Joule Thief

[dasimpson]

Thank you for the explanations and the link.  I think I see it now.

Bill

it would be best to use one so not to discharge the cap were you dont wont it to but unless you find a very low forwed voltage drop diode you will suffer on what voltage your cap will be charged to you could use a zener diode and a load to stop over charge
also a diode is used with solar panels to stop discharge into the panel at night they are also what are in bridge rectifires to change ac voltage to dc voltage

[TinselKoala]

Yup, you're all on the right track re the diode in a cap charging circuit. The most common diodes with low forward voltage drop are the germanium 1n34 and 1n60. The 1n60 has a bit higher reverse voltage standoff. If you are charging with HV spikes like come off an Ainslie circuit (or anything with a collapsing field from a high inductance) you can get spikes in the hundreds of volts very easily, so using a fast HV silicon diode like the MUR1100E is better, even though it has a higher forward voltage.
But for earth batteries or using the Earth's own field, I'd try the germaniums first. Regardless, you should be able to charge the capacitor to very nearly the peak voltage in your spikes, or to the average voltage of your EB, using the appropriate diode in the circuit.

[WilbyInebriated]

hey tinsel, i'm glad you are back. there are some discrepancies in your posts in the ainslie thread that you still have not reconciled... and there is that mea culpa you owe regarding the mosfet performance. don't think i have forgot, or that i will... 

[spinn_MP]

hey tinsel, i'm glad you are back. there are some discrepancies in your posts in the ainslie thread that you still have not reconciled... and there is that mea culpa you owe regarding the mosfet performance. don't think i have forgot, or that i will... 

Rotfl! Which mosfet performance do you have in mind?

Yep, don't think i have forgot, or that I will....
Silly.

[gadgetmall]

@TinsleKola . No i didnt mean caps wont blow up . I was a Tv service man for 20 years back when tube sets contained paper caps  . I have seen a lot of cap snaps and bangs  !! and you are right . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCPXckfT-6g&feature=player_detailpage .and a few more http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9jDsNe_bmtE&NR=1&feature=fvwp http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PQMMu0oMnM&NR=1  Dont Do what i do or say because there will always be someone to say different and you are not me and just because My  Ultra Battery caps dont blow up because i pump a few more volts over there rated 2.7volts  dosnt mean your wont pop the release plug on the side of them and it might shoot your eye out .  .Also the older caps didnt have release valves and they did explode so   . I am Lucky . They call me Lucky Legs 









Lucky they dont break off and poke me in the ass


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