The article explains an alternator power booster circuit which was unveiled by one of the keen followers of this blog, Mr Michael Mbamobi. Let's learn more about the details.
Technical Specifications
There is this circuit I want to show you. I want to show you the circuit through Homemade Circuit or Brighthub.
I didn't see how I can upload picture there. Please direct me I can sent this through Homemade Circuit. Anyway I uploaded the picture here! see the circuit and find out what these our Nigerian Guys are up to. I only hear about this type of device here in Nigeria.
I bought it and disassembled it. With your ability as Engr. Swagatam Majumdar, you can build a better device that can perform this same thing without depending on their own construction.
The folks call this an alternator power booster! It enables small gensets support loads bigger than their coils and feel alright with it without yearning!
I disassembled it carefully because D1, R1, R2, C2 and Q1 are obscured inside a glue like paste.
AC IN is from a small 650VA Generating set which is normally incapable of powering the connected loads.
The diode polarity and the value is not certain but this is its place in the circuit. It got broken while dismantling the glued circuit.
Q1 couldn't be traced either because the print was scraped of by the manufacture.Only its pin#1 and pin#3 responded to the DMM, it read zero like a dead diode, pin#2 does not read with any other pin at all. Pin#4 which is the tab is also unconnected.....just cannot figure out the device or its specs.
The diode D1 is blue in color, small glass type.
Solving the Circuit Request
Dear Michael,
It looks like an AC voltage booster circuit to me. Q1 is probably a power triac, the diode might be a diac DB-3, I am assuming this since it's small glass type and blue in color.
I would be addressing this circuit in my blog very soon....kindly stay tuned for the updates in my blog.
Thanks and Regards.
Circuit Explanation
The circuit appears to be a simple AC voltage booster. The main part which is responsible for supplying the excess power is the high voltage capacitor C1 which charges up with each AC cycle and reverts the power through the switching triac into the connected load.
The load thus gets added power due to the switching high voltage capacitor through the triac.
The triac is probably a BTA41/600A, which responds and switches ON as soon as the diac fires. The minimum voltage required for the diac to fire is around 30 volts.
The above concept can also be implemented with the following circuit which is simpler than the above and is also a lot cheaper.
The capacitor ratings may be modified and experimented with as per the load, and individual preferences.
However this circuit can be used only for heater applications such as irons, heaters, geysers, ovens, toasters, blowers, dryers, hot air gun etc.
Mains Voltage Booster using Two Capacitors and Two Diodes
Please use 1N5408 diodes instead of 1N5402, mistakenly shown in the above diagram.
Okcahi Johnson says
thank you Michael,plz i need this generator booster circuit diagram that can carry AC electric motor at least 1/2 or 1.0 HP, unlike the one that carries only boilers and heating elements . i love your works.Thanks and waiting.
gateman says
Mr. Micheal (Warbabylon) can help us with the complete circuit. Many of us are yet to get this circuit working. Thank you as you share.
Swag says
the last one has been tested by me, not quite sure about the first one…
Aljonguigue says
This is my email… Sir so pls…. Help me… Sir. Aljohnguigue@gmail.com
Aljonguigue says
Sir can u help me with my project in school….. I want to know on how to make a power booster…. With the help of you…..sir.. Example. When I have a 3000 watts generated power..I want it to boost into 6000watts or something higher than 3000 watts..
Swag says
Aljonguigue, that’s a technically impossible thing to achieve, you can never boost power. you can boost voltage or current, but the output net V x I will be always lower than input V x I
Saimtronics says
the circuit above with triac operates on the principle of controlling the firing angle of the triac
nnaemeka ekele says
Hello swagatam, am really glad meeting your post on this. Actually I've seen a generator booster that you can actually use with electric iron and heater. At the moment, am trying to reconstruct this circuit believing I will get my required result of a booster. I have all the components from the above diagram and am about to test it out. Please I have a 104/400v capacitor and a 3.5uf/400v capacitor mostly found in ceiling fans. I hope it will do the trick. Pls am really concerned about the booster circuit and I humbly ask you to throw more light on that. Thanks
Swagatam says
Thanks nnaemeka, a booster will work only if the input source has enough stock current, if it lacks current then the booster will fail to sustain the load.
you can use the mentioned fan capacitors for the second circuit…the shown design has been tested by me with a soldering iron and it worked perfectly making the iron red hot within minutes, and I had to switch OFF the supply to prevent the iron from burining.
nnaemeka ekele says
hello ive tried it using the fan capacitor and didnt get a feedback. please what should i do? Also, i saw a picture circuit where 13005 transistor was used with two 100k resistor, one 16k resistor and a ceramic capacitor probally a 1uf/400v. i coundnt get the actual circiut diagram. pls could you help me discover if the above components can be used effectively to boost electrical equipments like electric iron and heater. Thanks
Swagatam says
hello, I had used PPC capacitor in the second design, I could instant results from it, I am not sure why your capacitors didn't work?
