Big Joule Theif

[NickZ]

Vaporizer and All:
I am on the same course as far as the solar panels to Jts. I can see that the more leds we add to a Jtc the less amount of Time the small batteries (AAs) are going to last. I'm not getting consistent recharging of the batteries from my Captret to Jt combination, but I'm still working on it, as it looks like there is some hope there.
I am still not convinced that a secondary circuit on the Jt is more economical on the batteries than just a primary C and E connection. I don't care about lighting CFLs, as I don't like their light quality, so I don't see the point in secondaries.
But, I still need more time to work on the secondary aspect to determine if there really are some benefits, other than higher voltage (with no current). Solar panels on the other hand put out LOTS of current along with their voltage.
So, the trick is to use a bigger battery, or less leds. But, if big light is what you're after, the Solar panels are definately the way to go, for now. B class solar cells can be bought for $55 (3 by 6 inch, 36 cells), and one can build the panel oneself. It outputs about 60 watts, at 18 volts. That would make alot of JTc light up, forever, and ever... if there is something that can beat that, I'd like to know about it.
Although there is no magic in using solar panels as a source, they can be combined and connected with many other different circuits.
Conradelectro has mentioned to forget the Jt, and just connect the leds direct to the batteries for the brightest amount of light from the Leds. Although this is true, I think that I'm going blind from looking at the not so bright leds that my Jtc put out, as they are still pretty bright.
Anyways, back to the lab... kitchen table.
MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE...

[Vaporizer]

@ Nick & all,
I think it's a matter of what you want from the JT as to how you build it. I was amazed by it lighting a cfl initially, had the wife get a couple, and I'm obligated to use them since I cut them up. Heck, she brought home 2 more last night that are 13watt(60watt visual) that spiral, but a smaller diameter and the glass tube is shorter. I'm anxious to see if the same power is brighter with that style. Besides, I think it's neat to do with a AA or AAA. I don't care for the "warm" ones and they do not put out as much light.
All of my present LEDs are 10-15* and don't seem to diffuse well for emergency "sit around the house" lights. Jenna had put plastic over hers and a globe on it and it did look pretty nice. I am also still awaiting the 140,000mcd LEDs from HK.

Light output vs current? The easiest way I know is to test each setup in a dark room with a solar cell to a meter. Reflect it all back to the cell with foil. Read the volts generated vs the current used and you should know pretty quickly. I plan on making a small JT to go into a flashlight. I can get better output and If I use the type that has the 3 AAA holder, I can have one battery, a spare and the other slot for the circuit. Or I can use it as 3v. The higher voltage just raises the current so much, reducing time, it seems counterproductive at times.

300 winds on the tan 3"er. I'll finish the wire left on that rod and it will be ready for a test this evening!

[Vaporizer]

@ Watson,
Sorry I missed your post.
Oh..I'm a scrounger by heart. I lived in NYC when I was 10yrs old and built my 1st circuit. I wandered the streets on garbage day drooling with a screwdriver & pliers. My 1st little light flasher was made from parts off the street.
Canal St had surplus stores that you could go through barrels of circuit boards and get them 3 for 0.10 or 0.25 depending on size.
I have boxes in the garage now sorted of stripped stuff. Electronic boards go in one others have sorted aluminum heatsinks, plastics, motors. It goes on & on. I found a ferrite rod from an IF tv transformer I had saved 20 yrs ago!
That was the reason for my question on the "magical" 30ga if it was unique. It doesn't seem to be. I have wire as fine as 50ga. Surplus or failed relays & solenoids are a great source too. Most just have a head that needs ground off and the spool of goodies is ready to use. Gauge can be a toss up but they can be as low $1 ea from surplus houses.

Waste not, want not.

[NickZ]

What I'm up to now is to see which big Jt circuit works best, runs longest, and puts out the most light. SkyWatcher had some nice tests going at one time not long ago, about that. But where did he go?

