EER Joule Thief using an earth battery to start a joule thief.

[jeanna]

I just changed the big plant battery#1 joule thief circuit.

It is now more specific to what I am doing.

Since it already had 2 secondaries, but one was weaker and eventually went off, I removed that light and replaced it with a RED led which I have turned so it faces one of the leaves.
I also removed the basic jt light.
This was an early circuit and that basic jt light went off when I made the secondary but I never removed it from the circuit.

So, it is still running since I added some dolomite to the soil on Apr 2.
This is a total of 9 days straight except for a 5 hour break on the 6th day.
The wires still look fresh and clean.
(This is very different from how crusty and gross the mag wire that was in the control battery looked after 20 hours.)

Did I mention I am using a 1F 5.5v memory cap between the leads?
This really helps with such low amperage.

thank you,

jeanna

[Pardon]

i was researching iron and copper wire at my local truevalue/ ace hardware store and this is what i found

Slug-ging It Out - How the Win the Slug Battle
Copper wire is the secret weapon

Copper wire can save your outdoor potted plants from hungry slugs. To keep them away, simply wrap thin copper wire once around your pot. To secure the wire, just twist the ends tight with pliers.
What's the trick? Copper wire emits just enough electrical zap to turn slugs away unharmed! Also, trim your deck and patio chairs and the slugs will stay away from you, too.

[Pardon]

i went to harbor freight tools for a new meter. their only 2.99 so when i blow them it don't bother me any. i looked in the camping section/row and found magnesium fire starters for 2.99 but they were on sale for 1.99, that's the best deal i have found any where..

some time back last summer i went to a local art supply shop. i picked up the largest graphite rod they stocked. it's like 1/2 inch diameter by 4 1/2 inches long for under $5.00

i made a new eer using the graphite rod and a fire starter. it puts out 1.31 volts and 3.10 mamps

[Pirate88179]

i went to harbor freight tools for a new meter. their only 2.99 so when i blow them it don't bother me any. i looked in the camping section/row and found magnesium fire starters for 2.99 but they were on sale for 1.99, that's the best deal i have found any where..

some time back last summer i went to a local art supply shop. i picked up the largest graphite rod they stocked. it's like 1/2 inch diameter by 4 1/2 inches long for under $5.00



i made a new eer using the graphite rod and a fire starter. it puts out 1.31 volts and 3.10 mamps

I saw those fire starters at HF too, that is the best price I have ever seen as well.  At walmart they are usually closer to $5 ea.

I'll bet you mA's and volts go up a bit after a while.  If you get your alignments set up right, that will help as well.  You can probably run a JT from it now though I would think.

On your meters, it is usually the fuse that blows on the amps section and they can be easily replaced.  My cheapest meters I paid like $8 ea. for so that is a great price too.  I love HF!  I could live in that store.

Bill

[jeanna]

I just wanted to report that the mag ribbon in the small pot has broken off at the soil.This is where it broke on Dennis' set up too.

(The bigger one #1 is still fine with its 2 colors of lights.)

I made this smaller arrangement #2, to get closer to the limits, and I will take it all down today and take pics which I will post if warranted.
1- One of the limits was to make one with only a very small amount of wire to learn how much wire is needed for how many mA.
2- One limit was to make one which had a plant but no added microbes
3- One of the limits was to make a battery with no plant to see what just the mass of soil moisture and electrodes would do if anything more than the control which has no soil and no plant.

This one that has the broken ribbon was supposed to be with no plant.
I relented and added a single leaf that had a small root.
So, it is not as scientific as it was going to be, but it did go for a week and now, I can make one with no plant to compare.

I have another idea to make a solder joint with some plastic insulated copper wire which is part of the jtc, and hot glue and submerge the joint under the soil so there is no place where the air can get to the magnesium.
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@Dennis, did you ever find a way to save the magnesium ribbon?

@lasersaber, I am curious about the condition of your magnesium ribbon. How is it?

@Shannon=== You are the star here. How are all those planted pots doing?
Your times are really great.
Please keep posting as time goes by.

thank you,

jeanna