor.ch/downloads/inverter-12v-dc-_-230v-ac-3.0-englisch.pdf

Well, the ALPY calibration unit obviously has a an inverter build into it as it uses 12 volt and a Relco. In the book 'Spectroscopy for Amateur Astronomers' from Marc F.M. Trypsteen and Richard Walker there is in appendix D a circuit depicted that converts 12 Volt DC into 230 Volt AC. So in order to avoid messing with a soldering iron the 'Chinese circuit' should do the same.

Louise, Hmm you may be absolutely right. Shows that I really need some help in this department 😉 I believe the working voltage of the starter bulb is about 80-90 Volt.

I'm also struggling with designing a calibration unit for the LOWSPEC that is easy to build for someone like me who has no experience in building electronic circuits. I've recently ordered a 12 Volt DC to 220 Volt AC converter board form our friends in China. Maybe this can bring me up to speed.

Thanks for the warm welcome.

I'm a amateur astronomer with a special interest in spectroscopy. I'm also the designer of the 3d printed 'LOWSPEC' spectrometer. At the moment I'm working on the new manual for the new version of the LOWSPEC which will have a new grating holder that can easily be swapped with a different grating without opening the instrument. I hope to upload the files just before the new year. Regards, Paul Gerlach