The diagram at the top is the only one that i have, which was given to be by one of the readers.
Swagatam says
..I do not have much idea regarding the working of the first diagram as I am having difficulty in simulating it in my mind…so I can't help you with it…
ndukuba cyprain says
yeah,I like electronics , its most important and usefull thing in the world,but am still getting up in to it, i need an inverters way at an electronics ,I need help Swagatam
Swagatam says
Thanks Nukuba, if you have any specific questions, please feel free to ask…
Paul says
Hello once again sir Swagatam..
can i use this 2 non polar cap. 105J400V and 2 IN4007 instead of IN5408? its not available here.
Thanks Again..
Swagatam says
HiPaul, yes it will do…two parallel 1N4007 may not be required, you can use single 1N4007 diodes since the load in your case is small….
Paul says
hello sir Swagatam,
Our grid is 170 volts which is a low voltage and my soldering iron is rated 220 volts 40 watts?
can this be helpful to power up my soldering iron?
thanks again sir..
Swagatam says
yes the circuit will work for raising the 170V to 230V and more
Paul says
Hello Sir Swagatam..
Can i use this 2nd circuit for soldering iron that is connected to a low voltage grid?
Thanks in advance…
Swagatam says
Hi Paul, yes you can do it…
Ello Oku says
Can this work on solar powered inverter?
gabriel agyela says
Engr.Swagatam
I commend u for this wealth of knowledge you always made available to anyone who demand of it.my question is; can a variable resistor and additional capacitor be use to vary the amount of current that the load receive.In due course I will upload another circuit of the same function with the one mr Michael uploaded for your input and analysis. this is because this circuit has a variable resistor of 250K
Swagatam says
Thank you Gabriel,
Actually I am not sure about the first circuit since it was drawn by assuming the stages.
in the second circuit the current is controlled by the capacitor values….however this cannot be made variable.
If you have a more appropriate diagram you can surely send it to me for publication.
Anonymous says
Help Mr. Swagatam!
You must confess you doing a great job here sharing a vast and use full knowledge freely whereas others would request some bulk for it.
Mine is a case of not getting the required output of 220v from my 3.1kva generator, it has dropped to 190v. Please how do I increase it back to the normal output.
Swagatam says
Thank you very much!
A generator output is mainly dependent on the RPM of the alternator, which is governed by the correct timing of the CDI sparks….so may be the CDI sparks are not firing correctly in the ignition chamber of the generator…so perhaps this issue could be identified and rectified appropriately
Anonymous says
hello Mr swagatam honestly you are doing a good job here and I like ur site.
please this second circuit I implemented it but when I tested it with voltmeter it was producing high voltage but yet it could not power pressing iron as u said it can only power resistive load only. please can u put me through on this
Swagatam says
hello, thanks you…I had tried it successfully on a 25 watt soldering iron but yours is a 1000 watt press iron which might require a huge current….therefore the capacitors must be rated accordingly, may be upto 50uF to 100uF….but should be non polar type….you can try connecting many 105/400V capacitors in parallel for acquiring the results.
Anonymous says
thanks for ur response Mr Swagatam i will try high value capacitor like you said
Olutayo Aboyade says
hello sir how was your day. my 1hp eletric pump affect my generator when ever i use it to pump water. is there any circuit solution for this to add to my 2.5kva generator to power it.
Swagatam says
hello olutayo, a 2kva generator should easily handle a 1hp motor, you must first check how much current the motor is trying to draw for the pumping operations, if it's more than 5 amps then probably you may have to replace the generator with a higher rated model.
Nwachukwu-Ejekpe Chibuzo says
Sir, still on this matter: if am able to buy one and send it to you will it help to solve this mistry and share the knowledge as you have been doing so kindly?
In all honesty your kind is very rare.
I want to say again that am highly impressed and humbled by your openess and willingness to share what you know and guide others like me without attaching a price.
People ask same questions and you patiently give answers and where you do not know you are humble to admit. Thank you, thank you and thank you again.
Am learning bit by bit, I loves electronics hopefully someday I will be good and able to help others too.
