Big Joule Theif

[Tectalabyss]

Resistor's

@kooler
Thanks for showing the picture of the resistor. I can now tell that my 1k ohm resistor is Not the right one. I have brown, black, and gold (not red), and gold band. So, that may solve my no induction problem. Thanks to Kooler for taking the time to post the pic.
NZ

Hello NickZ And All.
I have used different ohms resistor's to match the induction of the coil I also have used a variable resistor that seems to help with the current draw and match the inductance.I've tried a few feedback circuits to increase the run time.I think some of the others here have had better luck than I.I will Include a voltage doubler circuit That PenTiger may want to try. Thanks Tec

[pentiger]

I have a question, when I open a CFL lamp there are 4 wires. How would I connect to the joule thief. Thanks.

[Joit]

I have a question, when I open a CFL lamp there are 4 wires. How would I connect to the joule thief. Thanks.

You twist the 2 Coils from the CFL in serie together, and connect it normally to the open Ends.
Just mostly you need to switch through with the Polarity
and the Ends of the Coils, where it works better.

[NickZ]

@Tectalabyss and All:
Thanks for the reply. I will try the small pot on the base of the transistor and see what happens. I had forgotten about that.
I've just tried a new TIP3055 transistor, and it sure works much different than any of the 2n2222s did, connected to the same 1k (?) ohm resistor.
I've been able to use the TIP3055 to light a multi Led bulb with a single AA. The transistor does heat up at first, if I connect two or three AAs, but seams to be getting used to my 1 inch toroid set up. It seams to work fine on just one AA. But, I still have no induction on a 4 turn test seconday test coil wound on top of the primary. And now no voltages can not be read by my analong meter, anywhere.
I have one Jt that is on it's 6th day non stop lighting a single blue Led. I'm giving the 3.7 volt cordless phone batteries that are running it a solar bump charge now, after almost a week, just to cheer it up a bit, as there is no fun in watching dim leds. It could still go on, another day or two, maybe more, without it, but , now its back to being fully lit.
NickZ

[Tectalabyss]

@Tectalabyss and All:
Thanks for the reply. I will try the small pot on the base of the transistor and see what happens. I had forgotten about that.
I've just tried a new TIP3055 transistor, and it sure works much different than any of the 2n2222s did, connected to the same 1k (?) ohm resistor.
I've been able to use the TIP3055 to light a multi Led bulb with a single AA. The transistor does heat up at first, if I connect two or three AAs, but seams to be getting used to my 1 inch toroid set up. It seams to work fine on just one AA. But, I still have no induction on a 4 turn test seconday test coil wound on top of the primary. And now no voltages can not be read by my analong meter, anywhere.
I have one Jt that is on it's 6th day non stop lighting a single blue Led. I'm giving the 3.7 volt cordless phone batteries that are running it a solar bump charge now, after almost a week, just to cheer it up a bit, as there is no fun in watching dim leds. It could still go on, another day or two, maybe more, without it, but , now its back to being fully lit.
NickZ

Hello NickZ And All.
Be careful with the resistors if you go to low it will blow your led. They are the weak link in the circuit. The transistors are stronger but you can blow them too. Your secondary will need more winds to show voltage I take 30 agw and wind it on a tooth pick first just small enough to fit through the hole in the coil,that makes it a little easier to wind the coil. also check your voltage on the AC scale of your meter. Also be careful how much voltage you put on the circuit 1.5 volts should be more than enough any more and you run the risk of burning out the led and transistor.Hope this helps. Thanks Tec
PS.The 1k ohm Resistor you are using may be why you are able to use a 3.7 power pack on your JT circuit. ? Has it limits the current, I know for a fact that you can run a led with a 12 volt battery as long as you use the proper resistor to limit the current. I am running some tests on this very thing has I speak. Tec

[Tectalabyss]

Something a little different

Hello all.
Here is some thing I have been working on for a few days now.it shows great promise has being a good back up light on a boat a small cabin or when the power is off.Its simple easy and has few parts.
(1) Battery sealed lead acid or car,I've even tried bad ones with good results.
(2) Sandstone resistor If running your leds in parallel.
(3) Led's.

The setup I am showing is a 12 volt automotive battery 750 cranking amps/630 cold cranking amps.
I have 20 led's running in parallel.
I have two 75 ohm 5% 2 Watt resistor's in parallel that should = 37.5 ohm's.
The lower the ohm's the brighter the led the more the drain on the battery.

