https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Joule_thief --- # Wikiwand Article Joule ringer" redirects here. For charge measurement circuits, see [Coulomb counter](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Coulomb_counter "Coulomb counter"). A **joule thief** is a minimalist self-oscillating [voltage booster](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Boost_converter "Boost converter") that is small, low-cost, and easy to build, typically used for driving small loads, such as driving an LED using a 1.5 volt battery. It can use nearly all of the energy in a single-cell [electric battery](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Battery_(electricity) "Battery (electricity)"), even far below the voltage where other circuits consider the battery fully discharged (or "dead"); hence the name, which suggests the notion that the circuit is "stealing" energy or "[joules](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Joule "Joule")" from the source – the term is a [pun](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Pun "Pun") on "jewel thief". [](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Joule_thief#/media/File:Conventional_Joule_Thief_with_red_LED.jpg) A conventional joule thief, showing components and how they are connected. This example uses a red [LED](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Light-emitting_diode "Light-emitting diode"). A [ferrite](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Ferrite_(magnet) "Ferrite (magnet)") [toroid](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Toroid "Toroid") is wound to form a coil with primary (white) and feedback (green) windings. A [PN2222A](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/PN2222 "PN2222") [transistor](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Transistor "Transistor") and 1000 [ohm](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Ohm "Ohm") [resistor](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Resistor "Resistor") are used [](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Joule_thief#/media/File:Joule_thief.jpg) A joule thief with two axial inductors replacing the ferrite toroid, shown on a solderless [breadboard](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Breadboard "Breadboard") The circuit is a variant of the [blocking oscillator](https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Blocking_oscillator "Blocking oscillator") that forms an unregulated voltage boost converter. # New Ideas ## Boost Converter vs. Joule Thief There are apparently 0.3V or lower input voltage boost converters. Boost converters have the same issue as all battery powered devices in that the input voltage generally needs to be able to turn on a transistor. ## Battery Recycling [Wikipedia Article on Battery Recycling](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battery_recycling) Consider the machinery involved for processing dead Alkaline Cells and producing Ingots. Honestly, probably more interesting than the Joule Thief thing lol. ## Other Research Topics https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dry_cell ## Alkaline Cell Data Sheet Harvesting ### LR-Series Alkaline Battery Datasheets |**IEC Code**|**Common Name**|**Datasheet Link**| |---|---|---| |LR1|N|[Kodak LR1 Datasheet](https://kodakbatteries.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/KN-LR1-Datasheet-Ver-2.3.pdf)| |LR03|AAA|[Panasonic LR03 Datasheet](https://www.trustedparts.com/en/manufacturers/panasonic-batteries/LR)| |LR6|AA|[Alkaline Battery LR6/AA Size Product Specification](https://www.farnell.com/datasheets/1728769.pdf)| |LR14|C|[Panasonic LR14 Datasheet](https://www.trustedparts.com/en/manufacturers/panasonic-batteries/LR)| |LR20|D|[Panasonic LR20 Datasheet](https://www.trustedparts.com/en/manufacturers/panasonic-batteries/LR)| |6LR61|9V|[Panasonic 6LR61 Datasheet](https://www.trustedparts.com/en/manufacturers/panasonic-batteries/LR)| ### List of IEC 60086-2 Category 1 Batteries *aka general purpose Alkaline Cells* - **LR-series (Alkaline):** - LR8D425 - Alkaline N - LR1 - Alkaline N - LR03 - Alkaline AAA - LR6 - Alkaline AA - LR14 - Alkaline C - LR20 - Alkaline D - 6LR61 - Alkaline 9V - **FR-series (Lithium):** - FR10G445 - Lithium AAA - FR14505 - Lithium AA - **R-series (Carbon-Zinc):** - R1 - N - R03 - AAA - R6P - Carbon-Zinc AA - R6S - Carbon-Zinc AA (Heavy Duty) - R14P - Carbon-Zinc C - R14S - Carbon-Zinc C (Heavy Duty) - R20P - Carbon-Zinc D - R20S - Carbon-Zinc D (Heavy Duty) # Research ## Cell Chemistry Zinc-Manganese Dioxide Cells AKA Alkaline Cells These cells are non-rechargeable and utilize a zinc anode and a manganese dioxide cathode, with an electrolyte typically consisting of a potassium hydroxide (alkaline cells) or ammonium chloride/zinc chloride (zinc-carbon cells) solution. 1. **Anode:** Zinc 2. **Cathode:** Manganese Dioxide 3. **Electrolyte:** Potassium Hydroxide ## Performance Characteristics **Discharge Curve:** Alkaline cells exhibit a flatter discharge curve compared to zinc-carbon cells, maintaining voltage stability over a longer period. **High Drain Applications:** Alkaline cells outperform zinc-carbon cells due to their higher capacity and better resistance to polarization effects. **Operating Temperature Range:** -20°C to 54°C, though performance may degrade at temperature extremes. **Shelf Life:** Typically 5–10 years due to lower self-discharge rates (2–3% per year at room temperature). **Internal Resistance:** Lower internal resistance compared to zinc-carbon cells, allowing better performance under high-drain conditions. **Capacity:** - **AA (LR6)**: 2000–3000 mAh - **AAA (LR03)**: 850–1200 mAh - **C (LR14)**: 6000–8000 mAh - **D (LR20)**: 12000–18000 mAh - **9V (6LR61)**: 500–700 mAh **Environmental Impact:** Alkaline cells have a reduced environmental impact compared to zinc-carbon cells due to lower levels of hazardous material usage and better recycling programs. **Leakage Resistance:** Modern alkaline cells incorporate advanced seal designs to minimize electrolyte leakage. ## Energizer E91 Alkaline AA Battery Datasheet - **Nominal Voltage**: 1.5 volts - **Nominal Internal Resistance**: 150 to 300 milliohms (fresh) - **Operating Temperature Range**: -18°C to 55°C (0°F to 130°F) - **Typical Weight**: 23.0 grams (0.8 oz.) - **Typical Volume**: 8.1 cubic centimeters (0.5 cubic inch) - **Jacket**: Plastic Label - **Shelf Life**: 10 years at 21°C ## Industry Standard Tests ![[Pasted image 20250109175929.png]] From the [[Energizer AA Battery Datasheet.pdf]]: 1. RADIO/CLOCK 2. PERSONAL GROOMING 3. PORTABLE LIGHTING 4. TOY 5. CD/GAMES 6. DIGITAL AUDIO 7. DIGITAL CAMERA ### Who makes the Standards? IEC - International Electrotechnical Commission IEC 60086 - Primary Batteries ANSI C18.1M - Primary Batteries The ISO does not have battery testing protocols The standards include the following: - **Electrical Load Profiles**: - Specifies current levels, duty cycles (e.g., continuous, pulsed, or intermittent), and durations. - **Cut-off Voltage**: - Defines when the test ends (e.g., when voltage drops to 0.9 V for alkaline cells). - **Environmental Conditions**: - Includes temperature and humidity requirements to ensure consistent and comparable results. - **Reporting**: - Requires clear documentation of results, including voltage curves and runtime. Example Tests included in IEC 60086-2: - **Digital Camera Test**: - Pulsed discharge profile of 1000 mA for 2 seconds followed by 8 seconds of rest, repeated until the cut-off voltage is reached. - **Clock Test**: - Continuous discharge at 10 mA until the voltage drops below 0.9 V. - **Lighting Test**: - Continuous discharge at 500 mA to simulate flashlight use. ### Where to get the Standards #### Standards.iteh.ai - Do Not Trust *I was able to find a 15 page preview of the 2021 copy of the IEC 60086-2, but to get the full thing I think I'm going to have to pay for it or something.