@Vapor- I think that it may be hard to beat the CFLs when it comes to putting out some big light. I have seen them now in warm white also. But when they are used with batteries, they are hogs. If there is a solar panel to charge the batteries, even running the CFLs would be free of any costs also, so any higher costs or less efficient of CFLs compared to Leds would be no big deal.
But, the new warm white leds (Straw Hat) even feel good to sit under, and can be used to sunbath with, as they have a warm sunlight or flame color, as opposed to the regular white Leds cool moonlight color. Can't wait to try the new Ultra Violet leds, especially in combination with other colors and the regular white leds, to produce the RIGHT color combination led light.
Merry Christmas to All....

[Tectalabyss]

Not very sunny Here

What I'm up to now is to see which big Jt circuit works best, runs longest, and puts out the most light. SkyWatcher had some nice tests going at one time not long ago, about that. But where did he go?

@Vapor- I think that it may be hard to beat the CFLs when it comes to putting out some big light. I have seen them now in warm white also. But when they are used with batteries, they are hogs. If there is a solar panel to charge the batteries, even running the CFLs would be free of any costs also, so any higher costs or less efficient of CFLs compared to Leds would be no big deal.
But, the new warm white leds (Straw Hat) even feel good to sit under, and can be used to sunbath with, as they have a warm sunlight or flame color, as opposed to the regular white Leds cool moonlight color. Can't wait to try the new Ultra Violet leds, especially in combination with other colors and the regular white leds, to produce the RIGHT color combination led light.
Merry Christmas to All....

@ NickZ.
Hello NickZ You've made some very good points.but where I live on avg there are a lot more cloudy days than sunny ones so the more efficient the circuit the better.That's why I lean more to Leds than to cfls. I would like to see them light up knowing it doing it only with a AA or AAA but knowing that someone's already done it is good enough for me at this point.Because I am after something different.Keep us posted. Tec

[Tectalabyss]

12 Volt JT

Hello All.

I've gotten a JT to work with 12 volt's using a 3 inch toroid & a MJE3055T transistor and am running a 10mm white Led off the E/C . I have to use a current limiting resistor to protect the Led & Transistor sofar I have not had to add a heat sink to the transistor.I am going to see how many Led's will run on the secondary and will post the results.Here are some Picture's. Tec

[Vaporizer]

Hi Tec & all.
Glad to hear of your success Tec.
Is that one of the 3" from the place you listed above?
Also, what resistance was used for the base and how many winds on the core?
I've tried the MJE3055 and I like it.

I tore down one of the new smaller spiral 13w cfls. I tried it on an untuned circuit and it looks promising. Good even illumination brighter than the 9w "U" and I think it may be brighter than the larger 13w spiral. I was hoping for this from the shorter tube length.

[Tectalabyss]

12 Volt JT

Hi Tec & all.
Glad to hear of your success Tec.
Is that one of the 3" from the place you listed above?
Also, what resistance was used for the base and how many winds on the core?
I've tried the MJE3055 and I like it.

I tore down one of the new smaller spiral 13w cfls. I tried it on an untuned circuit and it looks promising. Good even illumination brighter than the 9w "U" and I think it may be brighter than the larger 13w spiral. I was hoping for this from the shorter tube length.

Hello Vaporizer ans All.
@Vaporizer Yes That's the 3 Inch from BGmicro. The variable resistor is a 900 ohm. My Primary is 4 and 16 winds 26 agw on the 4 and 22 agw on the 16.I used a 5.6 ohm 5 watt sandstone resistor to protect the transistor.The secondary is made up of 6 conductor 22 agw wire about 15 feet long it has an output of around 215 volts. I plan on replacing it with 28 or 30 agw wire.any Ideal on the how many winds I should use? I am going to make another and try to tune it better. Included a picture. I am glad to hear that your smaller bulbs are doing well Tec

[Vaporizer]

Wow, that a respectable output voltage with those winds. It would be way less with 1.25v. If you want a higher voltage...more secondary winds...current will be less, but most stuff we are using doesnt seem to care much as long a voltage is there.
Jenna had stated that on the secondary 7v per LED. That should keep you from blowing them starting out with to few.

