Joule Thief 101

[guruji]

Hi guys I have a white toroid don't know what is the material. Is this good for JT?
Thanks

[Pirate88179]

If it is painted, chances are it is a powdered iron toroid.  Can a magnet stick to it?  If not, it will not work for the JT.  If it passes the magnet test, go ahead and wind a basic JT circuit on it and see what happens.  They do not take long to make.

Good luck to you,

Bill

[Nali2001]

Hi all, I know nothing about the Joule Thief and since this is a 101 you might want to add what the Joule Thief actually is, and what it is supposed to be capable of and what is special about it. Also maybe some overall efficiency details.

Thanks,
Steven

[resonanceman]

Hi all, I know nothing about the Joule Thief and since this is a 101 you might want to add what the Joule Thief actually is, and what it is supposed to be capable of and what is special about it. Also maybe some overall efficiency details.

Thanks,
Steven

A joule thief is  A simple circuit that is  basicly  a simple oscillator.
The first JTs  that I  heard about  were just  a toroid with a few wraps  of wire in it .......a  transistor, a resistor and a blue or white LED
They  were interesting  because  they can  light the LED  even with a battery that  by normal standards would  be considered dead.

The  JT threads  are all about  what can be done  with the JT circuit
Adding  a secondary  was a big step ........it opened up many doors .

~~~~~~~~~~

I could not  watch  videos  for a long time ......so I do not have any links to  videos that  explain  the basics
Perhaps  someone  that  already  has  links for  good videos  can post  them here for you.

gary

[jeanna]

Well said, and good idea gary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTAqGKt64WM
This is how I made my first 3. Then I made some personal adjustments, but this video is clear and easy.
My recommendation is always
watch it 3 times.
first run through
second- start at the 1:05 minute marker and watch it til they start with the jokes.
third time- watch it and predict what they will do.
Then you have it.

The tricky part about the first time is to get the center tapped primary bit.
That is why I say make it their way and get it into your head and hands then make some more.

Then begin to add secondaries and read the loooong thread for lots of info and ideas.

jeanna