Selfcharging cap circuit from Larskro fake or real ?

[gyulasun]

Hi Folks,

Check these links, they show 0.47F supercaps:

http://jeelabs.org/2010/09/02/sending-packets-without-battery/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8PCS-0-47F-5-5V-KAMCAP-Coin-H-Super-Capacitor-Memory-Backup-New-/350877347870
http://www.sz-promo.com/spproduct/121505/2b18511c/55v-047f-super-capacitor-15921a.html 

and Farnell also have such oddly shaped supercaps, mainly made by Panasonic:
http://cpc.farnell.com/supercapacitors-ultracaps-double-layer 

Gyula

[Pirate88179]

Hi Folks,

Check these links, they show 0.47F supercaps:

http://jeelabs.org/2010/09/02/sending-packets-without-battery/
http://www.ebay.com/itm/8PCS-0-47F-5-5V-KAMCAP-Coin-H-Super-Capacitor-Memory-Backup-New-/350877347870
http://www.sz-promo.com/spproduct/121505/2b18511c/55v-047f-super-capacitor-15921a.html 

and Farnell also have such oddly shaped supercaps, mainly made by Panasonic:
http://cpc.farnell.com/supercapacitors-ultracaps-double-layer 

Gyula

Interesting.  Some of them do have that concave edge.  Thanks.

Bill

[Hoppy]

Interesting.  Some of them do have that concave edge.  Thanks.

Bill

Same arrows on that one. Super cap or battery, the device is nothing special. Bring on the next fake self-runner for analysis. 

[TinselKoala]

Yep, that looks like the exact unit. I  learn something every day! It could be 2 CR2032 batteries shrink-wrapped in series with welded-on tabs.

Anyhow, I just tried the circuit, with these substitutions:

For that mystery object I used a 1F 5.5 V capacitor.
For the motor and reed switch I used a small reed relay, Gordos 831C-2. This is a 5V relay but it works down to about 2V.
For the Schottky diode I used 1n5819.
For the BaTiO cap I used a tantalum 0.47 uF.
Instead of a White LED I used a green one, I'm out of whites.

The circuit "works" ! In that it does oscillate the reed relay, lights the LEDs and keeps running when the "loop on" switch position is selected. But.... there is one major fail in my build. My reed relay has a snubber diode built in,internally, across the coil!

This probably kills any spike-recharge effect that the thing might be able to produce otherwise.
I can hear the reed relay "singing" well, in both switch positions, until the voltage drops to just above 2V or so. (ETA: Sings in switch "loop off" position only when external power is supplied. LEDs light regardless, since they are powered off the cap/battery thing.)

(The 1F cap is on the back side of the board)

[Hoppy]

But.... there is one major fail in my build. My reed relay has a snubber diode built in,internally, across the coil!

And could be on its last legs at 72 years of age.