Joule Ringer!

[b_rads]

This is fantastic teamwork for people who have never met!  We are discovering and learning on a daily basis and putting the knowledge to work.

Lynxsteam - you are preaching to the choir, I could not agree more.  As you have said, this is just so darn much fun.  Regret that I do not have more time to devote to this project.

ConradElektro - connecting those 2 primaries in series really does lower the current draw.  I think it might be time to replace my transistor as my current levels are jumping around some without changing anything.  I have really abused that tranny with testing and I want to get back to the lower current draw.

JouleSeeker - I cannot thank you enough for sorting out my numbers for me.  I am thrilled that we see similiar results.  For all, cannot stress enough the importance of the light box.  Without confirmation from the Professor on this, everything else is speculative.

Afterthought - when making your light box, choose a power strip that does not have the on button indicator light.  I replaced mine and it did make a small difference.

[NickZ]

   
   Guys: 
   Thanks to all for your great tests. It certainly saves the rest of us all the time to go through the same experimental process. Especially when using several bulbs, this has already saved much of the normal output consumption and expense. And makes the use of smaller solar panels and much cheaper storage batteries now very feasible to many people anywhere in the world.
   The question that I have is: Has anyone tried to place the 10 or so primary windings over on the outside of any preexisting windings on already wound E-cores? As possibly by doing so, some of the used already wound E-cores can be made to be used, as they come, with only a little modification to their original windings or connection points.
  Is this even possible???
                                      NickZ

[conradelektro]

I did some more tests and some scope shots (see attached picture).

What I think is happening:  The power supply tries to prohibit a current feedback from the circuit. So, it will be better to use a battery instead of a power supply, because the power supply becomes part of the circuit and influences it (by attempting to regulate voltage).

I put some double sided sticky tape between the halves of the E-Core and it practically eliminated the screeching (and one can pull the Ferrite halves apart when needed, which would be difficult when glue is used).

The tests and scope shots where done at 12 Volt with a 9 Watt unmodified LED lamp for 110V - 240V.

Greetings, Conrad

[Lynxsteam]

Conradelektro - I am glad the double sided tape worked for you.  The screeching isn't tolerable, is it?  And you are right you can take apart while experimenting.  I glued mine because I was happy with performance and I can't get more wire in.  Try a second layer of tape and it might just quiet down.  I know in some applications gapped E-Cores are specified and that is about what we get when we separate the E-Cores with tape or glue.

Nick - I like your idea about using "found" E cores but how will you know what you have for turns.  I suppose you could just give it a try.  I thought it was easier to just cut off all the windings and start new.

[NickZ]

   Conradelektro and All:
   I've just seen a video (I forget which one it was now) where one half of the E-core was pulled away from the other half slightly, and the light got brighter yet, and noise stopped, entirely. But, the wattage and draw went up somewhat as a result. So, for higher light output that can be tried, especially if the draw is not much of a concern, as when using solar as a source.

  Thanks for the tip on using tape in between the two halves of the E-core. 
  Someone also mentioned to dip the whole core into varnish, or to use E-poxy glue.
That noise would not be acceptable to me, as it would drive me nuts, and I just would not be able to handle it.
  Thanks again, and good luck with your tests.
                                                                                                                   
   NickZ