Build This Simple 1.5 Volt Oscillator.
Added 2017-04-14 02:02:06 +0000 UTCThis very simple 5 component oscillator will operate from a 1.5 Volt source, and light a super bright white LED, bright enough to be used in a small flashlight. Then we modify the circuit and make an led glow right down to .25 Volts with a standard pair of silicon transistors. Build this circuit on your breadboard and see what kind of results you can get, post your results below. I will re-visit this project and explain the function, compare this to how you figure it works. If you don't have the components and a breadboard, no worries, just follow along.
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Comments
Nice explanation; you, sir, are a good teacher. This has really helped.
Joe Vaclavik
2026-01-10 13:57:36 +0000 UTCWorks nicely with BC series transistors. I used a BC557 in place of the 2N3906 and a BC547 in place of the 2N3904. Just had to be careful as the pins are in revere order in the BC series, i.e. CBE from left to right rather than EBC for the 2N's. Used a 1N49018 switching diode + 33uH choke,
John
2026-01-03 15:16:08 +0000 UTCThis looks remarkably similar to the Joule Thief circuit that Clive Mitchell (Big Clive) came-up with a decade or so back.....a spin-off, perhaps? I believe that he got the input voltage down to unbelievably-low voltages by going with a germanium transistor, but the circuit is picky about component selection, as I recall. Loads of fun, if you enjoy fiddling. ;) It *is* fiddling with a purpose, though.
Allan Gabston-Howell
2025-09-03 19:37:11 +0000 UTCWorked with two 1.5v aaa. Dead bug, parts from old backlight tv power supply and red led.
Richard
2025-01-16 19:24:37 +0000 UTCThank you Mr. Paul
LoSaYa
2022-10-19 17:21:54 +0000 UTCAfter building this circuit, it operates down to about 1/2 V at 1.25 to 1.5 MHz at 3ma. This simple oscillating circuit of the NPN transistor is very cool.I like how you used to build up and collapse of the magnetic field through the inductors to create the voltage necessary to light the LED. After installing the .1 Mfd bypass capacitor for the power supply it made a huge difference in how low I could bring the voltage down.(i’m using a switching power supply maybe that has something to do with it)
George Seits
2021-12-28 23:34:52 +0000 UTC
