Joule Lamp

[Lynxsteam]

The Joule Lamp is a takeoff on the work many here have been doing.  Its a cross breed between Laser Saber's Joule Ringer 2.0 and a tesla coil.  I liked the simplicity and elegance of a transformer with a transistor that can light 110 volt lighting very efficiently.  I didn't like the buzz and the difficulty in finding the right E core transformer.  The simplicity and quietness of an aircore coil is convenient.
The idea of reverse biasing the transistor with the wire from the light is novel and interesting.  The small signal transistor works but is right on the edge at 220 ma and 12 volts.  I have burned up a lot of transistors trying to find the limit.
So I went back to the 2N3055 with a germanium diode across the emitter to base and bingo! no problems.  The light is very bright and I can adjust from 350 ma down to 200 ma by moving the primary coil down.  If I stretch the 27 turn primary the length of the secondary the ma draw goes up.  If I scrunch the primary down the ma draw goes down.
On 6 volts the light is dim and the ma draw is 90-135 so nothing spectacular except the light dims with lower voltage.
I wanted a 12 volt supply so the 2N3055 is the answer.
Everything else about the setup is the same just replace the smaller transistor with the 2N3055.  A Tip3055 would probably work fine too.
I attached a schematic.  Everything is the same except the transistor which is now the 2N3055 power transistor.

[conradelektro]

When I click on the Joule Ringer Thread http://www.overunity.com/10179/joule-ringer/msg322132/#new I get a blanc page?

@Lynxsteam:

Nice lamp, I will try your set up (no resistor from base to positive rail, diode from base to ground).

My coil-zilla (diameter 163 mm, length 340 mm, opposing coil halves) is almost ready.

The secondary (finished) has two opposing windings of 400 turns each (800 turns in total) and the primary (on the way) will have two opposing windings of 50 turns but a tap after each ten turns (100 tuns in total), so that I can test different step up factors easily.

This tapped primary should have about the same function as stretching or compressing the primary along the secondary. In my design, using two times ten turns of the primary will have the highest step up rate (intended for a 2 Volt to 3 Volt power supply) and using two times 50 windings of the primary will have the lowest step up rate (intended for a 12 Volt power supply).

Secondary coil: copper wire 0.3 mm2 with plastic and silk insulation (I bought the silk coated wire just for the looks)

Primary coil: bell wire with plastic insulation (the thicker insulation should create a longer primary coil to cover more space on the secondary coil)

Greetings, Conrad

P.S. The opposing coil halves were suggested by Peanutbutter 29.

[Lynxsteam]

That coil looks really great!  I like the idea of multiple taps.  It may work better than my small diameter ones. 
Today I found just the right sized plastic tube to go around the secondary.  Its a thin wall 1-1/2" drain extension from Home Depot.  Now I can wind my primary a lot better and have better insulation between coils.
I also found that LaserSaber's 2N3055 is the best for the circuit and there is no need for the diode.  Now its just the aircore coil and transistor.  The CFL is bright now on 12 volts.
I am going to mount the air core transformer on a board and show where the wires go.  I think it will be much clearer.  And then see how many bulbs I can light.

[b_rads]

@Lynxsteam:
Last night I wound a new secondary to the specs you have given.  I will try to replicate as close as possible to your working model before looking at any modifications.  Your DIY videos are great and this is going to be a lot fun.  I really like the idea of the spacer tube between primary and secondary, please let us know how that works out.  Have you tried a variable resistor to change the current draw and if so, does it work?

Thanks again,
Brad S 

[SkyWatcher123]

Hi folks, Hi lynxsteam, thanks for sharing again.
I will be trying this setup as soon as I find a 3/4" diameter tube of some kind, can the primary be wound directly on top of the secondary I wonder, we will see.
In meantime I will try my 1-1/2" diameter pvc tube that I already had wound with 30awg wire, will have to use two 18awg wires in parallel to come close to your 12awg wire.

Also, I cannot access the joule ringer thread either.

peace love light
tyson