Trying to make the circuit attached work.

I am using a 200ohm resistor instead of 350ohm. 2n2222 transistor, 4007 diodes.

Instead of the fluorescent I tried it with a string of LED christmas lights. No-go.

Measuring on a multimeter, I get varying readings, peak of about 49v AC.

Is there a reason why the voltage is not getting high enough?

 

Hello,

The fluorescent works on high voltage and low current.
The leds work on a much lower voltage and will draw much more current.
The small transformer probably will not manage that.

Greetings,
Bertus

 

I think your 1.5v battrey voltage drops to 1V or less when you overload the circuit with the Christmas lights. The little transistor should blow up instead.