This is a Cadillac Joule Thief with six features.
  • Fits comfortably into a pocket.
  • It is built of SMT components on a IC socket platform.
  • It can drive different color and size LEDs.
  • It does Suck a Battery almost completely Dry
  • It will be used to test different brands of AA battery capacity.
  • Yes, it can be used as a Continuity Tester

Sorry, but this project requires advanced soldering skill to build !

 
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Step 1: Assembled Thief

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Bright Pocket Flash Light
  1. Easy to hold
  2. Pointing toward the iCamera
  3. Aim a narrow beam 10' across the room to see the LCD weather station
  4. Close up of LCD station illuminated by a single LED from 10' across the room
  5. LED lightning a tall Victorian ceiling
  6. Detailed component descriptors


beehard44 says: Dec 18, 2011. 11:00 AM
i somehow got the idea of making my own joule thief IC...
I like how you made the main part of the circuit detachable
iceng (author) in reply to beehard44Dec 18, 2011. 11:31 AM
Thanks :-)
Its for a future light project that I want to make using it....

A
irlolcopter says: Nov 10, 2011. 2:20 AM
"They feature a built-in synchronous rectifier, which improves efficiency and reduces size and cost by eliminating the need for an external Schottky diode."
Is a quote from the MAX1675 website.
is it possible you could have a go at tweaking this circuit to see if it could be further simplified?
just wondering
iceng (author) in reply to irlolcopterNov 10, 2011. 4:45 PM
Thanks for reading the details.
Yes.... it works without the extra diode however
They also say the Schottky diode helps the unit to start at a lower voltage.

Isn't that the point when sucking energy out of a battery ?

A
extremeseeker says: Oct 9, 2011. 6:20 PM
could you use it to transfer electicty
iceng (author) in reply to extremeseekerOct 9, 2011. 9:29 PM
It IS transferring electricity from the battery to the LED
bajablue says: Oct 9, 2011. 3:05 PM
Voted! ;-)
iceng (author) in reply to bajablueOct 9, 2011. 4:46 PM
You are very Kind.

I'm approaching a just few bits away from where you
created a healthy serving for my centennial soriee :-D
TheHawkeye says: Oct 8, 2011. 2:00 PM
Great project. What if you could shrink it into a broach, necklace, or earrings?
iceng (author) in reply to TheHawkeyeOct 8, 2011. 11:20 PM
Thanks for the compliment.
Some time ago some one made earrings that lit and twinkled.
Ingeniously the battery was a button cell on the inside of the clasp.

A
extremeseeker says: Oct 8, 2011. 6:22 PM
could you use it to store electricity?
iceng (author) in reply to extremeseekerOct 8, 2011. 10:46 PM
Only for a few microseconds, it is not the kind of storage device you seek.
This thing works like an other jewel thief, it uses a magnetic coil or coils
to transform voltage and current to suit the LED in the circuit.

A
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