Second Stage Joule Thief Circuits

[MrMag]

Alex,

I really hope it works!!! Please keep us informed.

It's too bad that things need to get so complicated just to do what seems a simple thing.

Tim

[Groundloop]

Hi Tim,

Yes, but I have tried to avoid using 555 or other current hungry components.
This circuit will not use any power from the bcaps until the relay switches on.
The relay itself uses very little power, only 140mW. I also hope this circuit will
work as planned.

Alex.

[broli]

Hi Tim,

Yes, but I have tried to avoid using 555 or other current hungry components.
This circuit will not use any power from the bcaps until the relay switches on.
The relay itself uses very little power, only 140mW. I also hope this circuit will
work as planned.

Alex.

Have you looked into this component:

http://www.national.com/mpf/LM/LMC555.html#Overview

Apparently it's exactly the same as a 555 except that it consumes very little power compared to it.

[jadaro2600]

Hi Tim,

Yes, but I have tried to avoid using 555 or other current hungry components.
This circuit will not use any power from the bcaps until the relay switches on.
The relay itself uses very little power, only 140mW. I also hope this circuit will
work as planned.

Alex.

I agree, the 555 is hungry.  Though they make power efficient models, they are extremely small!  Pictured on an inch scale, numbered divisions 1/10th of an inch.

[turbo]

555's use alot of power to charge up the timer cap, and then it just discharges that cap to ground!
It's wasted energy and that i why i never use them in FE circuits.

It's also possible to use a Crystal driven Nanowatt PIC microchip and adjust the frequency through pressing up/down buttons or by simply changing the code,and offcource by (voltage) sensors so it switches when it senses the cap is full. 

It's very easy to do, and the last one also protects the cap from overcharging.

Marco.