Joule Thief

[mdmiller]

@jeanna

In fact changing the resistor is the next thing on my list of things to change......

I have had some test JT windings that refused to light with the 1K but I've gotten some blazing led's using a piece of automatic pencil lead (graphite polymer) in its place.  They seem to vary somewhat but range around 5 to 100 ohm.  I guess I need to pick up a few more resistors, but this works in a pinch.  Anyway, I am thinking you may be on to something. - Duane

[jeanna]

@jeanna

I have had some test JT windings that refused to light with the 1K

... 5 to 100 ohm.  ...

Duane,

First, I need to ask, are you talking about the joule thief with secondary?

5 to 100 ohm seems way low. I wonder how much joule thief - oscillation- is happening? Some, to be sure, or a led wouldn't light at all with one 1.5 volt battery.

Did you ever check out how long the battery lasted or how much drain was going on?

I was actually thinking of adding more resistance. I am glad you mentioned this. I will check both more and less resistance.

I love using a pencil. Did the pencil light up? There is a youtube on how to get emergency light if stranded . The guy lit a pencil lead with electricity.  So many ideas...

Thank you,

jeanna

[Mk1]

@all

I am trying to replicate my 60 volt (the toroid must have a bigger gauss potential)output and got 30 volt with the same design , i have replaced the 1 k resistor with a 5 k trim pot and then could control the output from about 12v to 45 volt(45v at 42.5 ohm), This mod is a must! a 1 k trim pot should do a better job fine tuning it.

There is about 8 different type of ferrite this is a good way to make sure you get the most of yours.

@mdmiller

Great work on that earth battery.

Edit : some more earth batteries should give you enough to get it fully working, this project it important because i can run from close to nothing , now the Baghdad battery isn't so useless.

http://www.cwsbytemark.com/CatalogSheets/Ferrite_datasheet_oct06/FR_MATL.pdf

[timmy1729]

@All

Whoa! My Kodak circuit is giving me a steady 283 vdc! Of course it is only outputting 3.5mA. But, I'm not going to be picky. This is cool!
That 283vdc does not feel good if you touch the wrong spot.
I put the positive on the blue square and the negative on the blue circle.

Should I try to put the positive and negative where the cap used to be? Also, would a smaller cap work in the cap spot and not blow up?
*** Ok, I quickly tested and, putting the positive on the bottom cap joint and negative on the one above that, I still got 283 vdc. So, I guess if I were to put a smaller cap there that it would blow up?

[Pirate88179]

@ MK1:

Somewhere back in these pages I suggested the possible use of a variable resistor to "tune" these toroids and now you have done it!!!  Excellent work.  I am glad you posted the value of the one to use because I had no idea at all.  I was just going to try a few of the ones I have laying about.  I believe Jim used one also if I am not mistaken although I can't recall the value he used.  No, wait, I think he used a rotary switch to test his different windings on his secondary.  I think you are right in that this will allow us to adjust and tune for a given toroid, wrapped with x wire and using x transistor.  This will allow all of us to see results similar to yours I hope.

I am still waiting on my toroids...no shipment came in tonight.  I hope they didn't back order something and this is holding up the works.

The one that you used, is that range enough?  I mean, can you see where the output is going up and up and up and then drops off as you tune it?  This is very good information you have posted, thank you very much!

@ All:

I was going to make another video tonight but I could not think of anything to do for it.  Once my other stuff comes in I should have plenty to film... I hope.


Bill