Joule Thief

[xee2]

I managed to light a fluorescent tube with 1.5 volt AAA battery.

[Pirate88179]

@ Xee2:

Nice work on the tube lighting!  I'll bet you could light a 15 watt one with that same set up.

@ Jeanna:

Excellent research and data you are compiling for all of us.  I really appreciate all of your hard work.

@ Jim:

No worries mate. (like my accent?, ha ha)  If you, or anyone posts anything I feel is way too far off topic and/or of no value to the folks here, I will mention something.  So, unless that happens, carry on as usual and don't worry about it.  We are a good group here and, even though I have moderator privileges,  I have not used them on this topic in our almost 6,000 posts. I don't foresee that changing. So, sure as Bob's your uncle, (another thing I heard in a movie) I appreciate your efforts here as well.

Bill

[xee2]

Simplified fluorescent circuit.

[jeanna]

@Jeanna

So with the jt part of the coil I could make...say...the two 3 turn crosses / across the coil and my wind ups/ and downs I need to max out?  Is this right or am I just confusing what the different windings are called?

Yes, start by making the 2, 3turn crosses.

Then put on as many as you can fit. of the up then down on each side.
Or, since you need to cut off the wire before you start to wind, carefully measure an amount of wire - 4-5 feet and start winding. When you get to the halfway mark (fold the wire and lightly crease it first) return back down.

I got some pretty great results yesterday with only half of the winds on, so you can tell at half way if you want to cut a bigger piece and start over, or what you want to try.

jeanna

[jeanna]

I managed to light a fluorescent tube with 1.5 volt AAA battery.

WOW xee2!

J4J! (jumping for joy)

bravo. and both ways...  without a cap as well. Fantastic

xee, do the secondary 100 turns go in the up then down or just around configuration?

jeanna