Alex writes -
"Here's the schematic, it works as a voltage converter to draw just 20mA from a 1.5V cell to light that white LED. The term 'Joule Thief' is used because the circuit will work from a cell which would otherwise be considered spent. I found that if the batteries in my Gamecube Wavebird controller stopped working, the same "spent" batteries will quite happily run this torch for a couple of weeks. Continuously." - Link.
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Posted by Phillip Torrone |
Jan 7, 2007 02:39 PM
DIY Projects, Electronics |
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This is a great idea to make them for all the dead Batt. you have around!
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Big Clive has a joule thief which is tiny enough to fit in the case of an old torch bulb!
http://www.emanator.demon.co.uk/bigclive/joule.htm
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I should have checked the HOW TO link at the bottom of this post, as it already mentions Clive's circuit. Whoops! :D
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That image reminds me: I found a ghetto way to make a "circuit board" with friendly plastic and copper wire. When the plastic is still soft--or after you've softened it with a lighter (actually a hot air blower would be ideal)--you can press wire or components into it. Using this method you could make both the battery case and the board for small projects.
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The Web site mentioned in this article has moved... http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/alxsmith/HowTo/011JouleThief.html
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