PhysicsProf Steven E. Jones circuit shows 8x overunity ?

[downunder]

  <snip>
    JS:  Thanks for the test on your device running on a single AA,  I really appreciate that. A regular AA non-rechargeable is 600 mA not the 2700mA like Xee uses, as that one has more than 4 times the output current.

According to wikipedia, the weakest non-rechargeable AA battery is 1100 mAh and to get a 600 mAh AA you would need to go with a NiCd rechargeable. Perhaps you are thinking of non-rechargeable AAA batteries which can be as low as 250 mAh according to wikipedia. I realise that wikipedia is not always the most reliable source, so if anyone can prove it wrong then you can feel free to just ignore this post. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AA_battery
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AAA_battery

[TEKTRON]

Nick -- right now, we're working on a STANDARD means of measuring the INPUT POWER, to compare various circuits reliably, repeatable by anyone with a voltmeter and a stop-watch.  Easy.
Does your circuit draw less power than mine?  we can soon know with a repeatable method.

I replaced my LED with a 1N4148 diode, from 2.55 to 1.5 V came out at 12.6 seconds -- still at 170 uW (OK, 169 by the calculator).

GAIN is of course the next question, and requires a method to measure the output POWER reliably.  Do you have a good way to measure Poutput so we can get the efficiency? 

I'm proposing a Thermal Wattmeter, given the strong AC components in the output typically... Still working on that.

Dr. Jones. Do you think this watt meter circuit will help determine Pout? ...attached

[JouleSeeker]

  Thanks for the schematic Xee2 -- very clear.  Will try to replicate tomorrow..

@Nick-- agreed, there are LOTs of circuits out there.  Xee2's is particularly straightforward and attractive.  Note:  One could use a larger-capacity cap if you are worried about missing the "sweet spot", or run over a shorter time --  so that the input voltage is nearly constant.

@dimbulb: 

I have seen that amatuer radio qrp contest clubs
have come up with a meter.
they seem to be
measuring OU also.

Both your statements are intriguing -- can you provide more detail or links?

@Tektron - thanks, will look at this tomorrow as its getting late here now.

[xee2]

Will try to replicate tomorrow..

The type of LED I used is the best I have found for very low power. Other LEDs will probably not be as bright. But you should be able to show that the circuit will work at 4 uA. You can lower the resistor value to make the LED brighter but this will also increase battery current.

[NickZ]

   Downunder and All:
   Thank you for the info on the AAs. I was not aware that they can vary from about 1500 to 3000 mA.  And the current is not shown on the batteries themselves. 
So, I'm afraid that unless we all use the same exact battery this test would not be very accurate either.
  But still, supposing that we use the most common and available AA,  a relative run time can be obtained.  A higher farad cap would also help. 
   The idea is to see if there really is any self-running aspect to this circuit, which can recycles the energy within the device, similar to the Joule Ringer.  And if that is not the case then, what advantage there might be over a regular Jtc.
   I personally feel that the additional energy that can keep a device running for months on end, does not come from recycled energy, but instead is drawn from the ambient.  But, that all needs to be proven.