Well,
I replaced both the opto, and the 555 timer, and I learned a couple of tricks.
Put a nite light to the capacitor, this helps to diminish the 100V + charge that is stored there. I don't like discharging that the hard way !
This also allows you to see visually the amount of electricity the circuit is outputing.I swapped the coil for the 450 turn one, and after getting this, it is now staying at 25-27 V in the cap over the charge battery. It seems to be doing MUCH better. I believe I had miss wired my 555 timer before because I had the pin numbering wrong. ( So much fun remembering the order of the pins when you turn it upside down ) I ended up making a diagrahm of both the pins up right and upside down which help me sort out the pin much easier.
Charging up another battery now, look forward to see if the load tests does any better.
Mart



Leave a comment: