Joule Thief

[Pirate88179]

Hi Pirate:
   Looked back but could not see the value of the cap. Did you by chance
get the value off of it?  Just curious of the uf and volts.

thaelin

@thaelin:

I see Freezer answered this already. I just wanted to add that my cap has no volt or Farrad markings on it at all.

@ Jesus:

Thanks for the link.  I will go there and check it out.

Bill   ***EDIT***  I looked at a bunch of those circuits there and the lowest input volts I could see was 4.2 volts.  Some were 6.  I didn't see anything there driving a tube with only 1.5 volts.  Did I miss it?  As I said, I didn't look at them all.  Thanks.

[WilbyInebriated]

good links jesus!

check out the royer oscillator one.

[nievesoliveras]

good links jesus!

check out the royer oscillator one.

I checked it already.

Jesus

[nievesoliveras]

Bill   ***EDIT***  I looked at a bunch of those circuits there and the lowest input volts I could see was 4.2 volts.  Some were 6.  I didn't see anything there driving a tube with only 1.5 volts.  Did I miss it?  As I said, I didn't look at them all.  Thanks.

Check DN64
Check DN61
The value of it also is that it has information on the transformer windings.
You need to get litle bit of circuits here and there and build with it your own circuit.
For example: The tube rtecommended on Dn8-1 is 12 volts.
The one we are using is 120-230volts.

Jesus

[Pirate88179]

@ All:

OK, this is weird.  I modified the circuit according to the instructions posted on the site that Freezer posted.  I hooked it all up tonight and...nothing.  But, when I tested to see if the battery was in the holder ok, the tube lite up.  After several tests, I determined that the only time the tube lights is when I either touch the battery, anywhere, (not real bright) or touch the copper lead from the battery holder. (very bright)  If I wave my hand about 6" over the battery, it lights up.  I went over the solder joints and made sure I didn't short out anything on the circuit board.  Everything looks ok.  Then, I picked up the circuit board to do another test and I got a good jolt of juice from where I was holding the board, which turned out to be where the flash tube was soldered to the board before removal. I gave up on it for tonight, but will try again when I can.  I can not figure this out yet.  My gut feeling is that if there is this much juice where the flash tube was, maybe we should be using it?  and, I figure I am acting as a ground of some kind which is why it only lights while I am touching the copper battery holder, or holding my hand near the battery.  Very strange.  But, I will figure it out. (hopefully)  I will post pictures either way after work.  Everything is exactly like the Fuji circuit posted by Freezer's link.  Everything matched up perfectly.
I installed a switch that even looked like the one in the photos that I got from an old flashlight.  I checked it with the meter and it works like it should.  Any ideas would be appreciated.  Thanks.

Bill