* https://standards.iteh.ai/catalog/standards/clc/0a42b542-0f08-40c6-90e0-10ae9fe9e51b/en-iec-60086-2-2021?srsltid=AfmBOool0DKQk6zE6XUAyD0C9uGABTf-jXsbikYMwbzH6e9pJfJSjVfI - Source for standards, engineering specifications, manuals and technical publications - In a collaboration with Slovenian Institute of Standardization we provide standards from ISO, IEC, CEN, CENELEC, ETSI, and SIST ![[Pasted image 20250109180724.png]] The site seems suspect. Thankfully there are many places to source Standards documents. ##### IEC 60086-2 Direct Source https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/60969?utm_source=chatgpt.com *$320 in Swiss Francs? Can't be doing this.* *Good to know for now but I can probably piece together the info I need from mfg datasheets* #### Specified Voltage at Battery Discharge Termination **Cut-off Voltage**: The voltage of a battery at which the battery discharge is terminated. Also sometimes called "end-of-discharge voltage". This is the voltage level at which a battery is considered fully discharged, and further discharge is either not possible or not recommended to avoid damaging the battery or affecting its performance. **Defined in:** [IEC 60050-482:2004/AMD1:2016](https://webstore.iec.ch/en/publication/24390) Amendment 1 - International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) - Part 482: Primary and secondary cells and batteries **Purpose**: - Protects the battery from over-discharge. - Ensures the battery operates within safe and efficient ranges. **Typical Values**: - For primary **alkaline cells (1.5V nominal)**: The cut-off voltage is typically **0.8–1.0 V per cell**. - For rechargeable cells (e.g., Li-ion, NiMH): The cut-off voltage varies based on chemistry, typically **2.5–3.0 V for Li-ion** and **1.0 V for NiMH**. **Dependent Factors**: - Chemistry of the battery. - Application (some devices have adjustable cut-off thresholds). **Discharge Characteristics**: - Once the cut-off voltage is reached, further discharge may lead to rapid capacity loss or irreversible chemical changes in the cell. #### Standardized Battery Categories Defined in IEC 60086-2 Batteries are categorized into the following groups: ##### Category 1: General Purpose and Alkaline Cylindrical Batteries Cylindrical zinc-carbon, alkaline manganese, and lithium iron disulfide cells commonly used in consumer electronics. ##### Category 2: Cylindrical Lithium Batteries High-energy lithium cells with superior performance, designed for industrial, medical, and specialized applications. ##### Category 3: High-Voltage or Special-Purpose Cylindrical Batteries Unique cylindrical batteries with uncommon designs and voltage specifications for niche use cases. ##### Category 4: Button and Coin Batteries Small, compact cells (e.g., alkaline, silver oxide, zinc-air, lithium) for watches, hearing aids, memory backup, and compact devices. ##### Category 5: Other Round Batteries – Miscellaneous Non-standard round batteries combining multiple cells or unique configurations for specialized applications. ##### Category 6: Non-Round Batteries – Miscellaneous Rectangular, prismatic, and block-shaped batteries for diverse applications like lanterns, cameras, and smoke detectors. #### List of Batteries by IEC 60086-2 Category ##### Category 1 batteries: R1, R03, R6P, R6S, R14P, R14S, R20P, R20S LR8D425, LR1, LR03, LR6, LR14, LR20 FR10G445, FR14505 ##### Category 2 batteries: CR14250, CR15H270, CR17345, CR17450, BR17335 ##### Category 3 batteries: LR9, CR11108 ##### Category 4 batteries: PR70, PR41, PR48, PR44, PR1154 LR41, LR55, LR54, LR43, LR44 SR62, SR63, SR65, SR64, SR60, SR67, SR66, SR58, SR68, SR59, SR69, SR41, SR57, SR55, SR48, SR54, SR42, SR43, SR44 CR1025, CR1216, CR1220, CR1225, CR1616, CR1632, CR2012, CR1620, CR2016, CR2025, CR2320, CR2032,CR2330, CR2412, CR2430, CR2477, CR2354, CR3032, CR2450 BR1225, BR2016, BR2320, BR2325, BR3032 ##### Category 5: Other round batteries – Miscellaneous 2CR13252 4LR44 4SR44 8LR932 AR40 5AR40 6AR40 5PR175/172 6PR 225/155 ##### Category 6: Non-round batteries – Miscellaneous 3R12P, 3R12S, 3LR12 4LR61 CR-P2 2CR5 AS4, AS6P, AS6S, AS8, AS10, AS12, PS8S, PS8P, PS10 4R25X, 4LR25X 4R25Y 4R25-2, 4LR25-2 6F22, 6LR61, 6LP3146 6AS4S, 6PS4S, 6PS4P 6AS6P, 6AS6S, 6PS6P, 6PS6S