Most of my test's have been with a 75 ohm 5% 2 Watt sandstone resistor.
Very bright led's very low drain on the battery.
(1) Start of test 10/30/2010.5:45 PM 12.68 volt's.
(2)End of test 10/31/2010.5:45 PM 12.63 volt's

My next test will run for about a week. I added some picture's of my setup. Tec

[NickZ]

@Tec:
Looks like a good start with that 12 volt battery. If you connect it to a 18 volt solar panel and charge controler, it will provide free lights for quiet a while.
How many leds would you think that it could light full brightness all night? Enought to light a small house, trailer, or boat, with low light levels?
Has anybody connected the new 10 watt Led bulbs that output 700 lumens, onto a strong Jt circuit yet???
NZ

[Tectalabyss]

@Tec:
Looks like a good start with that 12 volt battery. If you connect it to a 18 volt solar panel and charge controler, it will provide free lights for quiet a while.
How many leds would you think that it could light full brightness all night? Enought to light a small house, trailer, or boat, with low light levels?
Has anybody connected the new 10 watt Led bulbs that output 700 lumens, onto a strong Jt circuit yet???
NZ

Hello NickZ and All.
Thats where this is hopefully leading up. To the wiring does not even have to be a heavy gauge the only heat is at the resistor. I've ran 20 led's so bright you cant stand to look at them for over 24 hour's with a very small drain on the battery,and yes a solar panel wind wheel or hydro power would keep it going for how ever long the part's lasted.And has for the higher watt led I am sure there's a way.There should also be a way to put 12 volt's on a JT circuit who know's how long it may run ??.Thank You for the reply Tec.

[pentiger]

I finished a small project. I reused broken LED flood light from harborfreight.

36 LEDs from two AA's. I wish it was one AA, but it's a little dim with one.

2 batteries do the trick.






it's just a basic JT, no secondary.

pentiger

[Tectalabyss]

I finished a small project. I reused broken LED flood light from harborfreight.

36 LEDs from two AA's. I wish it was one AA, but it's a little dim with one.

2 batteries do the trick.






it's just a basic JT, no secondary.

pentiger

good job PenTiger What size coil are you using ? I will Try and Go over some of my older order forms to see if any of the company's I use to buy from sold bigger toroid.s . Tec

[pentiger]

good job PenTiger What size coil are you using ? I will Try and Go over some of my older order forms to see if any of the company's I use to buy from sold bigger toroid.s . Tec

it was 3/4 inch from PC power supply. I have a spare 1inch from the same supply that I will try next.

I am supposed to get the big toroids for Jeanna's light. I will let you know when I have them.

pentiger

[Tectalabyss]

it was 3/4 inch from PC power supply. I have a spare 1inch from the same supply that I will try next.

I am supposed to get the big toroids for Jeanna's light. I will let you know when I have them.

pentiger

Great when you get them you can do what Jeanne,lidmotor, and the others have done you will also need some magnet wire 28 or 30 agw what ever they used in the coil's they made I did have a list of supplier's but I cant find it . What did you think of my simple batt / led setup ?? . If you have any questions about the JT just ask if I cant answer there are people here that know a lot more than me that will be glad to help. Tec

[pentiger]

What did you think of my simple batt / led setup ??

I don't have any experience with these batteries, but I read somewhere that you cannot use them indoors. Also If I had a battery like that I would like to get as big and bright light as possible that lasts for days.

Maybe a strong joulethief could work. pentiger

[Tectalabyss]

I don't have any experience with these batteries, but I read somewhere that you cannot use them indoors. Also If I had a battery like that I would like to get as big and bright light as possible that lasts for days.

Maybe a strong joulethief could work. pentiger

Hello PenTiger and all.
I have ran test's charging automotive battery's has long as it's a slow low amp charge it will not make enough gas to be dangerous I have covered the top with a stretchable plastic and a low pressure Gage .and to be safe you could also make a simple cover to vent to the outside when it's warm keep them outside anyway. There are also the sealed lead acid type they are cheap small and sold online . Tec

[NickZ]

@Tec and All:
I've been told that connecting the Leds direct to the battery (without a Jt) will make them light brighter and stronger, than to connect them through the Jtc to the battery. Can You confirm this for us?
I bought some of the Radio Shack 10mm Leds, but I'm very dissapointed with them, as they are only 10 degree, and don't spread the light evenly, and are very dim as they are only 20 mA, 3.5 volt.
They are worthless, I get more light out of the regular blue leds that I get for free inside some cigarette lighters.
I will have to order some of the Warm White Leds (straw hat 140 degree 0.5 watt). They are made from .5 watt, up to 10 watt (700) lumin. Should work fine with a 12v battery and solar panel. If somebody has bought them already, please comment about their Quality of light. I really can't stand the light from the regular white Leds, or the CFLs for that matter.
I wish that I could afford the whole set up with the big 12v battery, solar panel, charge controler, Led banks, and of course a big 12v Jt. It does get a bit expensive to do it right, but I feel that a 12 volt Jt, although not essencial in the set up, could make a big difference compared to what a normal 12 volt battery system can yield,
I've made a new Jtc yesterday using the TIP3055, and it runs so strong that I can't even use it with two AAs, so, I've had to run it with only one. Now I'm ready to install a dimmer pot, and the secondary.
Still no voltages can be read by my analog meter anywhere on the circuit (with Leds instald), but the above mentioned Jt can run on a single very, very dead battery that will not even budge my analog meter, on its own, even on the AC setting. It does appear to consume more power than the 2n2222 does, but using a big battery like the one you've shown it should not matter much.
Check the Leds at Ebay:
20 PC 0.5 Watt StrawHat 8mm 140° WARM White LED 90Kmcd - eBay (item 250448852092 end time Nov-12-10 15:47:29 PST)
Nick