Simple But Low-Power Inverter

This is a Simple But  low-power inverter uses only 9 parts and turns 10 to 16 Vdc into 60-Hz, 115-V square-wave power to operate ac equipment up to 25 W. The first section of the 556 timer chip is wired as an astable oscillator with R2 and C1 setting the frequency. The output is available at pin 5. The second section is wired as a phase inverter.

Low-Power Inverter Circuit Diagram:

 That output is available at pin 9. Resistors R3 and R4 keep output transistors Q1 and Q2 from loading down the oscillator. The two transistors drive the transformer push-pull fashion. When one transistor is biased-on, the other is cut-off. The transformer is a 120 V/18 VCT unit that is connected backwards, so that it steps the voltage up rather than down. Oscillator circuit U1, R1, R2, and C1 operates from about 4 to 16 V with a very ~stable output.