Another Electrolysis question

[white halftrack]

I have been seeing some questions on Electrolysis lately and decided to give it a try with some rebar, washing soda, a 5 gallon bucket and my battery charger. It seems to be working as it is bubbling. I have not checked progress yet.

My first question for those of you experienced with this. Does a chain work to suspend the part or does that not have a good enough contact?

I am using it on my 2 amp setting. Does a 10 amp go faster, or just waste electricity?

The instruction I saw show that i should have several electrodes/rebar sticking in the water solution, but what if I cut a propane tank in half, hooked a cable to the metal and suspending the part in the solution? Would a 2 amp trickle charge work or with a larger container, more amps needed?

I am pretty excited by this as I have never messed with it and it seems to be working. I hate sandblasting and the mess/prep/danger that goes with it.

Jason

 

[GlenIdaho]

Not that I have that much experience, but I have learned that having a good contact with the part is essential. If you can wire the part to the chain and have a good contact then it should work. I also found that a 5X6 inch piece of sheet metal works better that anything smaller. I have read that stainless steel works even better and lasts longer. It was suggested that going to a second hand store and buying stainless steel lids is a good source.

I have used washing soda and lye. I found the lye works faster. Just be sure to do it oputside becuase of the gas it produces.

Two amps should work. I don't know if more is better. I did find that the parts had to be buffed with a wire wheel to get the crud off. Hope this helps.

 

[white halftrack]

I thought I read that stainless steel was a no no. Must have read something wrong.

 

[George D.]

Yeah, I heard that too. Something about making toxic by-products (Chromium hexide, maybe? I'm not a chemist), and these by-products a) shouldn't be breathed; b) shouldn't be allowed to touch your skin without immediately washing it off; and c) shouldn't be dumped down a drain or onto your driveway because of toxins.

Sounds like bad stuff.

Isn't it easier to just use plain ol' steel? I've heard used lawnmower blades work real well.

-- Geo. D.

 

[Ncorrigible]

Chain can work, but there are some number of contact points between links that at least start out rusty making them less than ideal conductors - the rust will go away from the chain in the solution so you get some benefit. I used either thick or thin fencing wire to suspend parts. Thin for most stuff because it is so easy to work with, thick for heavy parts. Fencing wire is cheap and I always keep it on hand. It isn't a fussy process - I also used 14 gauge copper wire with alligator clips to connect parts together. The process did not eat the copper or the clips.

 

[souNdguy]

10a is faster.

chain works.. but can loose connection.. can help it with a piece of wire...

the cut tank will work as it wil be an anode all by itself.. mind you.. it will eventually erode away and form a hole.. and will be electrically + so nothing associated with the work piece can touch it. i'd remove any coating or paint on the inside of the tank if any exists..

do this in a well ventilated area.

soundguy

 

[DollarBill]

Keep in mind that over time all the rust that is removed from the project will collect on the anode and will either need to be cleaned or replaced. I usually pressure wash and wire brush the array after running the process for several days.

As others have stated the chain links will loose connectivity over time.

I've often thought about using a metal container as one of the electrodes - If you decide to try it, I for one would love hear the results.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I have a follow-up question to add. If your piece is too big for your tank, is it ok to partialy submerge then turn over and submerge the other end? I have a rops that I would like to try. Thanks

 

[norm s]

More amps is better/faster. I have used lawn mower blades and they work fine - what you are looking for is surface area - the more the better. Just clean em off between batches. I use chain to suspend parts and have never had issues. To the question of a big part, you sure can do half at a time then flip over to do the other half. I have a 55 gallon plastic barrell and a 32V lotsa amps golf cart charger - you wanna talk about lots of bubbles coming off I"ve found electrolysis to be a very effective way to clean complex parts where you can/don"t want to get into with sand blast. Even carbs with small holes and such.

 

[souNdguy]

yep..

 

[white halftrack]

Thanks for the responses again everyone. I am enjoying the new process. I will try it out on a set of weights.

Jason

 

[white halftrack]

Thanks for the responses again everyone. I am enjoying the new process. I will try it out on a set of weights.

Jason