Joule Thief

[Mk1]

@jeanna

There might be a software for your scope, so you could see the readings on the computer screen, that would be really helpful
you could then take screen shot of the wave.

I can make some research for you, what is the scope model.

Mark

[xee2]

@ jeanna

the volts dropped to 17 from around 40.

I would guess that somehow you have made the equivalent of a step down transformer. In a transformer, if the voltage is stepped down then the current is increased. The LEDs are probably getting brighter because they are being driven with more current.

Having more voltage than the LED can use does not make it brighter. This is why LEDs can be added in series without decreasing the brightness of the other LEDs (since the extra voltage is just being wasted if there are not enough LEDs to use it). In parallel all of the current is divided between all of the LEDs. Thus adding an LED in parallel will decrease the brightness of the other LEDs. At 40 volts, you seem to be providing more voltage to the LEDs than they can use. By converting some of that voltage to current you made extra current that the the LEDs could use and thus they got brighter.

[jeanna]

@jeanna

There might be a software for your scope, so you could see the readings on the computer screen, that would be really helpful
you could then take screen shot of the wave.

I can make some research for you, what is the scope model.

Mark

@Mark,
Thanks.

Velleman HPS10
It has to be LINUX software, remember.
I don't think there is a way to get it into a computer. There is a scsi type connector and an IR port on the other model which is HPS40, but not this one. Also, the manual is written for both, so be sure you are following the info for the -10.

I will open up the xo laptop and see if it can take a better pic.. I am just being lazy. Got to clear a space first!

thank you,

jeanna

[Mk1]

@jeanna

It seems there are none for the HPS10 , i will keep searching. But it doesn't look good , the hps40 would but its a bit to late for that one.

Mark

But make some picture from a greater distance , i will blow it up for you, the pictures are not clear because you don't have a macro on the camera , but if the picture is taken in good light condition , it will be easy to blow the picture and keep the details.

[jeanna]

@Mark,Thank you for all these good offers.

I did find a spot with good light without glare one day. I didn't bother today.  A good tripod would be just the thing. The 2 dollar one doesn't help very much, a little but. I just thought you would enjoy seeing the wave which is what you can see from that pic.

I can hardly see the screen with my eyes. It is dark and there is glare.

Oh well, for $189 I have learned about frequency and its relationship to volts and maybe its relationship to amps in an ac environment.

That is worth the $189, to me. It is too bad that I cannot share it with you all.

And I will be able to take this scope outside to the ground where the Stubblefield generators will be planted.
Maybe I am the only one who will be able to do that.

Thank you again,

jeanna