Solar Garden Light Joule Thief HELP needed

[crowclaw]

@Flux4nergiser... Just noticed your thread!  Your solar switching circuit appears to have an error!! this may be the reason that you led is dim. The second transistor from the left in your drawing needs a resitor in it's collector to limit the current both through the collector and also to provide the correct bias current for your switching transistor. A 1k should do the trick, but you can go higher by experiment. I assume you have built the switcher as per diagram drawn... or have you drawn it wrong? As it stands the second transistor is switching directly across it's supply line when turned on!!! Kind Regards

[Flux4Energizer]

@Flux4nergiser... Just noticed your thread!  Your solar switching circuit appears to have an error!! this may be the reason that you led is dim. The second transistor from the left in your drawing needs a resitor in it's collector to limit the current both through the collector and also to provide the correct bias current for your switching transistor. A 1k should do the trick, but you can go higher by experiment. I assume you have built the switcher as per diagram drawn... or have you drawn it wrong? As it stands the second transistor is switching directly across it's supply line when turned on!!! Kind Regards

Crowclaw,

Thank you very much for seeing that flaw.
That's really a stupid mistake. I corrected it by putting a 1500 ohm resistor there (between positive and the collectie). Leds are a lot brighter now  .

Regards,

Flux

[kooler]

how much current does your setup pull in off mode..
i been using the photocell or the way lidmotor used alot..
and it pulls 800 ua's down to 720 ua's..
i would like something that pulled 120ua's or close..

flux.. i like your setup i never used a secondary on my coils in my solar setups..
i always used the pulse's going back to the battery to power my leds..
once i get the hot glue off my old 10 led solar lite i will get a pic or two of it and the circuit..
for the life of me i can't remember what hartley circuit i used in it..
last 4 months i even been forgeting ppl's names.. weird..

robbie

[Flux4Energizer]

Kooler,

I didn't measure the circuits consumption when it's turned off because i only measure the battery draw.
When the circuit is off the battery recharges from the solar panel.
But i did remember that i measured the 100K pot and it's at approx. 10K so the circuit would be pulling about
2V (solar panel) / 10K -> approx. 200ua (not considering the base).
It could be even better to put a resistor on the base af the first (left side) transistor but i don't know that for a fact.
In the next build i will experiment with that and let you know.
I would start out with a 1K resistor just to give it a try.

But kooler, are you still busy designing new JT circuits? I'm asking because i think your JT circuits rock man.
They work really well and i hope you will come up with new circuits which will be even better (in terms of less amp usage at full brightness).

Regards,

Laurens

[crowclaw]

It could be even better to put a resistor on the base af the first (left side) transistor but i don't know that for a fact.
In the next build i will experiment with that and let you know.
I would start out with a 1K resistor just to give it a try.

Hi Laurens... Yes you will need something like a 1K in the base of the first transistor also to limit the base current. Missed that one!!  otherwise your solar panel will discharge through the base junction. Regards Merv