Finally, I did write you requesting for a circuit to help me charge my nicd drill batteries. You promised to look into it. Just a friendly reminder
Swagatam says
Thank you so much Nwachukwu, actually I have already published it in this site…you can check it out here:
https://homemade-circuits.com/2016/05/cordless-drill-battery-charger-circuit.html
chinaza onyenkwere says
Ok sir. Which circuit should I work on?
Secondly if it's the second one, does it require a transformer because transformer was mentioned in one of the comments yet I didn't see a transformer in the circuit. Please help me out.
Swagatam says
I have tested the second circuit with my soldering iron and it worked perfectly…so you can try the second circuit…transformer will not be required, just connect the source supply across the shown input wires, and the output wires can be connected with the load.
adding more capacitors in parallel will allow you to get more current for the load
chinaza onyenkwere says
From Onyenkwere Chinaza.
Please I use a 1000W pressing iron and I use a 650VA small generator. Does it mean that this circuit can help me use the iron with the generator?
If yes which circuit will work. The first or the second?
In the second is there a transformer involved?
Forgive me for the many questions, I'm a newbie in this field.
Swagatam says
No, the above circuits will not increase wattage or power, these circuits will only boost the voltage to double or triple values
Imuze Barnabas says
I have to agree with my fellow Nigerians that this thing WORKS… Its still kinda strange to me how the circuit could possibly make a 500W generator power a 1500W electric Iron, but somehow it works…perfectly in fact….for heating applications only though. Iron, cooker, electric kettle, .. It goes crazy on any other kind of load like a fridge…. I'd really like to know how this works… The mystery is eating me…
Sos Sos says
Hi.
I want to view Posted circuit pictures. How do I view them because they don't seem to appear when I click on them?
Swagatam says
Hi, place the curser over the image, and click when it turns into a "hand" icon
emmanuel imafidon says
Hi Mr swagatam please can you device a circuit that can power fridge using
Triac diac and Micah capacitor please I need it urgently thanks Emmanuel Obayagbona
Swagatam says
Hi emmanuel, can you please specify what exactly are you trying to achieve…if it's getting more output than the input then I am sorry that's impossible and not feasible….
emmanuel imafidon says
But Mr swagatam,is there no alternative booster circuit Tha can power a fridge using tiger generator??
Swagatam says
can you specify the input power specifications and the fridge voltage and watt specifications, to be able to understand the situation.
yuzie says
Dear swagatam,
What rate (in VA) ur circuit above, and can it use for air conditioner 1hp inverter?
Swagatam says
Dear Yuzie,
the above circuits will work only with resistive loads not with inductive loads, and an inverter is an inductive load.
EKEH EMMANUEL CHIJIOKE says
as i posted earlier, i bought one of those power optimizer and i use a 650va generator set (called i pass my neighbour). this gen can not power up a 1500watt electric iron or heater but with the use of the optimizer/ power booster i was able to iron effectively and heat up my water several times and the first diagram looks exactly like d one i have. how i wish there is a way i an send u a snap shot of the components so u take a look at it yourself
Swagatam says
if you are able to generate 1500VA from a 650VA source by any method then that's a miracle and you must show it to the world, the idea can you a millionaire.
As for me I have no idea how to do it, as I told you before I am unable to simulate the first circuit so can't help with it.
a snap shot will not help because that will not reveal the circuit details or the component details of your circuit
EKEH EMMANUEL CHIJIOKE says
I BUILT THE SECOND CIRCUIT YOU GAVE SIR BUT IT DIDNT WORK. WHEN I PLUG IT TO LIGHT THE SOCKET COMES ON BUT WHEN I PLUG AN ELECTRIC IRON TO THE SOCKET, THE LIGHT GOES OFF BUT MY GEN REMAINS ON. PLS WOT EXACTLY COULD BE THE PROBLEM. I NEED UR HELP PLS
Swagatam says
I am not sure what you are trying do?
If you are thinking that this circuit will boost wattage then you may be wrong…the circuit will not boost wattage.
if your iron wattage is too big for the generator then no circuit in this world would be able to make it function.
the second circuit above will not boost voltage provided the wattage of the load is much smaller than the wattge of the fed input
Swagatam says
….sorry I meant
the second circuit above will only boost voltage provided the wattage of the load is much smaller than the wattage of the fed input
EKEH EMMANUEL CHIJIOKE says
am confused sir u said and i quote "The capacitor ratings may be modified and experimented with as per the load, and individual preferences". what exactly do u mean by this? is it that the 105/400v can be increased or reduced? if that is true what will be the effect of such increase or reduction? also if i have a 600va gen set and i want to use a 1500watt iron on it, will ur modified circuit work? if no what do u advice?