[NickZ]

Guys:
In case you haven't seen it yet Lasersaber just came up with another video of... I forget what he called it but, you should all check it out.
He lit a CFL using just some caps. Just one cap... Ha! It's similar to what I'm working on, but I'm using a Captret - Jt connected to Leds.
In anycase, it blew me away... Thanks Laser...
YouTube - Joule Ringer! Light keeps going with battery disconnected.

[Tectalabyss]

Lasersaber

Guys:
In case you haven't seen it yet Lasersaber just came up with another video of... I forget what he called it but, you should all check it out.
He lit a CFL using just some caps. Just one cap... Ha! It's similar to what I'm working on, but I'm using a Captret - Jt connected to Leds.
In anycase, it blew me away... Thanks Laser...
YouTube - Joule Ringer! Light keeps going with battery disconnected.

Hello NickZ & All.
I watched that today.Blew me away looked like the 1 inch toroid's stacked together the neat thing was that it would keep running after he unhooked the battery's just on the radial standard caps.he also stated it wouldn't work with super cap's & that you had to reapply the battery for just a second or two every now and then or it would stop ringing. But sofar except for Plengo's circuit that's as close has I've seen a self runner come.NickZ Plengo Is doing something right up your alley He is on YouTube It's Called Captret and Tesla Switch Check this out !!! He May be doing some that will give you a Ideal on what you are working on. He is also on Overunity.Com. Look for him There.Happy New Year Everyone. Tec

[SkyWatcher]

Hi folks, Wow, lasersaber's circuit sure caught my attention there. I think this is along the lines of Steven Mark's TPU. The high farad super cap. is not allowing a quick enough ringing action. Hi NickZ, I've been building an Adams motor, though I was thinking about an led light system at the same time and it looks like replicating lasersabers ringing circuit might take priority. Hope he posts how he built it and has it wired.
peace love light
Tyson

[NickZ]

@ SkyW:
Nice to see you back. Was wondering where you went off to... That video caught my eye too. So much like what I'm working on, it gave me some hope, to continue on... I knew there was something to that effect, too. Wow, is all I could come up with.

[Vaporizer]

I watched the Joule Ringer vid. Seems kinda odd. That cfl is gonna need 200+ma and abt 400v on the output to light. Yet the circuit didnt die when he got to 1 cap? The stacked 1" cores is a lot to ring back mass wise. I wish he'd just draw it up so others can try to replicate it. That isnt hard to do. Most cant keep a single LED self sustained pulling 1-2 ma even if the whole circuit needs less than 1 ma using a low power 555. The pulse wave form did widen showing a frequency drop, but seemed to stabilize.
If he cant repeat it...ok. If he wont post the circuit details no one stands a chance. I'll leave it at that.

[Jbignes5]

Well it will work with super caps.

Hello NickZ & All.
I watched that today.Blew me away looked like the 1 inch toroid's stacked together the neat thing was that it would keep running after he unhooked the battery's just on the radial standard caps.he also stated it wouldn't work with super cap's & that you had to reapply the battery for just a second or two every now and then or it would stop ringing. But sofar except for Plengo's circuit that's as close has I've seen a self runner come.NickZ Plengo Is doing something right up your alley He is on YouTube It's Called Captret and Tesla Switch Check this out !!! He May be doing some that will give you a Ideal on what you are working on. He is also on Overunity.Com. Look for him There.Happy New Year Everyone. Tec

It will work with super caps it is just you need many in parallel to lower the higher internal resistance that the super caps have. LaserSaber said that it took three super caps in parallel before the circuit started to ring like just one of the electrolytic caps took to work the circuit. This makes the capacitance huge when using super caps but lowers the voltage capability of the circuit. With electrolytic caps you can have less of them and more voltage capability.