In this article we learn how to make a simple DC DC voltage doubler circuit using a single IC 4049 and a few other passive components.
The following circuit can be used for doubling any DC source voltage (up to 15 V DC). The presented design will double any voltage between 4 to 15 V DC and will be able to operate loads at current not more then 30 mA.
As can be seen in the diagram, this DC voltage doubler circuit employs just a single IC 4093 for achieving the proposed result.
Circuit Description
The IC 4093 has six gates in all which are all effectively for generating the discussed voltage doubling actions. Two of the gates out of the six are configured as an oscillator.
The extreme left of the diagram shows the oscillator section.
The 100 K resistor and the 0.01 capacitor form the basic frequency determining components.
A frequency is imperatively required if a voltage stepping actions needs to be implemented, therefore here too the involvement of an oscillator becomes necessary.
These oscillation become useful for initialing the charging and discharging a set of capacitors at the output which amounts to the multiplying of the voltage across the set of capacitors in a such a way that the result becomes twice the applied supply voltage.
However the voltage from the oscillator cannot be preferably applied directly to the capacitors, rather its done through a group of gates of the IC arranged in a parallel way.
These parallel gates together produce a good buffering to the applied frequency from the generator gates so that the resultant frequency is stronger with respect to current and does not falter with relatively higher loads at the outputs.
But still keeping the specifications of a CMOS IC in mind the output current handling capacity cannot be expected to be larger than 40 mA.
Higher loads than this will result in the deterioration of the voltage level toward the supply level.
The output capacitor values can be increased to 100uF for getting reasonably higher efficiency levels from the circuit.
With 12 volts as the supply input to the IC, an output of around 22 volts may be acquired.
Robert Deutsch says
I need to convert the output from a single AAA battery or two in series to provide a positive voltage of not less then 3 volts with a power requirement of a maximum 50ma with as few parts as possible because of space restrictions.
Swag says
If you are using two in series that would readily give you the required 3V. If you intend to use a single 1.5V cell, then you can try the following concept:
https://homemade-circuits.com/1-watt-led-driver-using-joule-thief/
olupot says
hello sir the circuit works but now how can i modify it to power a 30watt load thanks
Swag says
Olupot, this circuit cannot be used for high watt application, you can try the following concept instead
https://homemade-circuits.com/2013/03/simple-dc-to-dc-high-current-voltage.html
Arun Jock says
can u please state the diode spec its not proper i need to build this circuit
Swagatam says
diodes are 1N4148, or 1N4007 will also do….
Arun Jock says
thank you i was really inneed of this doubler
Swagatam says
you can also refer to this article
https://homemade-circuits.com/2011/12/how-to-build-simple-hi-efficiency-led.html
Unknown says
sir, we have research study now, and its all about 12 volts dc to 24 volts dc voltage multiplier. and our teacher ask how to calculate from 12 volts to 24 volts dc theoretical solution.
she want to have solution.
we give here a formula which Vout=2 x Vin., and she said wrong…
sir is there any solution for that?
thankx sir…
Swagatam says
For a boost converter or a transformer voltage doubler the formula could be
V(in) x I(in) = V(out) x I(out)
cuyler wilkinson says
just for you Swagatam : tell teacher is like getting boob job,double to start out with then fall down as it age
Swagatam says
microfarad will need to be first converted to Farads for getting correct results
Puneet Sharma says
hello sir how are you
pls tell me sir how to calculate resistance and capacitance value for ic is there any formula
i found one in led chaser f= 1/1.39xRxC f is frequency is this correct whats 1.39 here sir pls tell me sir how to do it
Swagatam says
Hello Puneet, the C will need to be in Farads, did you convert it in farads first??
jennifer says
Hi hitman (I hope you are NOT a real hitman, hehe),
We have seen DC to DC voltage doubler circuits with IC 4049, or IC 555 or with some transistors (usually compromising some current) but isn't there a way to double (or at least increase) current without sacrificing voltage? IC 4049 can double the voltage but with max 30mA current or IC 555 with max 50mA but isn't there anyway to double the voltage and current with high amperage current? But then if we can double or triple the voltage and current as well, problably it would be like asking for free energy, isn't it? Anyway, your insights will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Swagatam says
Hi Jennifer, i wish I could be like him….I like playing hitman very much!
Regarding free energy one should always remember that you cannot generate anything above the input, in fact the output will be always less than the input.
Same is true for the above circuit, even a high current voltage doubler circuit would provide a shade less power (V x I) than the fed total input power (V x I)
One such design has been discussed in this article:
https://homemade-circuits.com/2013/03/simple-dc-to-dc-high-current-voltage.html
I appreciate your interest in electronics, normally girls don't enjoy technical subjects.
Regards.
jennifer says
Thank you for your nice reply. I think it is just the quest for a feasible and cheap alternative energy (that is what I am interested in) is what driving me to enter into technical arena like this (though my background is not in physics or electronics) and that is why I ask many questions. I like to understand how and why your circuits works and how you derive to certain calculations (voltage, current, resistance, etc.) rather than just following the circuits without understanding it. Your ideas are very impressive and interesting. I will be asking you more questions over the period of time. By the way, how would you light your room with a solar power if you are living in the 19th floor of a 33 story building where you would not be able to wire your solar panel/battery from the roof to all the way to your room? Maybe when your inductive battery charger is capable of charging a battery in your room with the solar panel mounted on your roof? Do you see this is happening in the near future?
Swagatam says
You are welcome Jennifer!
The inductive transfer of power so far is an inefficient technique, and doesn't look feasible until super conductors or super PV cells become a reality and easily accessible.
Deriving solar power somewhere at the middle of a high storey building presently would be achievable only through cables, no other option looks great! However one option would be to transform the windows and the walls of the building into solar energy generating devices.
Recently I watched "ecoplolis" on discovery channel, an excellent program which presents future scientific prospects, and ways to deal with the growing power crisis, and pollution in most innovative methods.
An excerpt can be viewed here.
http://science.discovery.com/video-topics/gadgets-and-tech/ecopolis-living-roof.htm