Selfrunning cold electricity circuit from Dr.Stiffler

[DrStiffler]

Here is an image of a test unit inside the calorimeter, I placed an arrow to the calibration resistor.

I Have a stupid question for any expert in calorimetry, I want to know what effect phase change will have on overall outcome? It appears that my vaporization is having a marked effect on readings.

[Loki67671]

Dr Stiffler,
I have measured the tunable on the left and it is intended for the oscillator tuning. I have measured the tunable range as 4.5uH to 9.5uH. It still will not swing the range you are calling for. The larger coil I have not measured yet, I will tomorrow, when I have access to the LCR. I also would love to be able to sweep the coils for Fsr and will have to as I get deeper into this. As a matter of fact I will remeasure and confirm all of my values on a second LCR. I'm also going to use your design for a calorimeter as a starting point. I have various DAQ's available so I intend to automate my calorimeter and I really need to solve a drift issue with my spectrum analyzer, BK Precision 2610, 1.0 GHz. There is so much to do and so little time. I'm going as fast as I can but I need to make sure I understand as much as possible before I go looking for anomalies. The RFC is supposed to 22uH correct? I have seen reference to 2.2uH and 22uH for this same inductor. Can we really call this circuit a Colpitts? I think Stiffler Driver is more appropriate as I haven't been able to visualize the split capacitance characteristic of Colpitts.........We're moving...............Jim

[DrStiffler]

Dr Stiffler,
I have measured the tunable on the left and it is intended for the oscillator tuning. I have measured the tunable range as 4.5uH to 9.5uH. It still will not swing the range you are calling for. The larger coil I have not measured yet, I will tomorrow, when I have access to the LCR. I also would love to be able to sweep the coils for Fsr and will have to as I get deeper into this. As a matter of fact I will remeasure and confirm all of my values on a second LCR. I'm also going to use your design for a calorimeter as a starting point. I have various DAQ's available so I intend to automate my calorimeter and I really need to solve a drift issue with my spectrum analyzer, BK Precision 2610, 1.0 GHz. There is so much to do and so little time. I'm going as fast as I can but I need to make sure I understand as much as possible before I go looking for anomalies. The RFC is supposed to 22uH correct? I have seen reference to 2.2uH and 22uH for this same inductor. Can we really call this circuit a Colpitts? I think Stiffler Driver is more appropriate as I haven't been able to visualize the split capacitance characteristic of Colpitts.........We're moving...............Jim

The circuit you want to use is at; http://www.stifflerscientific.com/ at the top of the page.

Leave off the Power capacitor on the AV plus and the Sidac, either connect a large (1.9mA) or greater Neon or a 1-3K carbon load resistor directly across the plug. the variation of resistor in the load is determined by you circuit layout and any differences in components. Testing will determine the correct load.

Yes it is a 22uH with an SRF of 13MHz.

You spectrum analyzer will be very eye opening, you will be surprised!

Good luck, I do not check this site very often as it is hard to get to work? So you can ask questions direct if you wish and then post back here what you want so the other fellows keep posted.

Just started another calibration run after some calorimeter changes. I use a very nice tool that is inexpensive but works great for data capture, 'LabJack' great tool...

[Loki67671]

Here is an image of a test unit inside the calorimeter, I placed an arrow to the calibration resistor.

I Have a stupid question for any expert in calorimetry, I want to know what effect phase change will have on overall outcome? It appears that my vaporization is having a marked effect on readings.

While I'm not claiming to be an expert in calorimetry, I would expect, in a continuous material, that if the temperature of the material were such that there was a state transition occurring the temperature would plateau while energy input continued until the state transition completed then once again continue to rise? Just a poke at it. What is with the blackening of the test circuit PCB? What do you suspect is vaporizing? Evaporation of the water in the calorimeter tube itself?......Jim

[DrStiffler]

Here is an image of a test unit inside the calorimeter, I placed an arrow to the calibration resistor.

I Have a stupid question for any expert in calorimetry, I want to know what effect phase change will have on overall outcome? It appears that my vaporization is having a marked effect on readings.

While I'm not claiming to be an expert in calorimetry, I would expect, in a continuous material, that if the temperature of the material were such that there was a state transition occurring the temperature would plateau while energy input continued until the state transition completed then once again continue to rise? Just a poke at it. What is with the blackening of the test circuit PCB? What do you suspect is vaporizing? Evaporation of the water in the calorimeter tube itself?......Jim

Here is what happens. (All experts will get a chuckle from this).

The calibration resistor is powered at a constant Voltage and Current (DC) while the water temperature in the sink is monitored every hour. The readings are fed into a program (spreedsheet) that calculated COP based upon input power and temperature rise in a known quantity of water. Because the Specific Heat of the apparatus is not known and the leakage is not known, once the input and COP reach equilibrium , the test is over and a factor is calculated to bring COP to 1.00. This factor then accounts for the unknowns.

The unit is allowed to sit for a minimum of 14-20 hours to allow it to cool and reach equilibrium with the environment. *Note the unit can not be opened or messed with in any way or the calibrations factor will be in error)

After insuring the unit is stable, a SEC test is started by applying power to the SEC Exciter. Again temperature and input power ar constantly monitored and the average is logged every hour.

Here is the problem, the calibration does what one would expect. Temperature continues to rise in a linear way until it tops until the unit becomes stable. With the SEC circuits it works differently, a large increase in temperature in the first 2-3 hours and a high COP followed by a declining COP. What is happening is the water because of the high temp is vaporizing. This will form a vapor pressure withing the containment vessel.

My feeling is that this is why the COP goes down. Now if this is the case, somehow the increased vapor pressure and the heat change involved must be factored back into the offset.