Swagatam says
yes you got it right, by increasing the uF of the capacitors in the second design you can increase the current or the wattage handling capacity of the circuit
but you cannot increase the output wattage than the input wattage by using any method, anywhere in this universe, that's not feasible.
EKEH EMMANUEL CHIJIOKE says
pls sir i bought one of those power optimizer as it were called and dismantled it and the circuit looks exactly like the first one uploaded and it was working fine but when i dismantled it, i discovered that the component numbers were wiped off, so my question is this, cant the first one work owing to the fact that it really worked when bought and secondly what is ur take sir. pls reply me and once again thanks for educating me alot
Swagatam says
Ekeh, if it was working before means it is a good design, but may be you broke something while trying to dismantle it, there must be something that was hidden and secret which you might have broke and that's why it isn't working now….
I am finding it difficult to simulate the first design so I can't suggest my opinion about it.
Anonymous says
greetings to u sir and i do appreciate ur explanation and help rendered on this work. but i v few questions to ask pls, the 105/400v i assume are capacitors? if that is true pls are they polarized? second are there similar circuit like this that can be used on appliances like fridge, ac and pumping machines that d power can b reduced so that small gen sets can power them? pls i await ur reply but u can email me on ekehemmanuelchijioke@gmail.com or cjemma2002@yahoo.com. pls i await ur kind reply and thanks
Swagatam says
greetings anonymous, yes those are capacitors and must be strictly non-polar.
these will work only with resistive loads like incand bulb, heaters, soldering iron, and NOT for inductive loads such as fridge or other loads having motors.
john ocharive says
thanks for your explanations on this booster. actually I have built the first circuit by mr Michael and I connected the positive to Q1 instead of negative and the device worked without any humming noise but when I reversed my connection to as it is in the drawing above I.e with negative to Q1 I discovered that the device was humming, and also I connected a metre to the output socket the output with out load was 50v but with load 100v. please can you explain these my discoveries.
more so, instead of a ceramic capacitor can't I use polarised ones because I have 4700uf 25v &1000uf 25v and I have IN5392MIC.
lastly can I use a diode instead of diac? thank you.
Swagatam says
to me the first circuit doesn't make any sense at all. C1 is connected directly across the power rail meaning it will only waste power and do nothing.
even if the circuit works it won't do anything significant.
the second circuit suggested by me has been tested by me and it really works, but only for resistive loads such as heaters
4700uF/25V will give you a big explosion.
Eno Igbe says
please what will happen when there is high or normal voltage conditions, won't it blow up the appliances?
Swagatam says
yes it will damage the load (resistive only) if the input voltage is restored back to normal.
Eno Igbe says
Mr. Swagatan, please what exactly is the booster used for or what is the purpose of the booster?
Swagatam says
Mr Eno, in the above shown circuits it's for boosting the performance of resistive appliances during low voltage conditions.
Anonymous says
thanks i will correct that.But master,pls show d way to bring up myself like you in this field of electronics.i want to be good & creative like u.pls i need ur candid opinion.pls kindly email me on:ajoy4me96@yahoo.com
Swagatam says
It will take time…just keep investigating the circuits and the concepts theoretically and practically, when in trouble put up your question here to get them answered appropriately…in this way you will be able to gradually grasp the many aspects and get stronger in the field.
Anonymous says
master i build ur circuit,but it did not work whenever i apply input to it.i use two104k/250v in parallel=500v and also the other side.then i soldered with 1N4007s.pls give me clue to thisproblem
Swagatam says
it should be 105/400V not 104/400V. 104 = 0.1uF, 105 = 1uF so pls correct this in your circuit.
Stephen Emmanuel says
please mr swagatam how can i make the above circuiy yo power a refrigerator
Swagatam says
the above circuits will work only for heater types of resistive loads, not for other appliances.
Anonymous says
Pls Mr Swagatam, can this this cct be used to power electric fan? Bcos u said its not good for inductive load. Tanks
Swagatam says
It's not recommended, but you can give it a try, if there's no audible noise from the fan then it could be fine.
Rahmon Tijani says
I think the triac use in mr micheal cct is BT151 but the diode I can't tell. Pls try complete the cct ƒσя ♏ε̲̣̣̣̥
Anonymous says
Hello swagatam,
The two component I used was 105k400v and IN5401, I couldn't find IN5402 but I connected it thesame as you did. Could that make my iron not toc ome on?
Swagatam says
1N5401 is not a problem, and if you are using a soldering iron at the output even a 1N4007 will work as diodes.
check the capacitors, they might be faulty.
