Joule Thief

[Groundloop]

@nievesoliveras,

Making 600 turns onto a toroid is possible if you use thinner wire than I stated in the drawing.
It all depends on the size of the core you will use. A small 1 -2 inch core will not hold all that wire.
One way to wind toroid core is first to put your wire evenly spread onto a long
wood stick. Then you use the stick to thread through the toroid.

My drawing was for a medium power inverter so a ferrite core from an old TV or data monitor
is more suitable.  It is much more easy with a ferrite core. They are in two halves and easy to wind.

I tried to light up two 15 Watt fluorescent tubes with the small inverter from the Kodak camera. It did not work
with the tubes both in series or in parallel. So I think that my single 15 Watt tube is close to the maximum size
for that little circuit.

Groundloop.

[stprue]

I have a quick question, and sorry to slow down the conversation but I'm only about 4 months into electronics.  I have made 2 Joule thief's and they both work.  My first one is larger then my second version.  My second JT works slightly better and and has more windings with thinner mag wire.  My question is, does toroid size and or more windings make a difference?

[maw2432]

Pirate -  thanks for the link to Goldmine.  Prices are great.

I found this circuit board that looks very interesting. 

http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G16565

Do you think it would be worth experimenting with?


Bill

[nievesoliveras]

Thanks groundloop.

That is like making a fish net. They use a wooden needle full of nylon thread.
I need to build one for the wire.
That is if I dont find a normal ferrite.

Jesus

[Pirate88179]

@ Bill:

You would have to ask ist or someone that knows more about this than I do.  This is a good site for electronic supplies tho.  I bought a color organ to run the lights on my Christmas tree.  It was a kit. (some assembly required)  I managed to assemble it and solder all of the components to the board without frying anything. (I used a heat sink)

This cool device cost $15.00 (US) and has 3 channels for: High freq. Midrange, and low range.  It also responds to volume dynamics as well.  So, I can have my tree with blue (for example) lights for bass, red for the midrange, and yellow for the highs and play music and the tree lights will respond.  My Dad built one of these in the early 60's. (Had to use tubes back then)  This brings back good memories.

I suspect that this lamp driver circuit is similar to the disposable camera circuits discussed earlier.  But, as I said, I really don't know.  I too am learning and I learn a lot every day, thanks to the posted links and smart folks on here.

We will see what someone else answers.  Take care Bill.  (good name)

Bill