Joule Thief

[Artic_Knight]

i suggest you read more about eddy currents.
a cap across the output terminals of a DC generator does not have anything to do with eddy currents.
eddy currents are not at the output, it is a losses in motors/generators structure, like in the core of transformers.

i suggest you try it!  drop a magnet down a copper pipe. hey it dropps REALLY slow. drop it down a copper pipe that allows the electricity to flow hey it dropps at a normal rate. 

eddy currents in generators is from the resistance of the copper passing the magnetism only because there is resistance in electrical flow. now if there is a Iron Core to this coil then that adds a whole different Variable. one which we can guess the answer. were stuck with the resistance.

in a strait copper coil inside a magnetic field all eddy current resistance can be eliminated and only ball bearing resistance remains (or other friction) i have proven this to myself, if you dont believe me then try it!

its fun! try it!

[Pirate88179]

I forgot to mention that I have 5 of these but when I put 2-5 additional caps the voltage gets lower, not by much but it does.  Have you experienced this problem or do you know whay this happens?

I have read in several places that you can't put more than 3 supercaps in series.  They gave a really good explanation of why but, I can't remember what it was.

Bill

[xee2]

@ jeanna

I must say, xee,
That is a nice bright light for 120mA.

I have been forgetting to ask you about the start up voltage requirement on the 2N3055 and the other high voltage transistors. How is it you are able to even turn on these transistors with 1.34 volts? I thought the start up voltage on these was 1.5V?

Nice job again.

jeanna

Almost all silicon transistors turn on at 0.5 to 0.7 volts.

[Pirate88179]

Yes I have started with that already.  If you noticed in the pics a few pages back of my Hazen1 coil after I hooked up a 2.5v @10f supercap my volts shot up quite a bit!   Now I just need the EB.  I could order one from gadgetmall but I dont know enough about the NS setup which seems better! What do you think?

By NS set-up you mean Nathan Stubblefield (as opposed to North South) those are much harder to make but do have a higher output.  Also, theoretically at least, they can be placed in series or parallel if you make several of them.

I chose the electrode method way back in our early EB days, then I went to the coils.  Now, I am back to the earlier method with better material on the south side.

It is up to you but with a little alignment tweaks you get the electrode model up and working in no time.  I am not all that familiar with what Gadget is offering with his EB kit but I will say it is a pain to locate a supplier that will sell you 1 of anything be it carbon rods or magnesium.
I believe he is selling good sized rods of each material and I know he has tested this set-up.  If you need any help on setting it up, just let me know.  Gadget may have instructions for all I know.

Either way you go, it is fun to go outside and see lights running from the ground. ***EDIT***  I just checked Gadget's site and he is only asking $55.00 for the two electrodes for the EB.  That is a very decent price if you ask me.  My carbon rod was like $25.00 plus shipping and my magnesium (large block) was $46.00.

Bill

[xee2]

The TIP31C also works in my circuits, but is also not a direct replacement for the 2N3055. It seems to have about the same performance as the 2N3055 but seems to oscillate at a higher frequency.  The 2N3772 would not light the tube at all in this circuit.