Anonymous says
Hello swagatam,
I built the above second diagram but when I plug my iron there voltage output seize while the generator light was still on. Infact the problem is that the iron did not come on? Please what would be the problem.
Swagatam says
It would be difficult to troubleshoot without seeing, actually my prototype worked very well, in fact the connected soldering iron became red hot within a minutes time and I had to switch power off to prevent the iron from blowing off.
Anonymous says
please can you send me the list of the component and the complete circuit diagram to ekemwhite@ovi.com. THANKS
Swagatam says
everything's already furnished in the above article.
Stevike says
Helo swagatam, pls what is the function of C2 and how does the power booster circuit double the the current without taking the actual current the iron was surppose use when connect direct, pls explain more about the use C2 ,why must it be 0.1uf. How does C1 contribe to the power because its connected accros the main AC line which may not so much affect the circuit
Swagatam says
Hello Stevike,
C2 may not have any effect here because with every negative cycle it would get discharged across the mains line.
The above circuit was referred by one of the readers and might not be entirely correct, it's would be difficult to simulate it in mind.
srihari vadlamudi says
Hai. This is Srihari from Andhra Pradesh. I am trying to prepare a household inverter to run 1.5ton Air condition will u please suggest me a circuit diagram and the capacity.
Swagatam says
hello,
you can try out the following design:
https://homemade-circuits.com/2013/05/full-bridge-1-kva-inverter-circuit.html
Pranav BM says
Dear Swagat,
Can we use your design as Voltage Booster for A/C units, or is there any circuit to boost voltage from 120/150V to 220V to run an AC 1.5 ton
Swagatam says
Dear Pranav,
The above circuit is not suitable for appliances, a step up transformer is the best option transformer
Pranav BM says
OK ji, can you ref a circuit design for voltage booster from 120V for AC unit form 1 to 1.5 ton
Swagatam says
i couldn't find any suitable circuit link.
Pranav BM says
ok, thanks for your effort
seun saka says
Nice one though….my question is that is it possible to connect a refrigerator to the voltage booster circuit considering the generator is 650va rated…..2, does adding this boster means more fuel consumption on the part of the genset?…..3, what is the adverse long time effect of using the booster
Swagatam says
thanks, this circuit is only suitable for resistive loads, nothing else would work with this circuit.
WALEMOLOYE says
Warbabylon, please let's see the complete circuit.
Warbabylon says
Haroon, there are two diagrams above, though the first one (by me) is not complete but I can complete it now, which one did you try?
WALEMOLOYE says
Mr Michael, kindly let us see the working cct you've been able to put together.
Anonymous says
Mr. Micheal, pls can you send me d cct diagram, I try using. D power capacitor as shown above, but it did not work out. Pls sombody should help me out. Haroon
Warbabylon says
I am the Michael.
Concerning the main topic of this Article, I have joined the pieces together!I now know what these folks in Nigeria hiding in a small box and hiding it as if it were a nuclear bomb fuse! This is a very simple thing to do, only that I have ignored triacs in my circuit designs
The big benefit of my curiosity is that it made me to go deep in learning triacs and diacs, their applications and their characteristics.
Thanks Engr Swagatam. I now have other ideas for this circuits.
Swagatam says
You are welcome Michael!
Anonymous says
In the above circuit by Mr.Michael the whole arrangement is after LOAD (in Neutral line) except capacitor so how it works as Voltage booster?
In your circuit no any red wire (connected to load) return to neutral.
Swagatam says
C2 charges via R1 and R2, when it's fully charged the diac fires, this inverts the AC mains along with the C1 charge voltage into the load through Q1.
This also discharges C2, and momentarily Q1 switches OFF and the cycle repeats.
In my circuit the output is a pulsating DC which is equal to almost twice the AC input.
Warbabylon says
Anonymous asks:
In the above circuit by Mr.Michael the whole arrangement is after LOAD (in Neutral line) except capacitor so how it works as Voltage booster?
To my understanding, this circuit can only be used for Resistive loads. The LOAD itself is part of the circuit and the circuit is complete with the LOAD connected. Another thing, it doesn't have polarity as it is AC mains. The whole arrangement can be on the phase (Live).
onoriedode francis says
Hi michael…..good day,i'm Francis…..please could you share the circuit with me?!!!!!!!!?
Anonymous says
Yes the transformer is 4 kgs and battery is 7amp but it cannot even light up a zero bulb
i am using 100nf (104z) cap, dont know why it not giving at least 60 watt
Swagatam says
The circuit is OK and it should work.
check the mosfet connections, the drain must go to the transformer taps.
100nF = 104 = 0.1uF is correct