Joule Thief

[stprue]

What transistor are you using? Will a 2n2222 A?

-Altrez

I'm waiting for my order to come in and it has msp/a transistors but right now I'm using a 2N3904

[stprue]

One thing I noticed is that the torriod doesnt seem to make that much of a difference.  My 3-5-15 works as well as my biggo with way more winds!  Lets see how long it lasts!!!

Well the new BJT did not last the night and I know it was because of the inductor.  This morning I took off the inductor and recharged the maxcap.  I also took off 1 LED also.

[sirmikey1]

altrez and stprue,

   Kooler and another member also recommended these
transistors a few weeks ago...

if you want a jt to run.. on nothing.. use this transistor.. mps2222a
If you can get some BC337-40 transistors I suspect they will work even
better than the mps2222A

M

[stprue]

Yes Sm you told me already and I also read it

[jonnydavro]

Hi.I discovered a strange modification which significantly reduces the current draw on both my Simple sec exciter and also Slayers exciter and may be worth trying on a joulethief.This is what i did.I added an extra transistor and connected the collector of the new transistor to the base of the original and the base of the new transistor to the originals emmiter and left the new transistors emitter floating.The current draw drops by over half and output is not realy effected.Whats more is you can keep adding transistors like so and the current draw comes down with each addition.If anyone has any thoughts on why this floating transistor is having this effect i would be really interested.
I have also had a think about the wireless transmision aspect of these circuits and come up with an updated simple sec reciever circuit but it works equally well with slayers exciter.
I am getting an led to light at over 2 meters distance.
I also did an experiment with slayers exciter and got it lighting an led on a vinegar battery.
Here is a vid of todays experiments and circuit diagrams of power saving mods and wireless reciever circuit update.Jonny
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZWuRL4Nto8

@electricme.Hi Jim.Thanks for the hello and hope everything is good ai your neck of the woods.Jonny