Joule Thief

[Pirate88179]

@ Cap:

No, I have not...but now that you suggested it I will.  I think I see what you are getting at.  If it is a chance for more light, I will do it, ha ha.


@ All:

I wanted to mention this observation to you.  When lighting the 6" tube (4 watt I think?) the transformer was singing in a high frequency squeal which xee2 explained was the wires moving.  Well, as my tubes got longer this got a little quieter.  Now with 2 48" tubes back to back, the circuit is totally quiet and even after running for over 5 minutes while I was trying to get pics, the transistor was cool.  I don't know if it is resonance or not but this circuit seems to like this larger load for whatever reason.  Of course, maybe this circuit gets quiet and cool just before it blows.....who knows?

I hope someone else replicates this so I know I am not nuts.



Bill

[Freezer]

@ Cap:

No, I have not...but now that you suggested it I will.  I think I see what you are getting at.  If it is a chance for more light, I will do it, ha ha.


@ All:

I wanted to mention this observation to you.  When lighting the 6" tube (4 watt I think?) the transformer was singing in a high frequency squeal which xee2 explained was the wires moving.  Well, as my tubes got longer this got a little quieter.  Now with 2 48" tubes back to back, the circuit is totally quiet and even after running for over 5 minutes while I was trying to get pics, the transistor was cool.  I don't know if it is resonance or not but this circuit seems to like this larger load for whatever reason.  Of course, maybe this circuit gets quiet and cool just before it blows.....who knows?

I hope someone else replicates this so I know I am not nuts.
Bill

Good job Bill.  I lit 2 40w and half a 15w, but could not light 3 40w, so I think that's as far as the amperage will push.  It is weird how you can pull the light down the tube with your hand.  Interesting how you used a magnet..Ill have to try that.  I tried a industrial energizer AA and it lights brighter, so I think the industrials can put out a bit more power than regular AA.

[Cap-Z-ro]

Also Bill...try a magnet on the opposite side of the tube from the first magnet...a couple on the first tube wouldn't hurt either, using various polarity arrangements.

I am intrigued that you have a magnet having an amplification effect on electricity.

There's a lesson in here somewhere.

Unfortunately now you're stuck buying more tubes to find out where the limit of the system lies.

Regards...

[Freezer]

I can confirm the tube does brighten with a magnet near it..I wonder why...

[Pirate88179]

@ Freezer:

Thanks!  Geeze, I thought I was the first....darn. (ha ha)  I tried my hand first as I have read that this work...but...nothing.  Then I got my very strong neo (it was out of one of those shake flashlights) and it "pulled" the light down the tube as I went.  When I removed it, it went out so, for the photos, I just left it sitting there.

Well, I did one 48", and then two, and I was going to go for three but....after what you said....now I don't know. (I would have to buy two more as they only come in a 2-pack)

My Fuji came with an industrial  AA bat.  But, it has to be weak by now with all of my testing. (maybe not)

I may go ahead and try for 3 in a few days.  I have plenty of magnets and maybe it will take a few of them to get it to light.  I am not really sure why the magnets do this.  I have an idea but, if I am right, leaving them on there (taped to the tube even) does not bother me.

It reminds me of when I got my cheap TV from Walmart.  It always had a blue spot near the upper right side of the picture.  One day, I was messing around with a small neo (God only knows why) and I found that when I held it behind the picture tube (screen) at the blue spot, it went away and functioned normally.  So, I taped that small neo to the tv and it has worked great ever since. (3 years)  I love magnets!!!

Bill